Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 Curriculum Development………………....…………………..……...………………2
1.1 Curriculum………………………………...……………………………………..2
1.2 Curriculum Development………...………………………………………….....2
1.3 Importance of Curriculum Development…..................................................3
2 Malaysia Curriculum Development (CDC)……………………………..……….....5
2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………5
2.2 Razak Report (1956)……………………………………………………………6
2.2.1 Purpose and content of Razak Report………………………………..7
2.2.2 Razak Report’s Content………………………………………………..8
2.3 Rahman Talib Report (1960)…………………………………………………..9
2.3.1 Changes and amendments in the Rahman Talib Report………….10
2.3.2 Recommendations in Rahman Talib Report………………………..10
2.3.3 Important aspects of Rahman Talib’s Report……………………….11
2.4 Mahathir Report (1979)……………………………………………………….11
2.4.1 The Cabinet Report (1979)…………………………………………...12
3 Curriculum Development Centre (CDC)……………………………………….....13
3.1 CDC History.……………………………………………………………………15
3.2 CDC Function and Roles.…………………………………………………….15
3.2.1 Function…………………………………………………………………15
3.2.2 Roles…………………………………………………………………….16
4 CDC Contributions to Malaysia Curriculum System
Development…………………………………………………………………....….....19
5 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..…...…25
6 Reference………………………………………………………………………………26
1.0 Curriculum Development
1.1 Curriculum
The definition of curriculum according to the Ministry of Education
Malaysia (MOE) - Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) is that
curriculum is all educational plans run by a school or educational
institution to achieve the goals. It is a plan that incorporates all the
knowledge, skills, values and norms, cultural elements and beliefs of the
community to be passed down to its members. According to Neagley &
Evans, 1992; curriculum means all experiences designed and delivered by
the school. All learning experiences organized for students at every level
in the educational institution (Abdullah Mohd Noor & Ahmad Jaffin
Hassan, 1992). There are also opinions from some experts who say that
curriculum is an effort. A comprehensive effort designed by the school to
guide students towards the learning outcomes. (Inlow, 1976)
To illustrate this connection, let’s hint lower back history. During the
historic times, humans taught their kids understanding and abilities to
survive by means of catching fish or looking animals for food. They had no
formal schooling for the duration of that time, but their children learned
and purchased the know-how and skills for survival. So, during that time,
they already had a curriculum that other educators call as, the saber-tooth
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curriculum. This sort of curriculum refers to a sort of curriculum that
existed for the duration of the historical times in which the reason of
coaching becomes for survival.
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Country’s financial system can improve the people’s way of life via
curriculum development. To expand it, curriculum professionals or
specialists should work hand in hand with lawmaker who includes
senators and congressmen, the local authorities’ officials, governors,
mayors, among others. Likewise, business communities and industries,
and other economically oriented gamers in society may be engaged in
setting and imposing policies and guidelines for educational reforms.
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2.0 Malaysia Curriculum Development
After more than ten decades, international around had witnessed an education machine
in this country exceptionally developed in term of coverage, as well as the contents
being deliver regardless the various forms of schooling that exists. Countless changes
concerning the curriculum along with the teaching methods have been made because
the very beginning. This is for keeping up with the globalization needs and at the
identical time considering the core elements that have to be preserved, to be genuine
our Malaysian values, a crux of the problem in upholding our training device with a
Malaysian identity. In short, curriculum development in Malaysian education is an ever-
changing process which is strongly affected by current trends and issues happening
locally and globally.
This has connection on curriculum development and how Malaysian education system
started and forms. This will be explain briefly through Introduction, Razak Report (1956),
Rahman Talib Report (1960), and Mahathir Report (1979), that have a part in curriculum
development in Malaysia and have a huge impact to the education system.
2.1 Introduction
The Malaysian education system began before the British came to this
country. The history of educational development in Malaysia can be
divided into two sections: Pre-Independence education from the British
colonial period to 1956 and Post-Independence education after 1957.
British arrival and intervention of the 19th century until the 20th century in
the government of Malaya has brought great changes in the political,
economic and social impact on indigenous peoples, and the latter
cosmopolitan society. This has caused a great deal of problems and has
influenced the development of the education system to this day.
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However, the Razak Report (1956) and Rahman Talib Report (1960), has
been the basis of the formulation of the National Education Policy. The
important policies set forth by both reports have been incorporated into the
Education Act 1961.
At the same time KBSR (Kurikulum Baru Sekolah Rendah) in 1983 and
KBSM (Kurikulum Besepadu Sekolah Menengah) in 1989 were
implemented for the purpose of improving the quality of education in our
country.
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Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Hussein
The Second Prime Minister of Malaysia (1970-1976)
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2.2.2 Razak Report’s Content
1) Primary School.
