siburan: Sarawak will introduce the Design subject in English under the Dual Language Programme (DLP) for upper secondary school students.
Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said this was agreed during the Technical Committee Meeting under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) on Monday.
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He said the expansion will involve Form 4 and 5 students starting from 2029.
“We will implement it in three years because the first DLP cohort has only just entered Form One,” he told reporters during the STEM Education 2025 programme at SK St Elizabeth Tijirak here.
Sagah said the introduction of the subject in English would complement the use of English for Science and Mathematics under the DLP.
“Design is quite scientific because it involves Mathematics. You have to make the correct measurements,” he said.
He explained that elements of design are already taught in schools under the Design and Technology (RBT) subject, but the plan is to extend it to upper secondary level and conduct the subject in English.
Sagah previously announced DLP will be expanded to secondary schools starting this year as a strategic move by the Sarawak government to produce students who are more competitive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
He added that all Form 1 students have entered the DLP stream and will continue with it until Form 5.
Sagah said discussions under the MA63 Technical Committee also covered 20 demands from Sarawak, of which 15 have been resolved.
“Among the matters resolved are the use of English and the implementation of the Ujian Penilaian Dual Language Programme (UP-DLP), including its assessments.
“Two remaining issues involve the use of English for upper secondary education as well as matters related to the posting of teachers and the appointment of district education officers, headmasters, and principals.
“The remaining three issues concern school infrastructure, which require funding allocations from the Ministry of Finance,” he added.
Sagah added Sarawak has also proposed for funds approved for school infrastructure projects to be placed in a trust under the state so that the projects could be implemented more efficiently.
Meanwhile, the STEM Education 2025 programme at SK St Elizabeth Tijirak marked the handover of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) laboratory equipment.
Building on its 2024 model, the programme has now expanded to Serian Division and aims to strengthen Science and Mathematics education through well-equipped STEM laboratories.
With four laboratories now established — in Kuching at SJK(C) Bintawa and SK St Andrew, and in Serian at SK St Peter and SK St Elizabeth Tijirak — the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to providing equitable and quality STEM education opportunities for young learners in Sarawak.
The initiative is a collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak, the Rotary Club of Kuching Central, and industry partner T&J Engineering Sdn Bhd, with support from the Sarawak Education Department, Serian and Kuching district education offices, school leaders, teachers, and the Invention and Design Association of Sarawak (Ideas).
In his speech, Sagah emphasised the importance of well-equipped STEM laboratories in nurturing critical thinking and innovation among students.
“Such facilities help students visualise abstract concepts, learn through exploration and experimentation, and apply classroom knowledge to real-world problem-solving,” he said.
Also present were UiTM Sarawak rector Prof Dr Firdaus Abdullah, T&J Engineering chief executive officer Datuk Thomas Ngu Sing Hieng, representatives of the Rotary Club of Kuching Central, education officials, headmasters, teachers, and members of the school community.
Firdaus highlighted that the laboratories are designed as active learning spaces where students can explore scientific concepts, apply mathematical reasoning, and develop problem-solving skills through collaborative and hands-on activities.
Meanwhile, Ngu said the initiative forms part of the Rotary Club’s corporate social responsibility efforts to support grassroots education with plans for similar programmes in the future.
The STEM Education programme also includes innovative training sessions for Science and Mathematics teachers and a one-day motivational camp for students.
Organisers believe the laboratories will enhance active learning, improve academic outcomes, and inspire greater interest in STEM, which is an essential foundation for the future development of Sarawak and Malaysia.
