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The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Four Johor schools join global project
Onn Hafiz (left) at the smart classroom of SMK Tasek Utara, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star THE Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) have made history as the first government institutions in Malaysia to be recognised as Apple Distinguished Schools. This global honour was previously reserved for fully residential institutions. Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the achievement marked a significant milestone in the state's vision to prepare students for a highly competitive, digital future. 'SRBJ now joins an exclusive group (outside of nine other schools in Malaysia, all of which are fully residential) to receive this international recognition from Apple,' he said. Aznan said 2,496 iPads would be distributed to 2,264 students and 213 teachers under the initiative, through a strategic collaboration between the Johor government, Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation, Apple Education and sponsor QSR Brands. He added 212 educators had been sent in phases to the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore for training in pedagogical innovation, STEM subjects and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) standards – in preparation for a dual-curriculum model that included both national and international examinations. 'Johor's education system must evolve to meet global expectations and SRBJ is just the beginning,' he told reporters after a parents and teachers sharing session at SMK Tasek Utara in Johor Baru. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the SRBJ initiative, which involved four pilot schools, was undergoing a transformation worth RM30mil, with RM6mil allocated by the state government and RM24mil pledged by corporate partners. He added that the initiative, inspired by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, aimed at producing world-class students who could thrive in a digital, borderless world. 'The Regent does not want our children to be left behind. 'His vision is for Johor to produce the best students in the country, capable of competing globally,' he said in his speech at the event. The four SRBJ schools – SMK Tasek Utara, SK Tasek Utara, SMK Kota Puteri and SK Kota Puteri 4 – were chosen from more than 1,190 statewide. These schools have since been upgraded with smart classrooms, AI-integrated computer labs, modern canteens, teachers' lounges, amphitheatres, outdoor learning hubs and performance studios. 'We want every teacher to be comfortable and every student to thrive,' said Onn Hafiz. SRBJ students will also sit for international exams such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), alongside Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), within the next two years. 'If they fail these exams, the SRBJ mission would have failed,' he said in calling for full cooperation from all stakeholders. All SRBJ students from Year 4 onwards, along with their teachers, will also receive tablets provided under Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation's corporate social responsibility initiative. 'These are not for games. They are tools to expose our children to cutting-edge technology.' Onn Hafiz also said RM27bil in foreign direct investments recorded in the first quarter of 2025, reinforced Johor's need to cultivate top local talent. 'With high-paying job opportunities coming into Johor, we want our children to study, succeed and serve right here in Johor,' he said.
Sassy Mama
27-05-2025
- General
- Sassy Mama
1 In 3 Students Attain PSLE AL1 Scores At This Tuition Centre, Here's Why Parents Keep Choosing Them
As parents, we want to support our kids the best we can. Finding the right help at The Learning Lab can make all the difference. If your child is in primary school, you'll know that PSLE is a huge milestone for both the child and the parents. Effective PSLE prep can do wonders, not just to give your child a confidence boost, but also to allow parents to focus on being supportive. For many parents, The Learning Lab is the key to a smooth PSLE journey. With more than 20 years of experience under their belt, a thoughtful teaching approach that helps students build a strong academic foundation and a genuine love for learning, it's no wonder so many families continue to return to The Learning Lab. A track record that speaks for itself – but it's more than just grades It's the results that first catch our eye: 1 in 3 students scored AL1 in English, Math or Science in the 2024 PSLEs. Half of their students scored a PSLE Achievement Level of 8 or lower, and 60% scored AL1 or AL2 in the subjects they received support at The Learning Lab. But what sets it apart? They've got a magic spark that makes students excited to learn. Lessons at The Learning Lab aren't about drilling information. Instead, they are crafted to spark curiosity and build deeper thinking. With resources like retrieval practices and error analysis worksheets, students become more independent and resilient, skills that will help them thrive beyond the exam hall. Classroom materials at The Learning Lab are carefully crafted by 40 in-house curriculum specialists. Everything is aligned with the MOE syllabus, but it's standouts like the 'Staying Plugged In' (SPI) curriculum series that takes learning one step further. Real-world events such as Polling Day or the wildfires in L.A. are integrated into lessons, cultivating a global perspective in young learners to show them that what they are learning matters. 