Academic

Academic

Curriculum Overview

KYSM offers the Malaysian Secondary School Curriculum (KSSM). Form 1 to Form 3 students will read eight subjects as specified in the national curriculum. Form 4 and Form 5 students can be in either the Science or Business stream. They will read twelve down to ten subjects. All students who complete their secondary school education in KYS will sit for the SPM Examination in Form 5.

The academic time spreads over 56 periods in a week. We follow closely one hour periods timetable. Students move from one teaching room to another for lessons. There is no bell in between periods. The purpose for these two practices is to eliminate boredom, improve time management skill and to keep our students active during academic time.

Aims

The curriculum aims are to:

Extended Curriculum

The extended curriculum is to help students discover or develope new interests and talents. Students are given learning experiences beyond the curriculum by offering a varied menu of activities, learning support and extended services such as quick intervention and easy access to subject matter experts. These offers have positive effects on students’ achievements and participation.

Three initiatives taken by KYS to include extended curriculum element into the National Curriculum:

Music Education is compulsory for Form 1, Form 2 and Form 3 students. They learn music theory, practical and music appreciation. Music lessons are aimed at engaging music intelligence, developing performing art talents and discovering potentials in our students. The music department has been able to produce good young musicians, some of whom came into KYS with no music background. Many musicians in the four KYS Orchestra groups consist of students with no musicianship initially.

Teaching Staff

Only subject matter experts are hired to handle teaching. Training and development are provided to equip our teaching staff with knowledge and best practices on methodology and pedagogy. There is a good mix of teaching staff – experienced teachers and also young graduate teachers, expatriates and locals.

Teacher establishment is based on teaching staff doing effective and efficient work. KYS practices the optimum load for each teacher using Total Student Load and Total Period Load approaches. Teaching staff are not over burdened with work so that they can have quality contact time with students. Teaching staff are expected to be highly professional in dealing with students providing good instructional leadership and engaging in accountable talks.

Student Centredness

Class size is kept small. The teacher to student ratio is 1 : 8. These two situations made it possible for student centredness services to be deployed. The four areas of the student centredness exercise are :

Value Adding

Additional learning, experience & development beyond the standard curriculum.

Formal Learning

Malaysian National Secondary Standard Curriculum.

Informal Learning

Social and emotional development.

Academic Enrichment

Accelerated learning and learning beyond the curriculum.