KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang has urged the federal government to reconsider its plan to place two teachers in one classroom, warning that the untested model could burden educators and disrupt learning if implemented nationwide without proper pilot studies.
He said the plan, recently announced by the Education Minister, may appear innovative but lacks careful groundwork and could risk wasting public funds if proven ineffective.
“This proposal is being presented as a creative classroom solution, but in reality, it is a rushed response to deeper issues that require planning, piloting, and evaluation.
“If the model does not work, it must be discontinued before more resources are committed,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Lo pointed out that Sarawak has long adopted a measured and context-driven approach in shaping its education policies, citing the introduction of the Primary Six Dual Language Programme Assessment Test following the abolition of UPSR as an example of a tailored policy that reflected the state’s needs.
He added that under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership, Sarawak remains firm in positioning both Bahasa Malaysia and English as working languages, with English continuing to be used for teaching Science and Mathematics.
“Our Premier has been clear: English is not a cultural threat, it is a global tool, vital for science, technology, investment, and innovation,” Lo said.
He contrasted Sarawak’s position with Pakatan Harapan’s administration in 2018, when a DAP Sarawak leader serving as deputy minister “defended a position that English could not be strengthened as a medium of instruction”, despite previously advocating for it while in opposition.
On the co-teaching model, Lo said that while team teaching can be effective in specific contexts, the proposed two-teacher, three-subject system “does not address the problems it claims to solve”.
“Combining classes will only increase class size, classroom noise, and teacher workload. Teaching multiple subjects simultaneously increases cognitive load for both students and teachers,” he said.
He also warned that having two teachers in one classroom could cause confusion, conflicting cues, and blurred responsibilities, as each teacher has their own style and approach.
“In practice, one teacher may dominate while the other withdraws. Neither outcome benefits students,” he said.
Lo added that successful co-teaching models abroad typically involve one subject and one class at a time, often targeting students with special learning needs.
He further stressed that the rise in bullying and behavioural issues in schools stems from social and emotional challenges, not instructional ones.
“The right solution is to invest in counsellors, well-being educators, and discipline teachers who can focus on students’ mental and emotional health,” he said.
Lo also commended Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah, together with his deputies Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee and Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, for their continuous efforts in strengthening education in Sarawak.
He urged that Sarawak should not be compelled to adopt federal policies wholesale but instead evaluate what works best for its context.
“Sarawak must continue to choose what is right for Sarawak,” he said.
