NAME

: NOOR SUWAIBAH BINTI SULAIMAN

I/C NO.

: 820815-08-5716

OPSYEN

: KPLI (SCIENCE II)

SUBJECT

: SCIENCE

LECTURER

: MR. FADZLI

Question : Based on Alam&Manusia and Teaching Science&Mathematics in English,

compare and contrast the following aspects :
1. background for curriculum formulation.
2. rational of curriculum formulation
3. the important's publications on every curriculum
Answer
The Cabinet Committee for Review of Implementation of Education Policy, 1979,
has recommended that the primary school curriculum based on 3 field; Communication,
Man and his Surrounding and Individual Self Development. Based on this, Curriculum
Development Centre has formulated the syllabus for Man and his Surrounding
(Alam&Manusia). This subject was started taught for standard 4 in 1985,in Malay
language.
But after 17 years, in June 2002, Ministry of Education proposed that it is need to
teach and learn Science and Mathematics in English. So for the beginning, it just Year 1,
Form 1 and Form 6(Lower) would commence their Mathematic and Science classes in
English medium from 2003 onwards. For other levels, the use of English to teach
Mathematic and Science are encouraged but not compulsory. But started in 2008, all the
teaching and learning process for subject Science and Mathematics are compulsory for all
the students, Year 1 until Standard 6.
The rational of teaching Man and his Surrounding (Alam&Manusia) are because
this subject is one of the important subject to deliver knowledge in formal form to
primary school students and it contains knowledge of science, society and also human
being which is suitable with teaching and learning process. Science process help students
to investigate the surrounding and also the society and the phenomenon of nature help
them to make decision in their investigation. The integrated knowledge in
Alam&Manusia subject give integrated experiences and it makes the delivery of
knowledge equalize and related with elements from various disciplines. The integrated
knowledge will reduce the burden of syllabus which is too heavy for students to
understand. Besides, Alam&Manusia subject is important to create awareness among the
students that human need to live harmony with their surrounding and also to build
students' characters which show their nationalism, suitable with our national principles.
The rational of curriculum formulation also important to build the sensitivity towards the
changes of cause and effect that happen in our community and surrounding and expand
thinking skills, questioning, evaluate and making decision of Man and his Surrounding.
Lastly, this subject also important to build positive attitude by using knowledge and skills
to solve problem and related issues among self individual, community and surrounding.
Teaching Mathematics and Science in English also has its own rational. Now days
English is the international language, so most of the latest scientific knowledge or
sciences' resources are written in English. There for, all students need to excellent in
English in facing globalization challenges and information explosion. So, by learning

Mathematics and Science in English is the best way to improve their English and easier
for them to gain knowledge and access information. This can contribute to the country
development and also increase the students' cognitive development.
For Alam&Manusia subject, there are some important publication such as
teacher's guides called Buku Panduan Khas Alam&Manusia, Year 4 until Year 6
respectively, published by The Curriculum Development Centre (RDC). This book
specified the curriculum in detail by listing the objectives to be achieved by students for
each topic. It also contained suggested lesson plans and teaching, one of the learning
strategies. Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka also published Alam&Manusia textbook.
Where as for Teaching Science and Mathematics in English program, there some
of important publications such as Teaching Courseware in English and Teaching Script in
English, prepared by The Curriculum Development Centre to help teacher in teaching
Science and Mathematics in English. Besides, teachers and students also provided with
additional textbook package contains Volume I and Volume II textbook, student exercise
book, teacher's manual book and also CD-ROM. All the teachers who are teaching
Science and Mathematics in primary school are to be trained with skills to use laptop
together with LCD and projector.
So after discuss the Science Curriculum for Alam&Manusia and Teaching
Science&Mathematics in English, we can conclude that curriculum was planned
conscientiously and every curriculum legislate based on the latest philosophy of
education. Each curriculum was planned based on its own rational and objectives.