KUCHING: The Sarawak Government’s decision to adopt the Cambridge syllabus for selected private schools reflects its commitment to producing globally competitive students while remaining aligned with national education requirements, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said science-based and STEM-related subjects must form clear pathways for students’ future careers, which prompted Sarawak to choose the Cambridge curriculum as part of its education strategy.
“Because of this, the Sarawak Government chose the Cambridge syllabus,” he said in his officiating address during the opening of Yayasan Sarawak International Secondary School Kuching here today (Jan 31).
He added that the State has restructured its education policy to operate on a dual-track system and under the approach, public schools continue to follow the national education policy, while selected private and international schools adopt the Cambridge curriculum to prepare students for international standards.
“We have our national education policy that produces our children who can compete at the international level,” he said.
Abang Johari stressed that the adoption of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) syllabus does not sideline national requirements, as students are still required to sit for essential subjects under the Malaysian system.
“You have the Cambridge syllabus plus SPM, which is essential in Malaysia – Bahasa Melayu, History and Moral,” he said.
For international Islamic schools, he added, students are required to take Bahasa Melayu, History and Islamic Studies, while other schools offer Moral studies, ensuring full compliance with national regulations.
He explained that private schools using the Cambridge syllabus provide students with globally recognised qualifications, enabling them to gain admission to universities worldwide.
“With this syllabus, you can be accepted into any university throughout the world because your standard is a world standard. You can go to Oxford, Stanford or the London School of Economics,” he said.
