School of Tomorrow: Malaysia moot stresses on lifelong learning

Conference ‘Empowering Lifelong Learning’ mirrored Malaysian government’s emphasis on lifelong learning.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The two-day School of Tomorrow: Empowering Lifelong Learners conference organised by the Beaconhouse Group in Malaysia reached its finality, with attendees stressing over the need for cultivating the idea of lifelong learning.

According to a press release, the conference’s underpinning theme ‘Empowering Lifelong Learning’ mirrored the Malaysian government’s emphasis on lifelong learning that encompasses all agents involved in the schooling process.

Speaking at the conference, Malaysian Minister of Information, YB Dato Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim emphasised that in a global context, learning can no longer be confined to classrooms and that it should be a lifelong process of personal and professional development.

“We are here to reassess conventional beliefs of what constitutes progressive learning while helping to change the learning experiences of children studying in schools at every level. This will certainly help to propel human civilisation,” Yatim said.

This conference brought together teachers, school leaders, policymakers and government officials from across Malaysia and around the world to explore a vision for schools and to catapult learning to a higher level to build analytical and empowered learners.

Participants at the conference said that the idea of lifelong learning should not be cultivated for students but also teachers and school leaders.

Kasim Kasuri, CEO of Beaconhouse Group said that changes required to build a culture of lifelong learners will not happen overnight as developing a quantum change such as this requires thorough and precise planning and extensive professional development.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2012.