Decentralizing Education: A Path to Increased Student Competitiveness and Creativity
Academic Backs Call for Headmasters to Have More Autonomy
PETALING JAYA: Academics have backed a recent call for headmasters to be given the right to tailor their schools’ curricula according to the needs of their students and institutions, saying such teachers have been proven as competent leaders.
Anuar Ahmad, a professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the specific challenges schools face are best understood by headmasters who are closer to matters on the ground than ministry officials.
Headmasters Should Be Empowered to Lead
"They should not just have the right to manage, but to lead their schools. Headmasters should be empowered to plan the best for their students and teachers as they know their students better," Anuar said.
Whatever decisions they make will certainly take into consideration the advice of the state education departments and district education offices, and align with the education ministry’s guidelines, he added.
Decentralization Key to Increased Competitiveness and Creativity
Anuar also emphasized the need for the national education system to be decentralized if the government wants to increase student competitiveness and creativity.
Each school should have its own strategies and plans according to its differing needs, and headmasters of schools facing disciplinary issues, for example, should focus on such issues first, he said.
Schools in rural areas might also face problems with attendance due to the long distances from students’ homes, which should take priority, Anuar added.
"If they do not resolve these issues first, the teaching and learning process will not go smoothly as the teachers will not be able to focus. Schools with no such issues can focus on their students’ abilities," he said.
Parent Action Group for Education Chairman Agrees
Parent Action Group for Education chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim agreed that headmasters should be given more autonomy to tailor school curricula to their students’ abilities.
She said various professions require the mastery of both Bahasa Melayu and English, which the dual-language programme addressed.
"Students need a credit in Bahasa Melayu to become doctors, but also need to master English if they intend to become lawyers. Professional board examinations in medicine, engineering, and accountancy are also conducted in English. As such, headmasters should allow the teaching of science and mathematics in English," she said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, decentralizing the education system and giving headmasters more autonomy to tailor curricula to their students’ needs can lead to increased student competitiveness and creativity. By empowering headmasters to lead their schools, they can better address the specific challenges their schools face and provide a more effective education for their students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is decentralization important in education?
A: Decentralization allows schools to tailor their curricula to their specific needs and challenges, leading to a more effective education for their students.
Q: What are the benefits of giving headmasters more autonomy?
A: Giving headmasters more autonomy allows them to make decisions that are best for their students and schools, rather than being constrained by ministry directives.
Q: How can headmasters be empowered to lead their schools?
A: Headmasters can be empowered to lead their schools by giving them the authority to make decisions and take actions that are best for their students and schools.