KUALA LUMPUR – Ten years in the game and award-winning social business enterprise LeapEd is on its way to transform Malaysia’s education landscape through its Trust Schools Programme (TSP).
The programme, which is currently implemented in 13 states and 94 schools, aims at improving the quality of teaching and leadership in government schools.
“TSP is a game changer and demonstrates how change can be achieved in government schools through engagement and interaction with parents, teachers, and the community,” said LeapEd sociopreneur and executive director Nina Adlan Disney.
In 2020, LeapEd celebrated its 10th anniversary as a public-private partnership with the Education Ministry (MoE) and Yayasan Amir, a non-profit foundation.
Revitalizing school culture
“TSP brings about a whole school transformation, through revitalizing school culture, enhancing holistic student outcomes, and works on improving the quality of teaching and leadership in school.
“The education transformation programme, implemented over three years, believes the whole school needs to be engaged, including teachers, students, parents and the community in which the school is located,” said Nina.
She also said her discussions with parents revealed that many felt government schools had lost their lustre, but the TSP aimed to change their mindset.
“The idea is to interest parents in participating in the change they want to see in government schools.”
Nina said in implementing the strategic plan for each school, all parties – parents, principal, and the local education department – were consulted through regular meetings and collaboration.
Preparing students for future learning
Nina said LeapEd’s goal was to prepare students to function in the global environment of the 21st century, through 5 critical life skills of confidence, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and co-existence.
“From 10 pilot schools in 2011 – five in Johor and five in Sarawak – we have grown to 94 schools in 13 states.
“The 10 pilot schools represented a good cross section of Malaysian schools – both primary and secondary, vernacular and multiracial, urban and rural areas,” added Nina.
Nina said the core of LeapEd was to also address the issue of engagement with all three components of the state education system – the state education department, the district education department and the schools.
“The district transformation programme, named DTP-Aman, as it was first implemented in Kedah Darul Aman, was successfully brought to 64 schools there.
“There are eight modules that address global and local digital concerns and empower students to confidently navigate the digital world. Among them, digital etiquette, digital literacy, digital rights and responsibilities.
“This programme was officially launched as a national campaign in 2021 to reach more than 2 million secondary school students in Malaysia.”
Nina also said that she had no doubt that the impact of TSP would continue to grow and provide an education to Malaysian children that would prepare them for future challenges.
Langkawi District Education Department deputy officer in charge of planning Lee Kim Kak said that prior to DTP-Aman, most officers were only skilled in the actual duties and responsibilities of their individual positions.
Since the implementation of the programme, the focus is more on guidance and mentoring to improve the quality of educational services to schools.
“This means providing leadership to improve the well-being of students,” he said.
Among the many initiatives to address learning, while going digital during the pandemic, include the development of CyberWira by LeapEd, which is an e-learning digital citizenship and safety programme aimed at those aged 13 and above.
Ex-DG of education lauds LeapEd’s efforts
Former MoE director-general Habibah Abdul Rahim said that the MoE is glad that while LeapEd keeps track of global trends, the group still manages to formulate interventions that fit the local context.
“I hope that the partnership between the ministry and LeapEd will continue to grow and our journey in education transformation will be successful.
“MoE appreciates the unwavering support provided by LeapEd over the years and we hope that LeapEd will keep contributing to the nation,” she said.
A voice for students
Jayanti Sothinathan, who worked for 26 years as a primary and secondary school teacher before eventually serving as an English teacher trainer at the MoE, said that among her life-changing experiences was choosing to work for LeapEd upon retirement.
“One of the important aspects of transforming schools is to provide opportunities for children, to give them access to quality education through innovative teaching and learning practices.
“At the same time, giving them a voice through student voice groups (SVG) is important for their self-development.
“This instils leadership skills and gives students a sense of ownership, leading to greater confidence and self-esteem.
“An SVG creates thinkers who are able to perform confidently on the international stage, learning vital skills in leadership, presentation, enterprise, cooperation and creativity,” she said.
Judging from the response of students from SMK Bongawan 11, a secondary school located in Kimanis, Sabah, Jayanthi said the SVG was a success.
“Because I am an SVG member, I was able to perform at the national level.
“My academic performance has improved. Student voice teaches me to communicate with the community.”
Ann Jones, a former principal at a private school in Johor and who served as coordinator at Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, said that she joined LeapEd to utilise her skills in improving the public education system.
“To me, the most transformational aspect of the Trust Schools Programme is empowering teachers to personalise students’ learning by differentiating their instruction and diversifying the learning experience to cater to students’ interests and learning styles,” she said. – The Vibes, January 4, 2022
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