New school curriculum to introduce Sabah identity elements in Year One and Form One next year

Kota Kinabalu, Sept 12 — Elements highlighting Sabah's identity will be integrated into the upcoming school curriculum for Year One and Form One students, announced Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek. This move was part of the agreements reached during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting held today.

Fadhlina affirmed that Sabah Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib offered his full backing to the plan. During a press conference following a handover ceremony for the Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah and Sekolah Kebangsaan Buit Hill projects, Fadhlina emphasized the significance of incorporating Sabah's identity into the curriculum for enhancing ties among Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, which she termed crucial to Malaysia's strength.

By introducing these elements, the younger generation will gain a deeper understanding, appreciation, and respect for Sabah's rich cultural heritage while facilitating its broader dissemination through the national curriculum. Fadhlina also disclosed that the appointment of new teachers and principals and headteachers in Sabah was nearing completion.

Concerning the state's dilapidated schools, Fadhlina reported that progress was promising, with some projects already finished and others under construction or in the pre-implementation phase. The Ministry of Education is diligently monitoring these projects in collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR), to ensure seamless upgrades.

Earlier in her address, Fadhlina revealed that 245 dilapidated schools in Sabah had been entirely rebuilt, while another 63 were currently under construction, and the rest were at various stages of implementation, amounting to a total of 416 schools earmarked for complete replacement.