30 head to UK for lessons on cluster school

NSTP

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein meeting the first batch of 30 cluster school heads before their departure for King’s College, London, next week.

KUALA LUMPUR: The first batch of 30 cluster school heads will leave for the United Kingdom on Oct 13 for a two-month training at King’s College, London.

But it may come as a shock to some as the principals of several top schools, such as the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Penang Free School and SMK St John, have been left out.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said these principals might have been excluded as they did not fulfil the stringent selection process.

“For example, they might not have more than two years of service left before retirement.”

Hishammuddin said this did not mean that the school heads would be given the marching orders.
The selection criteria included candidates being in service as heads of cluster schools or those in the ministry’s echelon list; be not less than two years away from retirement; obtained 89 points and above in their annual assessments; have clean records; passed the appraisal test; have a good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia; possess good personality and leadership qualities; and being a degree-holder.

Hishammuddin said the strict criteria were necessary to ensure that those selected were fully committed and qualified to undergo the intensive training in management and leadership, which had been tailored to meet the needs of the cluster school programme.

Earlier, at a gathering with the 30 at the Malaysian Translation Institute, Hishammuddin said some of the participants, might not be posted back to their respective schools.

“The key to the success of this project is leadership. All we want is a pool of teachers who can serve in various cluster schools.”

The teachers will receive hands-on training through visits and attachments to selected autonomous schools in the UK.

During their stint, they will be exposed to various management and leadership skills needed to run schools in terms of finance, human resource and communications, in keeping with the autonomy given them.

“You already know how to teach. Now you should know how to lead the cluster schools for other schools around the country to emulate.

“You will be on your own, dealing with the press and public when they grill you on various issues, from food poisoning to spoilt milk.

“No more relying on the ministry, (Deputy Education Minister) Datuk Hon Choon Kim, or (ministry secretary-general) Tan Sri Dr Zulkurnain Awang for answers. Are you up to it?” he asked to a spirited response from the floor.