Sarawak to introduce Design subject in English to upper secondary students starting 2029

SIBURAN (March 5): 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.

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 1,” he told reporters during the Gift of 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.