Ministry of Education Malaysia is introducing the subject of Design and Technology (RBT) related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), computer programming and robotics to Primary School Year Four (aged 8-9) pupils beginning 2020. Similar effort had been put in place in 2017, where Secondary School Year One students (aged 13-14) learn basic coding through the RBT classes. This initiative is another effort of the ministry to enhance the focus on STEM education, as outlined by the latest education mandate and federal budget.
The pupils will be learning softwares such as Arduino Micro:Bit and Scratch. These softwares expose the students to Robotics, AI, and the coding and programming of hardware.
It is clear that Malaysia is working to create an educational environment conducive for tech learning. This will result in students becoming equipped with the skills and resources they need to meet and overcome the challenges prevalent in a digital economy such as the safeguarding the Internet space for both financial and personal safety.
Commentary by Tiu Kian Wee, Education Services Manager
Although the number of Malaysians enrolled into Computer Science related subjects in the UK was relatively small - 261 students in 2017/2018 - we had seen a +161.1% of growth happened in the past 6 years. With the government clearly pushing for Tech learning and the promises made to establish stronger work demand for Tech graduates, STEM related subjects will continue garner more interests among the Malaysian students and parents.
The need for more digital security professionals is pressing. In 2018, more than 10,000 cybersecurity attacks happened on corporations and individuals in Malaysia. Education institutions offering Tech related subjects would want to promote how the institutions prepare graduates who can address such challenges. On top of that, the team in Malaysia has observed increased enquiries on digital marketing, e-commerce and data science subjects.