KUALA LUMPUR: The Form Six learning system should be reviewed to better reflect its post-secondary education status, says Malaysian Muslim Teachers’ Association (iGuru) president Mohd Azizee Hasan.
This includes the rules enforced on students as well as the syllabus, and the establishment of a special institution for Form Six studies, he said.
Mohd Azizee believes it would be better for Form Six studies to be separated from the mainstream school system by setting up more Form Six colleges nationwide.
“It is also proposed that its learning system, including the semester system, as well as teaching and learning methods, be implemented in tandem with universities,” he told Bernama.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said during the Temu Anwar Negri Sembilan programme that Form Six education in the country should not be too bound by school rules but be given some space even though it is conducted on school grounds.
Anwar said the Form Six environment needed to be changed as it was post-secondary education just like matriculation studies.
Sharing the same sentiment, National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said the setting up of a special college for Form Six studies would also make the management, learning, and placement of teachers easier.
According to him, this could also attract Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers to continue their studies in Form Six because they no longer have to deal with the school rules and environment.
“Take the matriculation college as an example. Many students compete for their admission because it has a physical college and the brand.
“So, if Form Six has its own college, it will be able to draw SPM holders’ interest and serve as a branding tool for Form Six education,” Fouzi added.
Forest Heights Seremban Form Six College Student Executive Council president Muhammad Hakim Mohd Syafawi lauded the proposal, describing it as a positive move as they no longer need to be treated like mainstream students.
“Some Form Six students are required to follow school rules such as limiting the use of gadgets and communication devices and some are not allowed to bring smartphones to class, just like other secondary school students.
“This should not occur because the use of technology in learning is important now,” he said.
Schoolmate Muhammad Amal Khan Abdul Aziz, 19, said they are pre-university students similar to those at higher education institutions at the diploma and matriculation levels, and they should not be bound by school rules.
“Indirectly, this will have an influence on SPM school leavers. Most of them are not interested in Form Six because of that factor. After five years in secondary schools, they will definitely want something new, including a change in the environment, dress code, and so on,” he said.
Muhammad Amal Khan said there needs to be a change in the Form Six environment in order to change the perception of the community, especially young people, so that they are more interested to enter Form Six, which has lower tuition fees.
