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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
MB: Kemas to serve as launchpad for Bangsa Johor pilot schools
KLUANG: Johor has begun aligning Kemas preschools as feeder institutions for the state's flagship Sekolah Rintis Bangsa Johor (SRBJ), a move that marks a major shift in early childhood education. Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the alignment will involve curriculum coordination, particularly the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) elements. "This transformation will elevate Johor's preschool education to a more competitive and future-ready level," he said after the Kemas Johor 2025 Madani Community Empowerment Programme launch at Dewan Muafakat in Simpang Renggam here yesterday (June 3). More than 1,500 Kemas EMAS personnel from across the state attended the event. The Bangsa Johor pilot school initiative, launched in 2022, aims to create a holistic and identity-driven education system tailored for Johor students. SRBJ schools emphasise unity, academic excellence and values-based learning rooted in local identity. To support the integration effort, the Johor government allocated RM1.5 million to upgrade Kemas-operated preschools and kindergartens, with another RM1.8 million channelled into the Iqra' and Fardu Ain programme to strengthen religious education. Onn Hafiz also presented the Kemas Outstanding Educator Award to two long-serving educators for their contribution to early childhood development in the state. "Johor remains committed to shaping a generation that is not only knowledgeable but also rooted in values," he said. Kemas preschools are part of the early childhood education programme offered by the Community Development Department in the country. They provide early education for children aged 4 to 6 years, preparing them for primary school, and fostering social and communication skills. Kemas also operates nurseries for children aged 2 to 4.
The Star
5 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.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Call to ease burden on teachers in state
THE plight of teachers and the importance of fostering nationhood among students took centre stage at the Johor state assembly. Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (Muda-Puteri Wangsa) voiced concern over the growing strain on educators, especially when they were expected to juggle non-teaching tasks. She urged the state government to ensure that teachers were not weighed down by administrative duties, particularly as the Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) initiative got underway. 'As the child of a teacher, I saw how my mother had to handle tasks such as planning lessons, managing the curriculum, overseeing facilities, handling administrative work and still keeping track of students' attendance. 'Please allow educators the space to focus on teaching Johor's students,' she said at the sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar. Amira Aisya also proposed integrating a teaching support system into the SRBJ initiative to enhance classroom instruction. 'This approach is already in place in many countries. 'If Malaysia isn't ready, Johor should take the lead and empower our educators to deliver quality education,' she said. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi previously described SRBJ as a transformative programme to raise the state's public education system to world-class standards by 2030. It is aimed at addressing the challenges children face in an increasingly digital, borderless world. Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah (BN-Mahkota) proposed including nationhood in the SRBJ syllabus, noting that while the programme emphasised STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and English, it also aimed to develop well-rounded, principled youth. 'While we aim to produce marketable individuals to meet job market demands, nationhood is equally important and should be included in the syllabus so that students understand the principles of the Rukun Negara and the Constitution. 'I suggest that nationhood be introduced as an additional subject in SRBJ to help develop patriotic and united youth who can navigate development and progress,' he said.
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Johor To Consider Integrating Values Education Into Pilot School Programme
ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Johor government is weighing a proposal to embed values education into its Bangsa Johor pilot school (SRBJ) programme, which aims to nurture a generation of well-rounded, socially responsible students. State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin said that the initiative could draw inspiration from Japan's values-based education model. He said the move would complement the existing Johor Student Character Module (KrMJ), which promotes traits such as discipline, integrity and leadership among students. 'The goal is to develop students who not only excel academically, but who are also grounded in character and able to contribute meaningfully to society,' said Aznan, who is also the assembly member for Tanjung Surat. He said this in his closing remarks during the Johor Legislative Assembly sitting at the Sultan Ismail Building here today. The SRBJ initiative, launched in February, is currently being piloted in four schools. It will be evaluated over a one-year period to determine its effectiveness. However, Aznan said any potential expansion of the programme would require careful planning, ongoing stakeholder engagement and demonstrable results. He noted that while interest in the initiative is growing, the state government will adopt a cautious approach before considering its implementation statewide. The Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail, who first proposed the SRBJ concept, last week expressed satisfaction at its progress. He voiced hope that the programme would serve as a model for a more inclusive and progressive education system.
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.
