The Education Ministry is gearing up to significantly expand its hybrid classes initiative, increasing its reach from 110 to 400 schools. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh announced this in Parliament today, revealing that RM340 million has been earmarked for the project under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, spanning from 2025 to 2029.
According to Wong, the decision to scale up the program follows encouraging feedback from schools currently involved in the initiative.
“The expansion stems from positive feedback received by the ministry as the initiative was capable of supporting the teaching and learning process,” he said.
Supporting Urban and Rural Schools
Wong emphasized that the initiative would benefit students in both urban and rural areas, ensuring equitable access to quality education. To make this possible, significant upgrade have been made to internal network infrastructure, providing Internet connectivity in all participating classrooms.
“This expansion will also include schools in rural areas and not just urban areas. This will ensure that no one is left behind in terms of learning opportunities,” he reiterated.
The hybrid classrooms will be equipped to allow foreign experts and teachers to participate in teaching, a move aimed at enhancing the quality of education while addressing teacher shortages in specific subjects.
Allocating the Budget
The allocated RM340 million will fund three main components:
- RM20 million for electrical wiring,
- RM153 million for smart devices, and
- RM167 million for Internet infrastructure.
The expansion will also standardize facilities across 15 designated areas within schools, such as resource centers, administration rooms, and hybrid classrooms, all of which will benefit from improved Internet connectivity.
Positive Feedback Driving the Expansion
Wong noted that teachers from the current 110 hybrid schools have expressed strong support for the initiative.
“We received positive feedback from teachers, with requests for additional classes and suggestions for improvements, as well as proposals for regular training on the use of the equipment,” he shared.
He added that hybrid classes have proven to be an effective tool for teaching and learning. Schools are particularly enthusiastic about incorporating Smartboards into special rooms to enhance student engagement beyond hybrid lessons.
Looking Forward
The project’s expansion aligns with the ministry’s goal to ensure every student has access to modern and innovative learning opportunities.
While responding to a query from Member of Parliament of Pasir Salak, Jamaluddin Yahya, on whether any studies had been conducted on the project’s effectiveness, Wong highlighted the overwhelmingly positive reception and the desire for further development of the initiative.
With its ambitious plan and substantial investment, the Education Ministry hopes to create a more inclusive and advanced learning environment for Malaysia’s students.