Primary schools are divided into Sekolah Rendah
Kebangsaan (SRK) that use BM as the medium of
instruction, and Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan
(SRJK) that use English, Chinese, and Tamil as the
medium of instruction. Bahasa Melayu and English
become optional subjects. Pupils of Chinese and Tamil
descent in English-medium schools were given the
opportunity to learn their language if 15 or more students
wanted to learn. Teachers must have a Secondary
School Certificate and receive one-year and half, and full-
time training.
2) Secondary School.
Secondary schools are divided into 3 levels: lower
secondary school (3 years), upper secondary school (2
years), and pre-university (2 years). One type of
secondary school only makes Bahasa Melayu and
English as a compulsory subject. Open to all races and
use the same syllabus. To enter high school, you must
pass the examination for high school.
3) Examination System.
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Examination together in
Form 5 of the Federation of
Upper Secondary School Malaya Certificate equal of
Cambridge Overseas
Certificate.
Second-year Pre-U
examination to obtain a
Pre-University Higher Education Certificate
(STP / HSC) to enter
university.
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Diagram 2: Tunku Abdul Rahman
The First Prime Minister of Malaysia (1957-1970)
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6) Proposed to establish Technical Institute in Kuala
Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, East Coast or Johor (carpentry
school).
7) Emphasize moral education; Islamic religious education
will be taught if the student of Islam exceeds 15 students.
8) Primary education is free.
9) The Local Education Authority in the Razak Report was
found to be inadequate; the formation of the Lembaga
Penasihat Pelajaran Negeri.
10)Jemaah Nazir Negeri is established to assist the Jemaah
Nazir Persekutuan.
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Diagram 3: Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
The Forth & Seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia
(1981-2003 & 2018-Until Now)
"To review the goals and effectiveness of the current education system
with the aim of ensuring that the country's human resource needs are met
in the short and long term while ensuring that the education system meets
the national goals of producing a united, disciplined and trained
community." – Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
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3.0 Curriculum Development Centre (CDC)
The Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) of Malaysia has been operating since
January 1973 and became a department of the Malaysia Ministry of Education in May
1974. Its establishment became the outcomes of over a decade of curriculum
improvement efforts through the Ministry of Education. The CDC becomes an outgrowth
of both the First and Second Malaysia Plans.
The CDC is liable for bringing Malaysian curricula updated and ensuring that those
curricula meet the changing needs of the Malaysian society. The major sorts of activities
undertaken by using the CDC consist of studies, assessment, improvement, testing,
training, and extension services associated with curriculum programs.
Projects of the CDC encompass the special undertaking for the improvement of
technological know-how and mathematics teaching within the primary schools (Projek
Khas), the secondary faculty technology and arithmetic task, the language unit and
projects, the populace education undertaking, the social science research venture, the
compensatory education task, the Pahang Tenggara Project, the prototype research
and nice manage unit, the evaluation unit, and the aid center. The history of CDC
projects, Projek Khas and the Lower Primary School element of the Compensatory
Education Project, illustrate the sports and emphases traditional of the pre- and post-
1973 periods within the curriculum reform movement.
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YBrs. Dr Mohamed Bin Abu Bakr
Head of Department
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3.1 CDC History
Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum (BPK), formerly known as the Pusat
Perkembangan Kurikulum (PPK) was established in 1973 as a Unit which
is the Unit Perkembangan Pelajaran of the Bahagian Perancangan
Penyelidikan Dasar Pelajaran. In the same year, the unit was separated
from its main to serve as a new division under the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Malaysia (KPM). The division is responsible for improving the
quality of education through the drafting and development of relevant,
quality curriculum for all government schools and government assistance
at the preschool, primary and secondary. Accordingly, the Pusat
Perkembangan Kurikulum (PPK) at that time acquired its own building
located in Damansara. In 1977, the PPK moved to a new location at the
Ambassador Tour, Kuala Lumpur until December 31, 2004. Starting 1st
January 2005, the PPK is operating in its new building at Block E9, Parcel
E Government Complex, Federal Government Administrative Center,
Putrajaya. Following the restructuring of the Ministry of Education
Malaysia (KPM), effective on 16 June 2008, the Pusat Perkembangan
Kurikulum (PPK) is now known as the Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum
(BPK).
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3) Monitor the implementation of the school curriculum.
- The curriculum development department will also
monitor each and every implementation of the
curriculum in the school whether or not the
implementation is effective. Kadazandusun learning in
each of the selected schools could be an example.
3.2.2 Roles
1) The Academic Registrar has oversight of the curriculum
development and approval process.
- As an example, when a course is changed from
KBSM to KSSM, it requires approval through the
Curriculum Development Division.
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external reviewer’s attendance at a Curriculum Validation
Committee.
- For example, the Kadazandusun DSKP curriculum
based standard became international practices and
have been incorporated into KSSR through drafting of
the Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document
(DSKP) for all subjects that contain Content
Standards, Learning Standards and Standards
Assessment.
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designing the academic content of a curriculum
development and ensuring the development:
Supports a high quality student experience to ensure
students are more competitive in the way they think
and solve problems.
Meet quality expectations and academic standards
that shape learning that will produce quality students
in the future.
