Two teachers, one classroom: Malaysia’s plan to roll out ‘co-teaching’ sparks concern

KUALA LUMPUR - A plan by Malaysia’s Education Ministry to introduce a “co-teaching” model in government schools from 2027, where two teachers will conduct lessons together in one classroom, has sparked debate over its feasibility.

Aimed at making lessons more engaging and effective while ensuring every student receives adequate attention, the approach will begin with Year 1 to 3 pupils in primary schools, the ministry announced on its Facebook page on Nov 6.

The ministry said the two-teacher system aims to support the personalised learning needs of students as well as improve classroom management.

The announcement came just weeks after a

string of violent incidents in schools

, which have prompted the government to look for ways to strengthen classroom engagement and nurture students’ character and values.

The co-teaching initiative coincides with the revival of a subject called Alam dan Manusia (nature and humanity), which was introduced in 1982 but phased out in 1994.

The old version of the subject combined science, geography and history. The new version will merge science, health education, visual arts, music, TVET (technical and vocational training) elements, and digital literacy for Year 1 pupils, starting from 2027.

According to the ministry, the new subject aims to promote holistic development by blending creativity, scientific thinking and social awareness.

While the new subject and teaching approach have been cautiously welcomed by parents and educators, some observers have raised questions over the challenges of implementing the plan.

A key concern is whether the ministry can provide enough teachers required for the co-teaching system.

Parent Koay Joo Bee, who runs three online education support groups with some 60,000 members in all, said that some 10 years ago, former students without teaching qualifications were already being called in as temporary teachers at her child’s school.

“We simply don’t have enough qualified teachers,” she told The Straits Times, adding that anecdotally, such shortages persist today, with some classes occasionally left without teachers.

“Talk is cheap. Please, just make sure at least one teacher is in the class. No need for two,” said another parent who declined to be named.

Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) deputy president Mah Hang Soon said the ministry must address these concerns early to ensure smooth implementation.

Datuk Mah, chair of the MCA’s education consultative committee, noted that Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh had revealed in Parliament in August that 19,179 primary and secondary school teachers had opted for early retirement, with nearly 70 per cent citing a loss of interest in teaching.

With many teachers leaving the profession, the ministry faces the challenge of maintaining adequate staffing levels while introducing a system that requires two teachers per classroom, he wrote in a letter to The Star daily on Nov 7.

Teachers may have to double their preparation efforts when coordinating lessons and it is unclear if the ministry plans to conduct pilot programmes before nationwide implementation in 2027, he said.

“Transparent evaluation metrics, such as student outcomes, teacher feedback and classroom engagement will be vital in determining the success of this approach,” he said.

On the other hand, others have welcomed the ministry’s plan.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession said it reflects the ministry’s “willingness to listen to teachers’ suggestions, particularly regarding the need for teaching assistants”.

Its secretary-general Fouzi Singon told ST that the co-teaching approach, introduced for the first time in government schools here, would not require Malaysia to train new teachers as it will combine several lessons into one.

“The Education Ministry plans to utilise existing teachers whose subjects fall under the combined categories of nature and humanities,” he said, adding that having two teachers in one classroom will allow for more focused attention on students.

Parent Action Group for Education chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said they had long advocated for teacher assistants, especially for Year 1 classes.

“It was piloted but could not be scaled up due to lack of funds. So when co-teachers were announced, it was a pleasant surprise, but the details are vague,” she told ST.

The new combined subject has also sparked concerns.

Some worry that it could dilute science learning at a time when Malaysia is grappling with a shortage of Stem-trained graduates needed for future demands, such as careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Based on an analysis of the 2024 results for the Form 5 secondary school-leaving exams known as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), three-quarters of all students are not taking any of the pure science subjects of biology, physics or chemistry, said a writer for an educational publisher.

The writer, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee, told ST: “We are already losing potential Stem graduates at secondary school level. But instead of dedicating more time than the four hours per week of science in primary school, the ministry decides to combine it with non-core subjects.

“I worry that this is a step backwards.”

Datin Noor Azimah noted that the new subject also raised further questions on the use of English to teach science, which has already been reduced in Malaysian schools.

While the ministry has yet to confirm the language of instruction for the subject, its title of Alam dan Manusia suggests that it will be a Malay-medium subject.

This would be consistent with other subjects such as visual arts, music and health education, whose textbooks are all in Malay.

In recent years, fewer schools in Malaysia have continued offering science and mathematics in English under the Dual Language Programme (DLP), amid shifting policies and inconsistent implementation.

“For sure, with Alam dan Manusia, that is the end of DLP,” Ms Noor Azimah said.