The Ministry says the move will reduce the emphasis on exams and free up teaching efforts and resources.
Malaysia’s Deputy Education Minister, Datuk Chong Sin Woon, said the Ministry would be using a “soft landing” approach to carry out its plans.
“Schools that have an elite class system can continue to do so with their pupils in Years Four to Six who will be beginning the new school year in January,” Chong said.
The Federal Territory Education Department announced recently that it will be abolishing all elite classes within its district from next year.
Chong said the elite class system was usually implemented by individual schools and was not a policy or rule the Ministry practised.
“Mostly urban schools would have elite classes, while it is more uncommon for rural schools to have them,” he said.
Chong said the ministry had helped schools prepare for the new school year by providing them with necessities including enough teachers, headmasters and furniture.
He said the ministry was ready to cope with any shortage of teachers that may arise in future.
“We will immediately begin the Kursus Dalam Cuti (training during the holidays) for teachers in training if schools need more teachers,” he said.
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