Petaling Jaya:The Ministry of Education's plan to teach the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools from 2027 is laudable, said Malaysian Muslim Teachers Association president Mohd Azizi Hasan.
“But it should be done thoughtfully and effectively.”
He was commenting on Education Minister Fadlina Sidek's written response to parliament on March 21, pledging to create a skilled workforce with AI knowledge and capabilities to compete in the digital age global economy. was.
“Transforming the education system will help students adapt to the use of digital technology in today's world, but it must start by addressing basic literacy skills such as reading, writing, and numeracy (3Ms).”
The ministry has previously announced that 435,838 school students across the country have learning disabilities, including 280,985 students in grades 1 to 6 who have not yet mastered the 3Ms. Ta.
“Failure to address this issue quickly will hamper the ministry's efforts to incorporate AI education into school curriculums and undermine the effectiveness of those efforts,” Mohd Azizi said.
He said integrating AI requires a comprehensive approach that includes a fundamental change in mindset and a collaborative effort to realize AI's full potential to improve the teaching and learning experience. He said that.
The ministry said the concept of AI in education needs to be proceeded with caution to avoid drastic changes as this could lead to further problems and challenges.
“While this is a good initiative, there are also potential challenges that may be faced along the way.
“Students and teachers need to start adapting to AI now.
“This is especially important for teachers who must improve their skills while embracing traditional teaching methods,” he said.
Datin Noor Azima Abdul Rahim, chairman of the Malaysian Education Parent Action Group, said it was too early to introduce AI education at primary school level.
“Ministers should not rush to leave a legacy if the time is not yet ripe for introducing new knowledge.
“We are concerned that if introduced prematurely, it could confuse children, especially if teachers lack competency in AI. The potential long-term effects could be disastrous. .”
Noor Azima said that while parents may initially support the idea, if it is not implemented well, it could raise concerns about the integration and implementation of AI education.
She said that if their concerns are not addressed, teachers' skills and AI capabilities will be perceived as flawed, which could lead to a lack of confidence in teachers' abilities.
Subatra Subramaniam, 46, a primary school teacher, was initially surprised when the ministry announced the introduction of AI education.
However, she believes this move provides a good foundation for embracing the digital age.
“It's a little surprising to think that elementary school students will be learning about AI, but we believe it can prepare them for future technological advances.”
Another primary school teacher, Siti Shala Ismail Yapi, 25, expressed concern that over-reliance on AI could reduce critical thinking among students.
“It is critical that students maintain their critical thinking skills, as relying heavily on AI for tasks that require cognitive effort risks depleting their analytical abilities over time.”
