LETTER | Education is the cornerstone of a nation’s development. However, the current primary school system seems to be straying from its fundamental purpose.
Reflecting on my own education, where basic math and language were prioritised in the early years, it becomes evident that today’s curriculum may be overwhelming students with too many subjects too soon.
Background: In the past, primary education was simple but effective. Basic mathematics and language were the core focus in lower primary, with subjects like science only introduced later. This allowed children to develop a strong foundation in essential skills.
However, the current curriculum introduces complex subjects like science from as early as standard one alongside an array of other subjects, including theoretical physical education. This shift may be contributing to the decline in students’ mastery of basic concepts.
Current challenges: Many children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, struggle to grasp fundamental skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic.
The introduction of advanced subjects at a young age may be too much for young minds to absorb, leading to disengagement and a lack of enthusiasm for learning.
It’s no surprise that many students find school boring and are unable to keep up with the pace of the curriculum.
Reflection: The goal of lower primary education should be to instil a strong foundation in basic literacy and numeracy. However, the current approach seems to dilute this focus by spreading students’ attention across multiple subjects.
While the intention behind introducing science and other subjects early may be to broaden students’ horizons, it could be counterproductive if it leads to a weaker grasp of the basics.
Recommendation: It’s time to revisit and revise our approach to primary education:
Focus on core skills: The primary curriculum should emphasise reading, writing, and mathematics in the lower years. These are the building blocks of all future learning, and students should master these before being introduced to more complex subjects.
Reevaluate science education: If science must be introduced in lower primary, it should be in a simplified form with fewer hours allocated to it. The primary focus should be on fostering curiosity rather than overwhelming students with detailed concepts.
Remove theoretical physical education: Physical education should be about physical activity, not theory. Scrap the textbooks and let children engage in physical exercises that promote health and well-being. If assessment must be introduced, it should be physical or project-based, like presenting about a sport they like, for example.
Frequent assessments: Implement frequent, low-stakes quizzes to test understanding and reinforce learning. These should be simple, focused on core skills, and designed to ensure students are keeping up with the basics.
Periodic syllabus reviews: For primary schools, syllabus reviews should not be about adding more content but about updating the mode of delivery to adapt to technological changes. The fundamentals of education - reading, writing, and arithmetic - do not change, but the way we teach them can evolve to be more engaging and effective.
Gradual introduction of complexity: Introduce more complex subjects like science, history, and geography in upper primary, once students have a solid foundation in the basics.
Our primary education system needs a major overhaul. By returning to a focus on the basics in the early years, we can ensure that all children have the opportunity to build a strong foundation for future learning.
This approach will not only make school more engaging for students but also help them master the essential skills they need to succeed in life.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
