KUALA LUMPUR – The Form 6 learning system should be reviewed in order to better reflect its post-secondary education status, said a teachers’ group.
This includes the rules enforced on students, the syllabus, and the establishment of a special institution for Form 6 studies, according to Malaysian Muslim Teachers’ Association president Mohd Azizee Hasan.
He is of the opinion that it would be better for Form 6 studies to be separated from the mainstream school system by establishing more Form 6 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 said.
Yesterday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia that Form 6 education 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 6 environment needed to be changed as it was post-secondary education just like matriculation as school sessions ended in Form Five.
Sharing the same sentiment, National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said that the establishment of a special college for Form 6 studies would also make management, learning, and placement of teachers easier.
According to him, it can also attract Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers to continue their studies in Form 6 because they would no longer have to deal with the school’s 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 6 has its own college, it will be able to draw SPM holders’ interest and serve as a branding tool for Form 6 education,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Hakim Mohd Syafawi, president of the student council at Forest Heights Seremban’s Form 6 College, lauded the proposal and described it as a positive move as they no longer need to be “treated” like mainstream students.
“Some Form 6 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.
A Form 6 student at Forest Heights, Muhammad Amal Khan Abdul Aziz, 19, said Form 6 students are pre-university students similar to students at higher education institutions at the diploma and matriculation levels, therefore they should not be bound by school rules.
“Indirectly, this will have an influence on SPM graduates. Most of them are not interested in Form 6 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.
Amal Khan said there needs to be a change in the Form 6 environment in order to change the perception of the community, especially young people so that they are more interested in entering Form 6, which certainly has lower tuition fees. – Bernama, June 25, 2023
