Empower Your Life / Empowering Learning / About Smart School

It's All About Knowledge Development

In technical jargon, the Malaysian Smart School is a learning institution that has been systemically reinvented in terms of teaching and learning as well as the improvement of the school management processes in order to help students cope and leverage on the Information Age. Smart School is not just about ICT intervention in teaching and learning.
The national curriculum and pedagogy are given the highest importance, with the role of teachers, administrators, parents and the community enhanced in the education of the Malaysian students. Individuality, creativity and initiative amongst the students are prioritised. However, ICT is critical in making the teaching and learning processes easier, more fun and effective, as well as making communication and management among the stakeholders more efficient. The Malaysian Smart School is a place where all students can learn within a conducive learning environment. It offers various curricula with on-going evaluation, handled by professional administrators and teachers
The 88 pilot Smart Schools have the following components :
Smart School Milestone
Source: Multimedia Development Corporation, 2005
The milestones proposed and the four waves of the Smart School implementation plan are:
1. Wave 1 - The Pilot (1999-2002)
Implementation on 87 schools
2. Wave 2 - The Post-Pilot (2002-2005)
Lessons learnt from the Pilot
3. Wave 3 - Making All Schools Smart (2005-2010)
Extending the digital transformation to all
4. Wave 4 - Consolidate and Stabilise (2010-2020)
Technology becomes an integral part of the nation's learning process
MDeC's Role
Ministry of Education, Malaysia (MOE) is the key implementor; whereas Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDeC) is the key player in the development of Smart School in Malaysia and abroad
The Ministry of Education (MOE) as the lead agency and the MDeC Smart School Department as the facilitator and coordinator share the responsibility of making the Malaysian Smart School a success. The Smart School Department, was involved in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the Smart School Pilot Project. The department is now involved in activities to formulate strategic recommendations for the roll-out of the Smart School across the country. MDeC and MOE have jointly conducted various studies and enhancement efforts for the Malaysian Smart School.
Smart School Department's Roles and Functions
- Providing thought leadership and strategic recommendations to the Ministry of Education, Malaysia based on studies and pilot projects*
* (Note: See Reference for more information)
- Building the e-Education Cluster
Background
- The Smart School Project is one of the Flagship Applications of the Multimedia Super Corridor. The Concept Requests for Proposals (CRFP) process was used for the first time ever in the country to establish partnerships between the Government of Malaysia and the private sector to help conceptualise, plan and implement the Flagship Applications of the Multimedia Super Corridor
- In July 1997, the Prime Minister launched the following The Malaysian Smart School Application documents, along with the other flagship application documents, to invite proposals for solutions from the private sector within and without the country.

The Smart School Concept
- In 1996, the Ministry of Education planned the Smart School concept based on critical and creative teaching and learning. Technology as an enabler became an important component when the Smart School Project was made one of the Flagship Applications of the Multimedia Super Corridor
- The Malaysian Smart School is a learning institution that has been systemically reinvented in terms of teaching and learning and school management processes in order to help students cope with the Information Age
- The main components in the Malaysian Smart School, according to the Smart School Conceptual Blueprint are as follows:
a. Teaching-learning processes
The teaching-learning processes are the core or the "heart" of the Smart School. The processes relating to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and teaching-learning materials, will be reinvented to help students learn more effectively and efficiently. The Smart School will enable students to practise self-accessed and self-directed learning, at their own learning pace.
b. Management and Administration
The management and administration of the Smart School, which represents the driver or the "brain" of the Smart School, will be computerised. Management software will help the Smart School principals and headmasters to manage more efficiently and effectively the resources and processes required to support the teaching-learning functions
c. Human Resources, Skills and Responsibilities
Parents, the community, and the private sector as stakeholders, will play more active roles in improving the performance of the school. All these parties will be constantly involved in professional and knowledge development relating to school management, teaching-learning, and other aspects of the Smart School
d. Processes
The Smart School processes are viewed as a system. These processes will be studied and reviewed carefully to ensure that the system is provided accurate and functional input to produce the desired output
e. Technology
Technology will be used as an enabler to Smart School practices in teaching-learning, management, and communication with external constituencies
f. Policies
To ensure the successful implementation of the Smart School, changes in existing policies and regulations, as well as new policies and regulations will be formulated

The Smart School Objectives
The objectives of the Smart School, which are based on Malaysia's National Philosophy of Education, are as follows:
- To produce a thinking and technology-literate workforce.
- To democratise education
- To increase participation of stakeholders
- To provide all-round development of the individual
- To provide opportunities to enhance individual strengths and abilities

Implementation of the Smart School
- The original Smart School Implementation Plan, which was launched in July 1997 by Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, comprises two phases, that is, a pilot project phase and a broad roll-out phase
- Eighty-seven (87) pilot schools were involved in the pilot project phase which tested three models of technology, that is, a computer laboratory model (Level B), a limited classroom model (Level B+), and a full classroom model (Level A)
- In the broad roll-out phase, the Government of Malaysia is expected to play the role of architect and driver for the Smart School project in the following ways:
a. Prepare the guidelines and provides the basic amenities to schools according to their individual needs
b. Actively encourage all schools to become smart schools on their own initiative by using their own financial resources and expertise
- In the original Implementation Plan, the Ministry of Education would use the findings of the pilot project to prepare a master plan to ensure that all schools in the country become smart schools in stages, by the year 2010

