PAK21 - Where do we go from here?

There is so much talk going on about PAK21 or Pembelajaran Abad Ke-21. As usual, when there is something new, changes are expected. It was the same with the implementation of PPSMI in 2003 which was then reversed in 2012. I think 2020 marks the last batch of PPSMI for those schools still teaching Math and Science in English. Soon after we had our MBMBI and then the DUAL Program. All in all, our Malaysian education is generally in a very confused state, having gone through many flip flops over the years. This flip-flopping is also a reflection of our nation's inability to grab the bull by its horn and move forward. 

But, now, with the Industrial Revolution 4.0's effects knocking on our shores, we basically do not have much choice but to bring in changes into our education system. Else we will be gobbled up by the waves of changes. While PPSMI is dead, there is the DUAL Program. In essence it is the same thing like PPSMI, only difference being not all schools are carrying it out. And so, there we have it, instead of our education system uniting and providing an equal platform, we now continue to build another new divide between the haves and the haves-not. 

In all this confusion, enters the PAK21. To me this is more of a pedagogical change rather than a systemic one. PAK21 is to prepare us for the challenges of this century. The challenges to come are going to be way different, so they say. Reason is because we will be up against machine learning. AI is going to change the way things work it. Changes are now happening at a dizzying pace and catching up comes with a whole new set of catch phrases these days.

And so, you have teachers the most confused lot as usual. Some are attaching PAK21 to gadgets. I think that is a mistake. Some are saying that we are already doing PAK21 and there is no need for fancy gadgets because most schools don't have them. They are wrong too, I believe. Yup, there is no need for fancy gadgets but I think gadgets like projectors (or smart tv screens) and tablets/computers should be making their way into the classrooms.

So what is this PAK21? PAK21 is about the skills that we need to get our students to have before they enter the job market, so that they can be the engine of growth to our country's economy.

And so what are those skills that they need? The usual list will include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, leadership, initiative, productivity and social skills. What many sometimes forget are the following: media literacy, technology literacy, information literacy and flexibility. I might have missed out a few others. These are the other skills that we need to catch up with the world. Digitalisation has entered our lives and it has entered big time. And it is changing the landscape of jobs.

However, the point is this. For those who insist that PAK21 can go on without the gadgets, they are wrong. The workplaces of this century has changed. Computer literacy is a must these days and an educational institution fails if it cannot incorporate that into its classrooms. Computer literacy is necessary for media, information and technology literacy. And the latter are required so that the flexibility to adapt to the constant changes around us will be functional. But the gadgets and tools are just a part of the PAK21, a smaller part.

The bigger or more important part remains the skills - critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, etc. To train that is the main challenge because for that to take place we need people who can show the way to the students. Those would be the teachers. 

The bigger question would be this. Are the teachers able to cope?

In today's fast changing landscape, a teacher who teaches from the textbook is archaic. A teacher who does not have the linguistic skills (read that as English, in Malaysia) is also a katak di bawah tempurung because that teacher will find it hard to relate to many things as Malaysia cannot seem to churn out enough materials of substance in BM. Also, a teacher who doesn't read is also ineffective because things are constantly evolving. 

Teacher quality will remain the greatest challenge in the success of PAK21 and we have an uphill task because for a long time, many of those who entered the teaching profession in Malaysia, especially from the late 1990s to the early 2000s were basically those who could not find employment elsewhere. The teaching profession became a haven of refuge for many of these people... correct me if I am wrong. Over the years many have been comfortably entrenched... 

Many of our teachers have been conditioned by our exam oriented system too.Many teachers today are unable to bring the world into the the classroom because they, themselves don't read. Their comfort zones are so wide that many happily exist like the proverbial ostriches with their heads in the sand. Many teach without inspiring. All they aim for is just the A(s). Students are no longer challenge to think for themselves. Tuition classes prep students to answer exam type questions so much so that simple 'thinking questions' often baffle them. All you need to do is just take a look at the quality of answers of our students for the why and how questions and it will be painfully glaring how our students don't seem to be able to think much these days. 

Those who can be pushed continue to score the A(s) but many leave without the necessary skills. Those who cannot be pushed get bored to death in class and these become the lost numbers in our system. This group is getting bigger because they see no relevance in the lessons carried out in the classrooms. Relevance... most teachers are finding it hard to relate relevance to what is taught in class and it is boring kids to death.

So, PAK21. If we are serious about maintaining our place even just in Southeast Asia and not have 'newcomers' like Vietnam leapfrogging us, we really have to look seriously into proper allocation for equipment procurement and teacher training and continuous professional development.

My two sen for today...