Walk into any classroom before a major examination and you will likely see the same scene. Students are flipping through tuition notes, highlighting their textbooks, and trying their best to memorise as many facts as possible. For generations, this has been the normal way of studying. Study, memorise, sit for the examination, and move on to the next chapter.
We cannot deny that memorising important information is important. However, I believe students need to do more than that. They should build projects, solve problems, and turn their ideas into something meaningful.
In today's rapidly changing world, information is no longer difficult to find. Within seconds, students are able to search for reliable facts, formulas and even complete explanations. What is becoming more valuable is the ability to think critically and apply knowledge to solve real problems. These are skills that cannot be developed by memorisation alone.
This is the main reason why project building is so important.
When students build a project, they have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that can benefit them in the future. For instance, a science stream student may understand the theory behind water filtration, but designing an actual filtration system is a completely different challenge. Besides, a student may score full marks in mathematics, but writing code to make a prototype function requires applying those mathematical concepts in real-world situations. In my opinion, projects transform knowledge into experience.
In Malaysia, there has been a growing emphasis on STEM education. The Ministry of Education has encouraged students to participate in science fairs, innovation challenges and research-based activities. These programmes are not just about winning awards; they provide opportunities for students to develop skills that traditional examinations may not fully measure.
The importance of project-based learning is also reflected in global workforce trends. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, analytical thinking remains the most sought-after skill among employers, while creative thinking and technological literacy are also among the fastest-growing skills worldwide. The report gathered insights from more than 1,000 employers representing over 14 million workers across 55 economies. These findings suggest that future success will depend not only on what students know, but also on how effectively they can apply their knowledge to solve problems and adapt to new challenges. Project-based learning provides students with opportunities to develop exactly these skills through hands-on experience rather than memorisation alone.
Reference: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/in-full/3-skills-outlook/
One of the biggest lessons I have learned from building projects is that failure is part of learning.
When students memorise facts, there is usually a right answer or a wrong answer. However, projects are different. Sometimes the design does not work. Sometimes the prototype fails. Sometimes weeks of effort lead to unexpected results. While this can be frustrating, it teaches adaptability.
Many successful inventions were created after countless failures. Thomas Edison reportedly tested thousands of materials before developing a practical light bulb. Failure did not stop him. Instead, it became part of the learning process.
Students should be given this kind of exposure early in their learning journey, as it helps them develop important skills and confidence from a young age.
Another advantage of project building is teamwork. In school examinations, students work individually. In the real world, however, most problems are solved by teams. Engineers, doctors and business leaders rarely work alone.
When students collaborate on projects, they learn how to communicate ideas, divide responsibilities, and support one another. These experiences prepare them for university and future careers far more effectively than memorising facts for a single examination.
Not only that, project-based learning also helps students discover their interests.
Some students may not realise they enjoy engineering until they build a prototype. Others may discover a passion for environmental science after conducting research on pollution. A classrooom lesson can introduce a topic, but a project allows students to explore it deeply.
This can make learning more meaningful and enjoyable.
Of course, memorising facts still has its place. Students need foundational knowledge before they can apply it. No one can build a successful project without understanding the basic concepts behind it.
The problem arises when education focuses too heavily on memorisation and not enough on application.
Schools should continue encouraging project-based activities because they help students develop skills that will remain valuable long after examinations are over.
At the end of the day, education should not only be about remembering information. It should be making a difference.
Facts may help students pass examinations, but projects help students prepare for life.
Nicson Yap Yong Ze (nicsonyap3101@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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