Reforms take a Leap forward

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 01-12-2013

LeapEd may not a ring a bell to many for now. It is, after all, a fairly new home-grown start-up providing education services in Malaysia. Short for LeapEd Services Sdn Bhd, which is wholly owned by Khazanah Nasional Bhd, it was established in September 2010 as the first Malaysian education services provider with the aspiration to catalyse the transformation of the country's education system to be on a par with global standards. 

John D. Chacko (left) and the writer onstage with four pupils after the launch of LeapEd Services in Kuala Lumpur.

Its objective is to transform primary and secondary schools through an approach that is Sustainable, Transferable, Applicable and Replicable.

These STAR quality criteria are embedded in all its intervention programmes, backed by at least 10 signature courses aimed at those involved in delivering education, beginning from senior leaders in school to middle ones including heads of departments and teachers at all levels.

This is happening at a select cohort of public schools in Malaysia under the Trust School Framework that is acknowledged in the Malaysian Education Blueprint.

The Trust School is a public-private partnership initiative between the Education Ministry and Yayasan AMIR of Khazanah Nasional. LeapEd has been appointed to drive the transformation journey with focus in four areas -- raise the standard of leadership and management, ensure quality teaching and learning, maximise student achievement and potential, and increase stakeholder involvement through parent and community programmes.

Excellent schools are the result of great leadership and its development, and ongoing professional learning for school improvement and transformation.

The organisation offers comprehensive leadership development courses for all senior school leaders based on a common core programme of leadership development.

Last week, it was officially launched with the tagline Learning Enriched. It is all about inspiring learners and enriching the learning process with the belief that every learner has potential that needs to be unlocked. This can be achieved by equipping school leaders and teachers with educational best practices and the support of professional learning communities, localised to ensure sustainability.

This creates the right learning environment, where experiences are fun and relevant to different individuals and they ignite creative sparks to transform learning outcomes for all.

By means of best practices in education, several pathways to lifelong learning are introduced to improve outcomes in student learning through the development and behavioural changes in teachers, school leaders and students, who are supported by increased involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

As of this year, the outfit is partnering with 700 teachers to improve learning for nearly 10,000 students in 13 schools across the Trust School network in Malaysia. The project continues to expand, extending its reach and shaping the leaders of tomorrow in line with the six student aspirations envisaged in the blueprint.

Success is evident in positive student outcomes as a result of improved standards in the quality of leadership, learning and teaching.

It is expected that up to 50 schools will be transformed over the next five years by providing services such as base lining and monitoring, leadership and teacher development, parent and community engagement, as well as student engagement and instilling thinking skills.

In addition to providing various learning material, there are school improvement plans, advisory support and consultancy services.

LeapEd in all promotes collaboration in schools and the development of professional learning communities as well as rigorous self-improvement.

Reflective practices among school leaders and teachers are also embedded to ensure sustained improvement practices.

Living examples of cooperation are cultivated among its stakeholders and the partner schools, especially among teachers as well as parents and the community.

There is also a balance between innovation and experience, local and international expertise and a commitment to excellence to ensure that the STAR quality criteria are met.

Overall, LeapEd provides challenge and support to achieve improvement and transformation of practices.

Its collaborative, cooperative and balanced approach to learning prepares learners to be global citizens in the 21st century, where technology and creativity help bring together a diversity of knowledge, culture and ideas to build a better, sustainable future.

Its chief executive officer and managing director John D. Chacko says: "Education is the foundation for sustainable change and progress for any society. We have a deeply held belief that every child has tremendous potential, and we strive to unlock that potential.

"Every child should have the opportunity to be equipped with skills and knowledge to be the 21st century learners who are globally capable of making valuable contributions to their communities."