Conforms to academic regulations in accordance with
academic rules where students accept the subject
they are taking as an example of whether a student
chooses a literary or science stream.
Supports students in developing to be the best they
can become such as providing a high level of
exposure to skills and morals so that students
understand education is very important in life.
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4.0 CDC Contributions to Malaysia Curriculum System Development
The country’s education goals and objectives are manifested in the Malaysian National
Education Philosophy (NEP) which states that the education in our country, Malaysia is
an on-going effort towards a further developing potential of individuals in a holistic and
integrated manner as to produce students who are intellectually, emotionally and
physically balanced and harmonious. Such effort like this is designed to produce
Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral
standards as well as being able to contribute to the betterment of the family, the society
and the nation at large. The school curriculum is expected to contribute towards a
holistic development of the students.
The education system is a uniform system of education in both primary and secondary
schools that has been established whereby a national curriculum is used in all schools.
Common central assessments and examinations at the end of studying or learning
periods of school are being practiced. The national language which is Malay is the
official language of instruction.
The curriculum design promotes unity through the use of a single medium instruction
which is using the national language and the provision of the same core subjects for all
students in all schools within the National Education System. Due to the cultural
diversity of different ethnic groups, the diversity is preserved through the existence of
National Type Schools; which are allowed to use other major ethnic languages as the
medium of instruction. An example of national type school, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan
Cina and they are allowed to use their main language which is Mandrin/Chinese Pin Yin
as their medium of instruction in that particular school. As for other subjects such as
Science and Mathematics, it will be bilingual. In a Chinese Type School, it’s not only the
Chinese ethnics studying in that school because there will be other ethnics that are
interested in studying in a Chinese Type School.
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The underlying theoretical principle of national curriculum formulation is that of general
education, using an integrated approach in curriculum planning. The curriculum
comprises content and skills, with emphasis on the development of basic skills, the
acquisition of knowledge and thinking skills. Each subject must also incorporate the
inculcation of moral values and attitudes and the correct use of Malay and other
languages, such as English, Chinese and Tamil. The integrated approach is the main
focus in the design of the Integrated Curriculum for Primary School and Integrated
Curriculum for Secondary School. The elements of knowledge, skills and values are
incorporated so as to bring the integrated development of the intellectual, spiritual,
emotional and physical aspects of the individual.
There’s also a project called Projek Khas for the improvement of Science and
Mathematics teaching in the primary schools. Projek Khas is specially made for
boarding students. Projek Khas was established in year 2003 and its purpose is to help
underprivileged students whose family that are unable to handle the school fees. Projek
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Khas helps those students to cover their school fees, exam fees, and hostel fees as well
as managing the students’ essential needs.
As for assessment and evaluation Centralized examinations are held at the end of Year
6 which is Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), Form 3 will be sitting for their
Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) and Form 5 which is Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). The
results of these examinations are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum.
There is a specific of program evaluation that use of social research methods to inform
the effectiveness of the curriculum. The functions of curriculum evaluation are to
diagnose, compare, revise curriculum, anticipate education needs, and to match the
objectives with the actual performance. An evaluation serves to improve learning and
program planning and implementation. Examination results also provide feedback to the
planners to improve students’ achievement. Based on the analysis of students’ scores
by items, their achievement in the various skills can be inferred. This brings questions
such as “Should the performance drop below the expected standard?” The related
divisions of the Ministry look into the problem and take prompt action to improve
students’ future achievement.
The various divisions of the Ministry also carry out related studies to find out the impact
of the curriculum on students’ achievement. This focuses on specific areas of interest,
and information is commonly collected using surveys, class observations or test items.
Information obtained reflects the effectiveness of the curriculum and the Ministry is
required from time to time to take follow-up action, such as reviewing the syllabus,
textbooks and other teaching materials, and improving teacher/learning strategies.
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Diagram 4: Form 2 Pulse textbook and workbook
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Diagram 6: Pulse book for teacher’s reference book that includes guidelines for
teachers enabling them to evaluate students in class.
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Diagram 7: An example of English mid-term exam paper for Form 2 students.
Assessments and test items are used to track students’ ability in mastering a
specific subject and its topic.
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5.0 Conclusion
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6.0 References
Alvior, Alvior, Alvior, M. G., Petersays, O., Alvior, Gabriel, … De La Salle University.
(2018, December 4). The Meaning and Importance of Curriculum Development.
Retrieved from https://simplyeducate.me/2014/12/13/the-meaning-and-importance-of-
curriculum-development/
Bakar, A. (2013, July 21). Konsep dan definisi kurikulum. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/nayiza/konsep-dan-definisi-kurikulum
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Salleh, Z. (1970, January 1). Penyata Razak dan Penyata Rahman Talib. Retrieved
from http://smgr1991.blogspot.com/2012/12/penyata-razak-dan-penyata-rahman-
talib.html
Yeoh. (1976, November 30). The Curriculum Development Centre of Malaysia. Studies
of Curriculum Development Centres in Asia 2. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?
id=ED165298
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