28 Nov 2018
Malaysian teachers love their jobs and are amongst the most dedicated in the world for ensuring their students excel academically, according to the first ever Global Education Census.
The research conducted by leading education organisation Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International) – part of the University of Cambridge – found 70% of Malaysian teachers felt teaching was a rewarding career. Also, 75% of teachers who took part in the survey, run extra classes to help their students achieve good exam grades - the highest of all the countries surveyed. The Global Education Census is the first comprehensive global study to show what life is like in schools around the world today for students aged 12-19 and their teachers. In Malaysia 477 students and 634 teachers took part in the survey.
The census focuses on 10 countries – Argentina, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the United States of America. It sought the views of almost 20,000 teachers and students on topics such as best classroom practices, effective use of additional teaching and learning aids, use of technology in learning and teaching, extracurricular activities, student aspirations and teacher motivations.
Malaysian teachers are investing more time and effort to ensure excellence
The census revealed that Malaysian teachers are very focused on helping their students to achieve good grades, so that they can go on to fulfil their career aspirations.
Among the 10 countries surveyed, Malaysia recorded the highest percentage of teachers who invest extra time in ensuring students understand the key to acing their examinations. Three out of four teachers said they provided additional lessons and classes for their students to acquire the knowledge for success. Additionally, the study of past exam papers is Malaysian teacher’s favourite method to help prepare their students well for exams.
When asked how they measure their own professional performance, Malaysian teachers scored highest in the world for saying they use exam results as a measure of their own success (84 per cent). While 40 per cent said they measure their success by the number of students who fulfil their aspirations and dreams by going on to study higher education or university courses.
In addition, Malaysian schools also came top in the census for offering careers advice to students, further supporting them to fulfil their career aspirations. 70 per cent of Malaysian teachers surveyed, said their school offers career and counselling services to students, more than any other country surveyed in the census.
A global benchmark of success by Malaysian students
The census also identified Malaysia as the top country for recognising academic performance of students. 45% of teachers said they hold a special assembly to recognise student achievement and 48% said they give out prizes – the highest globally.
Cambridge International supports this culture of recognising success having awarded hundreds of prizes to Malaysian students in recent years, through the annual Cambridge Assessment International Education’s Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards. The ceremony earlier this year, awarded prizes for the November 2017 examination series for Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Cambridge International AS and A Level, and saw 125 learners from 46 schools awarded top achiever accolades.
Education beyond the classroom
The census found that the most common subjects taken in Malaysia are Mathematics (95 per cent of students study it); English Language (83 per cent); and Chemistry (75 per cent). As such, teachers recognise the importance to specialise in these fields to help students prepare for higher education. The programmes offered at Cambridge International, for students and teachers, endeavour to impart valuable knowledge and skills that go beyond academics. To ensure students to are ready for the world, Cambridge International offers a rich and varied curriculum that enables students to pursue subjects they are passionate about, but at the same time help them to develop life-long skills such as team work, leadership, the ability to think outside of the box and critical thinking.
Read the Global Education Census 2018 survey report.