From KBSR to KSSR Why the need for

change?
Although there have been changes taking place with the education system these last three
years, many parents are not quite aware of these changes and its implication on the education
of their children. So, let us ease the confusion once and for all and look at the core differences
of the new KSSR system when put against the KBSR.
What do these words mean: KBSR and KSSR?
KBSR stands for Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah while KSSR stands for Kurikulum
Standard Sekolah Rendah. KBSR was introduced in 1983 while KSSR is the new system
introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2011.
Why the need for change?
The answer in one word: Relevance.
The KSSR was introduced to overcome certain shortcomings within the older system, the
KBSR. It is hoped with this new restructured and improved curriculum, our children would
have the necessary knowledge, skills and also the values to face and overcome the
challengers of the current times. In this fast paced progressive world, what worked very well
in 1983 is just not good enough today. The use of technology and people skills for one, are
vital tools that needed to be in cooperated into the curriculum to ensure that our children can
perform successfully on a global platform. They need to be equipped not only with the
necessary knowledge and skills but also with the strength of character and leadership
qualities to be successful.
So What Are The Differences between the KBSR and KSSR?
KSSR or Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah, has one new word in it Standard. In this
new curriculum, there are set standards of learning that our children have to achieve at the
different levels of their schooling. This means that when our children complete a particular
level of schooling, they are expected to have achieved a preset standard of knowledge, skills
and values. At specific times at each level these learning standards will be measured to ensure
that no child gets left behind. If a child fails to meet the required standard, the teacher is
required to do more revision activities with the child until he or she eventually achieves the
required standard.
The new curriculum has also been designed to go beyond acquiring communication skills,
self-development and the childs immediate environment as in the KBSR. It is designed to
enhance and embrace the use of science and technology, develop values, understand
humanitarian issues and also focus on the childs physical and aesthetical development.
Although the KBSR focused on holistic learning, the current curriculum seeks to go beyond
this. The KSSR curriculum uses what is known as a modular-based system. For easy
understanding let us look at the teaching and learning of the English Language.

In KSSR, for the primary school, the English Language syllabus is divided into two separate
levels. KSSR Level 1 is made up of Year One, Year Two and Year Three while KSSR Level 2
comprises of Year Four, Year Five and Year Six.
For Level 1 the modules taught are:

Module 1 (Listening and Speaking)

Module 2 (Reading)

Module 3 (Speaking)

Module 4 (Language Arts)

At Level 2, grammar will be added to the four modules taught in Level 1.

Although textbooks are being used in the teaching and learning process, learning is now more
accessible with students playing a more important role in their learning. Rote learning is no
longer encouraged and with the introduction of Language Arts component in the curriculum,
there is now space for interactive actives. These include the use of drama, role-play, debates,
language games and songs to make the lessons more meaningful and facilitate the learning of
the language. Lessons are more fun and there is also more movement and activities in the
process of learning. This element of fun learning removes the element of stress and pressure
and makes lessons fun while ensuring that language acquisition takes place.
Although the KBSR was student centered, the KSSR seem to be even more focused to make
learning fun and meaningful to the young learners. The classroom atmosphere is more
relaxed where students are given more room for decision-making and encouraged to voice
their opinions. Apart from the 3Ms (reading, writing and counting), the new curriculum has
4Ms, with Reasoning added to the original 3Ms. The need for our children to think and
reason, of making connections between their actions and consequences is now stressed. There
is a shift from rote learning where students simply followed instructions and are overly
dependent on teachers. Students are now being taught to be active decision makers and be
accountable for their actions.
There also seems to be time allocated for Chinese and Tamil languages within the school
timetable to ensure that students need not remain in school for long hours. The new
curriculum also appears to be moving away from an exam-oriented system and the streaming
of students according to their academic ability is discouraged. In the KSSR, students are
encouraged to work together and help each other rather than being focused on competing to
being the best. Although academic achievement is important, it is no longer everything.
Character development and values are also given prominence.
The long-term objective of the KSSR is to produce individuals who have positive self-image
and high self-esteem. With character building emphasized, it is hoped that our children would
not only have the adequate knowledge and skills but would also have strong leadership
qualities and character to face the challengers of the current scenario.

This article was written by Madam Kalai Lingam. Madam Kalai has 27 years of teaching
experience in government secondary school. She opted for early retirement in 2013 to pursue
her love of writing, and is currently writing a book. Madam Kalai is well versed in the
Malaysian Education system, having been a senior English teacher and school administrator
for many years.
The difference between kbsr and kssr
1. 1. THE SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCESBETWEEN KBSR AND KSSR
2. 2. SIMILARITY Acquiring basic skill in every student Inculcation of moral
values Involving role of teachers and students Student still need to take
UPSR examination. Compulsory subject are the same Bahasa Melayu,
English, mathematics and science.
3. 3. DIFFERENCES KSSR KURIKULUM ASPECTS KBSR
KURIKULUMSTANDARD SEKOLAH BERSEPADU SEKOLAH RENDAH
RENDAH2011 Introduce On 1993 -2010 (subsequently reviewed in 2003
for PPSMI)1 and 2 Year 1 6 (currently 3 6)Curriculum written Curriculum
Written Curriculum writtenbased on based oncontent and learning learning
outcomesstandardsNational examination Examination/ National
examination(UPSR) + Assessment (UPSR)school-based onlyassessment
4. 4. KSSR ASPECTS KBSRBased on 6 areas: Curriculum Design Based on 3
areas:Communication Communication Spiritual, Attitude and Man
and hisValues environment Humanitarian Self-development of Physical
and the individualAestheticalDevelopment Science
andTechnologyCurriculum Standard Curriculum Materials Study
syllabusdocumentsModular Design of the Linear Curriculum4M (Reading,
Writing, Focus 3M (Reading, WritingCounting and Reasoning) and
Counting)
5. 5. KSSR ASPECTS KBSRThe elements of Elements (added Elements of
Analyticalcreativity and value) and creative thinkingInnovation,
skillsentrepreneurial,information technologyandcommunicationLevel I
(Year 1, 2 & 3) Organisation of the Level I (Year 1, 2 & 3) Basic Core
Modules, Curriculum Core, compulsory andThematic Core Modules
additional subjectsand Elective Modules Level II (Year 4, 5 & 6)Level II
(Year 4, 5 & 6) Core , Compulsory and Core and Elective Additional
subjectsSubjects