This headline in New Straits Times caught my attention: Fadhlina: Two-teacher method to boost engagement and character development. Our Minister said that this is one of the key reforms under the new curriculum. She further added that the approach aims to make teaching and learning more engaging and effective by allowing teachers to be more creative and interactive. I asked myself: Really? Will this approach solve our education woes or worsen the situation?
Right now, we have the big problem of overcrowded classrooms, under qualified or even overworked teachers in our schools. For a teacher to manage a class effectively, the number should not exceed 20. This will allow sufficient individual attention as well as more effective interactions amongst the teacher and pupils. In addition, a smaller number of students will be more manageable for the teacher. However, I must admit that this problem of overcrowded classrooms has been an issue for decades. I survived through being a student in classes that exceed 40 students. And I had the challenge of managing such big classes when I taught the government schools for a short while.
As for teachers who are under-qualified, the complaints are many. I am sure many of you who have had the chance to go through your children’s school books have lamented on how the teachers have marked your child’s work wrongly especially in the English Language. Many older students could even ‘correct’ their teachers. We cannot deny the fact that many of our present English teachers are not proficient in the language themselves.
Due to the bureaucracy within the systems, we have many who are proficient in their profession ending up as overworked teachers. The pareto principle (or the 80/20 principle) states that 80% of the work is often accomplished by 20% of the workforce. This has been proven true in many areas like business, sales or time management. So, will this concept of co teaching end up as a burden for the one who is passionate in the profession?
Maybe we should first consider how to qualify our teachers for their jobs, even when they enter Teachers’ Training College. Those who fail to make the mark must accept their failure and re-sit till they pass. Likewise, the college lecturers should not be compelled to pass anyone. In that way, the standard of teaching can be upheld.
For those who are interested to understand this concept of co-teaching, click on this link: Co Teaching Explained.
I hope our ministers and leaders can honestly face the problem and take the bull by its horns. We definitely cannot sweep problems under the carpet or fear facing the truths that are so glaring. Before we implement this key reform, let us ask ourselves: Will co-teaching be the answer to our education woes? We cannot afford to have reforms or taglines that do not help the situation. The future of our young generation is in our hands.
May God help us and give us wisdom for every decision that we make. God bless Malaysia!
November 2025
Mei Wong (mwrejoice@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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