'My children look forward to their lessons every week,' says Mr Alvin Lian, dad of two students from The Learning Lab. 'Often, they are excited to share the things they have learned from their lessons!' he explained, noting that he's observed how his sons think critically and deeply about issues around them. Personalised teaching that meets your child where they are On top of their effective curriculum, the teachers at The Learning Lab take the time to understand the child, their learning habits, strengths and areas where they need additional support. It's this personalised approach that can give your child the boost they need, not just academically, but in how they approach learning altogether. As Primary 6 student Sarah Choong puts it, 'I found the notes really helpful. One thing I really took away from my lessons with TLL was the importance of flexibility […] I realised that learning is not really about memorising. Even though I read as much as I could, what I really really appreciated [was] learning how to fit examples into my work in a proper way.' With committed teachers, a well-designed curriculum and an environment that builds confidence, The Learning Lab helps students not just meet, but exceed their goals. And the shift in learning mindset? That's priceless. If you've been looking for that extra edge and a place where your child will feel supported, challenged and inspired, look no further than The Learning Lab. Join thousands of families who trust The Learning Lab to help their children reach their PSLE goals and beyond. Enrol your child for Term 3 and discover how the right guidance can make all the difference. Be one of the first 50 parents to sign your child up to enjoy a complimentary trial class for a new subject. This promotion ends 30 June 2025. The Learning Lab, multiple locations in Singapore including United Square, Tampines, Woodleigh and Jurong East, [email protected], Tel: (+65) 6733 8711,
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Over RM30 million allocated to upgrade four SRBJ schools
JOHOR BAHRU: Four Bangsa Johor Pioneer Schools (SRBJ) will be upgraded in phases starting at the end of this month, with funding exceeding RM30 million. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said RM6.22 million has been allocated by the state government, while RM24 million comes from private sector sponsorship. The schools, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Kota Puteri 2, SMK Tasek Utara, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Kota Puteri 4, and SK Tasek Utara, will be equipped with smart school facilities and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. 'This is part of our plan to upgrade the schools, but improving infrastructure alone is not enough. Our goal is for Johor to become a developed state by 2030. To achieve that, we need a major shift, and it must start with education,' he said during a townhall session with SRBJ teachers and parents today. Also present were State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin and State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah. Meanwhile, Aznan said the state government, through the Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation, is collaborating with Apple Education to strengthen the SRBJ initiative. He said through sponsorship from QSR Brands, 2,496 iPads have been provided for 2,264 students and 213 teachers. 'These four SRBJ schools have also been recognised as Apple Distinguished Schools. Globally, there are only 1,000 such schools, and just nine in Malaysia. 'Of those, five are boarding schools and four are SRBJ - making them the only daily schools in the country with this recognition,' he said. Aznan added that the state aims to use the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) as benchmarks to raise the quality of SRBJ education. 'Students will need to be assessed before they can sit for these exams. For now, the PSLE and IGCSE question standards will serve as our benchmark,' he said.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools undergo RM30mil transformation
JOHOR BARU: The Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) initiative will undergo a rapid transformation worth RM30mil, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. He said the initiative is part of the state's plan to develop world-class education and position Johor as a leading state by 2030. 'The Johor government has allocated RM6mil, and RM24mil has been pledged by corporate partners investing in Johor, bringing the total support for SRBJ to RM30mil. "Student success is not the responsibility of schools alone. It must be a whole-of-community effort. If SRBJ succeeds, we can expand this model to many more schools across Johor," he added. He said this during a speech at the SRBJ Parents and Teachers Sharing Session at SMK Tasek Utara on Saturday (May 10). He added that the SRBJ initiative was inspired by the vision of the Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, who was concerned about the challenges faced by children in a digital and borderless world. "The Johor Regent does not want our children to be left behind. His vision is to produce the best children in the country, who can compete on equal footing with their peers globally," he said. The four selected schools are SMK Tasek Utara, SK Tasek Utara, SMK Kota Puteri, and SK Kota Puteri 4. They were chosen from over 1,190 schools in the state to pilot the initiative. 