Expanding horizons in education

Learning is important to individuals on both sides of the school desk. Explore higher education options available to existing and aspiring teachers. 

 

In the past, teachers in Malaysia were rewarded for their hard work and commitment with promotions and salary increments that commensurate with their experience. Nowadays, in a response triggered by public demand to have more ‘qualified teachers’, local educators are being encouraged to enhance their teaching aptitudes by attending training sessions or embarking on postgraduate studies. 

 

Teachers with standards

At the launch of the Malaysian Teacher Standard document in Dec 2009, Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said the top three essential values according to the document are teaching professionalism, knowledge, and high teaching and learning skills. All three can be attained via the training and academic development available in teacher training colleges and universities. Therefore, educationists who want to focus on target groups (eg kindergarten, special children), help students in a non-teaching capacity or advance to a decision-making position should attend a postgraduate programme that furnishes them with the right specialisations or credentials.

 

Higher responsibilities

On the surface, the role of the educator appears to be limited to just carrying out lessons according to a preset syllabus. In reality, they also counsel troubled students, discipline problematic ones, organise events (sports day, graduation etc), manage and guide junior colleagues, etc.

 

In order to achieve all this, educationists must be equipped with relevant knowledge and training in psychology, pedagogy and the right thinking methods to properly carry out their duties. 

 

The most effective way to go about this would be to get a postgraduate degree in a specific area of specialisation. Teachers can pursue a Master of Arts in Education or a Master of Science through research, Master of Education through coursework, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education. These courses are available in various local institutions of higher learning. 

 

Coursework component

With a coursework-based programme, the student must choose a major to specialise in. Majors differ according to institutions but still revolve around the development of curricula, management, technology, guidance, counselling etc. It is not unusual to find a brief research component – or a practicum for those taking the guidance and counselling specialisation – attached to the coursework programme. These Master’s programmes are usually available full- or part-time. While you may be able to take a sabbatical to pursue full-time studies, the part-time mode allows you to interact with your students and to keep up with changes to the system. 

 

Research component

For teachers who intend to pursue a specialised field of work or study, doing a research-based postgraduate degree can help their career progression. Below are just some of the common pedagogies that are available under a research component for both Master’s and PhD levels. The specialisations available differ from one institution to another with local public universities usually covering a wider array than their private-institution counterparts.

 

Postgraduate pedagogy research topics:

These fields of study cover instructional and teaching method development, enrichment of subject-based knowledge, counsellor education, skill enhancement etc. Graduates will  therefore be equipped with adequate means and techniques to bolster their position as role models to their students. 

 

KPLI (Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching)

For graduates with a recognised non-education degree, but have a passion to teach, there is the option to obtain a postgraduate diploma in teaching (KPLI for short). The one-year course, offered by the Teacher’s Education Department of the Education Ministry to any bachelor’s degree holder, is available in all teacher training colleges. KPLI graduates will then go through an interview where they will be judged based on their abilities, skills and passion for teaching before they are recruited and posted to a school that needs their expertise. 

 

Renewed opportunities

The need for good teachers will always exist in society, but that does not mean that their jobs are confined to just teaching primary or secondary school. With enhanced skills and improved knowledge, a teacher with a postgraduate degree can become a teacher trainer, a headmaster or principal, department head for institutions of higher learning, or a university lecturer or career advisor, among other things. 

 

By constantly staying abreast of the latest and most effective teaching skills and methods, the teachers can ensure that their students will take home more than just homework when the school bell rings.