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 two public examinations – the PT3 in Form 3 and the SPM 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:
- Extend the curriculum to prepare students for more advanced learning needs.
- Further develop the knowledge on learning principles for lifelong continuous learning.
- Devise effective teaching and learning techniques that develop independent learners.
- Integrate information technology to enhance the learning experience.
- Develop the confidence in students to apply their skills and knowledge in appropriate situations.
- Provide instructional leadership appropriate for leadership and personality development.
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:
- Provision of Music Education, Art and Design, General Knowledge, Integrated English, Guidance Programme and Mandarin Classes.
- Inclusion of value added elements
- Developing generic skills and teaching beyond the curriculum specifications.
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 :
- Personalisation of Education
- Developing independent learners
- Managing student learning
- Designing performance improvement plan