'These schools are equipped with smart classrooms, AI-integrated computer labs, upgraded canteens, teachers' lounges, amphitheatres, outdoor learning hubs, and performance studios. We want every teacher to be comfortable and every student to thrive,' he said. In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Onn Hafiz emphasised the importance of academic excellence, noting that SRBJ students will sit for the PSLE and IGCSE examinations alongside the SPM within the next two years. 'If they fail the PSLE or IGCSE, we will have failed the SRBJ mission,' he warned, urging full collaboration between teachers, parents, and the government. He added that all SRBJ students from Year 4 onwards, as well as their teachers, will receive tablets to enhance digital learning. These are not for games, said Onn Hafiz, but to expose students to cutting-edge technology. The devices and training are sponsored by the Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. Onn Hafiz also highlighted Johor's recent economic achievements, stating that foreign direct investments (FDI) hit RM27bil in the first quarter of 2025 alone — surpassing the RM20bil recorded for the whole of January to September in 2024. 'With high-paying job opportunities coming into Johor, we want our children to study, succeed, and serve right here in Johor,' he said.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7
Students applying for DSA must still sit their respective national examinations. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7 SINGAPORE - Students who wish to apply for direct admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) may do so from May 7. Those who wish to apply for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) can start doing so from May 20. Applications for early admission to polytechnics start on June 2. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on May 6 that the Direct School Admission (DSA) allows students to enter secondary schools and JCs based on their interests and aptitudes, beyond their performance at the national examinations. Students will be considered by the respective schools they have applied for. Schools can admit up to 20 per cent of their students through the DSA, said MOE. According to checks by The Straits Times, 142 secondary schools and 20 JCs will be participating in the DSA exercise. Students applying for DSA must still sit the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) or O-level examinations. If a DSA offer is made to them by the selected school, students have until the indicated deadline to accept the offer, which will be before the release of the national examination results. For students moving on to secondary school, they will be guaranteed a place in their selected school, provided they accept the offer and their PSLE result meets the minimum requirement for a posting group that the school admits students from. MOE posts students to secondary school through three posting groups: G1, G2 or G3 . G1 will roughly correspond to today's Normal (Technical) standard, G2 to Normal (Academic) standard, and G3 to Express standard. Similarly, those who applied to JCs will be guaranteed a spot provided that their O-level results meet the minimum requirements for admission. Once students accept a DSA offer, they will not be eligible to participate in the S1 posting exercise or Joint Admissions Exercise . They will also not be allowed to transfer to another school after obtaining their examination results. Primary school pupils and their parents may submit DSA applications via from 11am on May 7 to 3pm on June 3 . Applicants need to fill in only one online form , and can select up to three choices of school and talent area offered by the school. Applicants can indicate the same school up to two times in their application. Students applying for DSA to JCs can go to for more information, or visit the JCs' websites for the application period, procedures and selection criteria, as these vary between schools. Early admissions into ITE and polytechnics The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) is applicable for those wanting to further their education in an ITE or polytechnic. Under the EAE, applicants are considered based on their aptitude and interest in a specific course, as well as relevant work experience for working adult applicants. Applicants may need to submit portfolios or undergo interviews and take aptitude tests as part of the selection process. Graduating secondary school students who would like to enter ITE can go to for more information on the application procedure and entry requirements for the courses they are interested in. Applications will open from May 20 to 26. Meanwhile, graduating O-Level students who would like to enter polytechnic can submit their EAE application from June 26 to July 2 , while final-year ITE students can submit their EAE application from June 12 to 18. Applicants can find more information on the application procedure and entry requirements at Those successful will be given an offer by the chosen ITE or polytechnic before receiving their final examination results. They must meet the Minimum Entry Requirements for the selected course in order for the offer to be confirmed. Those who accept a place via the EAE cannot participate in other ITE or polytechnic admission exercises. Working adults can also apply for EAE to enter ITE or a polytechnic. They must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents , and have at least two years of relevant work experience. EAE applications for working adults into ITE and polytechnic will open from May 20 to 26 and June 2 to 29 respectively. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
