Prof Dr Zaida Mustafa, Dean, School of Education & Humanities, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK) joined Prof Dr Morni Hj Kambrie, (Chairman and Founder of SIDMA College) and took initiative to refresh and enrich teachers in Ranau District to embrace the National Philosophy of Education in their on-going effort towards further develop the potential of every individuals in their respective schools in a holistic and integrated manner. This to ensure that the schools produces individual who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief and devotion to God.
The programme which was jointly organised by Ranau District Education Department, SMK Mat Salleh Ranau, UNIRAZAK and SIDMA College Sabah was attended by more than 60 teachers from all the 10 secondary schools in Ranau at SMK Mat Salleh Conference Room, on 30 January 2020. The schools are: SMK Mat Salleh; SMK Ulu Sugut (Malinsau); SMK Timbua; SMK Ranau; SMK Matupang Jaya; SMK Lohan; SMK Kundasang, SMK Kemburongoh; SMK Bundu Tuhan; and SMK (A) Mohamad Ali.
Referring to the October 2011 comprehensive review of the education system in Malaysia in order to develop the National Educational Blueprint 2013-2025, the decision was made in the context of the raising international education standards, the Government’s aspiration of better preparing Malaysia’s children for the needs of the 21st century, and the increased public and parental expectations of education policy.
Dr Zaida oppugned the teacher’s efforts to educate the students who are physically, emotionally spiritually and cognitively balance, as on which component should they give more focus? In the same breath, she added that researches have shown that 50 % of the contributing factor to learning is students’ self-motivation.
According to Dr Zaida, the role of teachers have changed in recent times. It was once thought that effective teaching pedagogy was to entail strict discipline, rote learning and transmission of information. But effective teachers now are required to engage their students on thoughtful reflection, critical thinking, and self- awareness (Crebbin, 2004; Lunenberg, Korthagen, & Swennen, 2007).
During the session, Prof Dr Zaida discussed and shared with the teachers on the use of National Philosophy of Education in their classroom teaching to enhance the thinking skills of the students. During modern teaching, teachers act as facilitator or guide to encourage children to focus on the content and processes that they are engaged in. This requirement of philosophical thought to pay attention to both content and process reveals the highly meta-cognitive nature of students’ discussion (Silén, C., & Uhlin, L., 2008). The students are required to reflect on the quality of arguments offered by their group members, the meaning underling the argument they are making, and more (Lipman, 1991).
SMK Mat Salleh principal, Mr. Boy @ Sharif bin Francis on behalf of Ranau District Education Department as well Ranau secondary school Principals and teachers congratulated and thanked Prof Dr Zaida for the very fruitful sharing session.
By Teo Eng Seng and Zain Azrai,
SIDMA College Sabah,
KOTA KINABALU