The Concepts Request for Proposals Process
- As with the other Multimedia Super Corridor Flagship Applications, the development of the Smart School Project is done through the Concept Requests for Proposals (CRFP) process. In the case of the Smart School Project, the CRFP process was carried out in four (4) stages
- At the first stage, the Ministry of Education invited interested companies and institutions to propose solutions based on the Smart School documents launched in July 1997. Forty-nine (49) proposals were received and twenty-five (25) were shortlisted
- At the second stage, the companies responsible for these 25 proposals got together and formed four (4) consortia to prepare proposals for an integrated solution
- At the third stage, three (3) integrated solutions were chosen, and the three consortia responsible were invited to participate in multi-track negotiations with the Government
- After multi-track negotiations, the Government decided to choose two consortia to prepare the Smart School Integrated Solution for ninety (90) project schools in the country. For this purpose, the two consortia formed a joint venture company, that is, Telekom Malaysia Smart School Sdn. Bhd
- The joint venture company, Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd, comprises seven (7) local companies, namely
a. Telekom Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for telecommunications services, the Wide Area Network, and the Local Area Network)
b. Sapura Holdings Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for hardware, systems software and Systems Integration)
c. Educational Trend Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for English Language)
d. DEMC Anzagain Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for Primary Mathematics)
e. Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for Secondary Mathematics)
f. Multi Media Synergy Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for Bahasa Melayu)
g. Custommedia Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for the Smart School Management System)
- In addition, three multinational corporations, are also involved in the Smart School Integrated Solution. The three multinational corporations are as follows
a. BT Multimedia (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Project Management and Implementation)
b. Electronic Data Systems IT Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Systems Integration)
c. NIIT Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for Science)

The Smart School Integrated Solution
   
­ The main components in the Smart School Integrated Solution developed and implemented by Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, are as follows  
a. Teaching-Learning Materials in the form of courseware and printed materials for Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Science and Mathematics  
b. The Smart School Management System comprising software for managing and administering to school governance, student affairs, educational resources, school finances, human resources, external resources, facilities, technology, and hostel facilities.
c. Technology Infrastructure comprising hardware, software, systems software, and non-IT equipment.
(The technology infrastructure of the nine Level A schools are provided by the contractors of these schools, and are not included in the Main Agreement signed between the Government of Malaysia and Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd.)
d. Systems Integration to ensure integration between the various components and processes of the Smart School Integrated Solution, between the Smart School System and other flagship applications, data integrity and security
e. Support Services comprising Help Desk services and Maintenance and Support
The Help Desk is located at the Educational Technology Division of the Ministry of Education, and telephone access is through a 1-300 number. Calls may be made from anywhere in the country, but the cost of each call will be that of a local call
The Maintenance and Support services that the Government gets from the Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. is for a period of four years
(The Level A schools have separate maintenance and support agreements with their respective technology infrastructure providers.)
f. Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. also provided expertise in Project Management and Implementation, Business Process Reengineering, and Change Management
     
­ In addition, three multinational corporations, are also involved in the Smart School Integrated Solution. The three multinational corporations are as follows
 
 
a. BT Multimedia (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Project Management and Implementation)  
b. Electronic Data Systems IT Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Systems Integration)
c. NIIT Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (component provider for Teaching-Learning Materials for Science)

Pilot Project Timeline
   
The timeline for the Smart School Pilot Project is as follows:
  Date   Task
28 July 1999 Signing of Agreement between the Government and Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. (TSS)
August 1999
 
- TSS begins development of the Smart School Applications (Teaching-Learning Materials and the Smart School Management System)
- Start of Technology Infrastructure installation in selected Level B+ and B pilot schools
 
January 2000 Installation of Technology Infrastructure completed in 40 Level B+ and B pilot schools
April 2000 Installation of Technology Infrastructure completed in the remaining 41 Level B+ and B pilot schools, the Data Centre, and the Help Desk
September 2000 Start of installation of software (Teaching-Learning Materials and the Smart School Management System)
December 2002   Completion of installation of software (Teaching-Learning Materials and the Smart School Management System), and Final Systems Acceptance

Deliverables of the Smart School Pilot Project
Teaching and Learning Materials
- Teaching and Learning Materials for Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Mathematics and Science were delivered to the pilot schools and selected Divisions of the Ministry in the form of browser-based courseware, teacher's guides, student worksheets, and exemplar lesson plans. Textbooks for Secondary Mathematics were also delivered
- The number of courseware titles for each subject is as follows:
  Courseware Titles   Delivered
Bahasa Melayu 117
English Language 408
Primary Mathematics 153
Secondary Mathematics 408
Science 408
  Total   1494
Smart School Management System
- All the modules in the Smart School Management System were delivered to the Ministry in the form of functionalities
- The following functionalities for the computerised Smart School Management System were delivered according to the schedule given below
  November 2000   May 2001   November 2002
 

School Profile

Counseling Collaboration
 

School Calendar

Library Management

Human Resources Management

 

Staff Management

Bulletin Board

Facilities Management
 

Timetable

External Resources Management

Staff Management

 

Co-curriculum Management

Financial Management

 

Attendance

Hostel Management

 

Report Management

Analyzer
 

Curriculum Management

 

Electronic Lesson Planning

 

Assignment Management

 

Testing and Assessment Management

 

Student Profile

 

Central Server Application

 

Local Area Network Messaging

  Web Applications, E-mail, Internet
Technology Infrastructure
- The IT equipment delivered to the schools, the Data Centre, and the Help Desk are as follows
  Level B
(Laboratory Model)		   Aras B+
(Limited Classroom Model)		   Data Centre   Help Desk
37 computers 81 computers 10 computers 13 computers
2 notebooks 2 notebooks 1 notebook 2 notebooks
3 servers 3 servers 3 servers 5 servers
4 printers 18 printers 3 servers 5 servers
COINS leased line (128/64 kbps) COINS leased line (128/64 kbps) COINS leased line
(2 Mbps)		 COINS leased line
(2 Mbps)

Roll-out of the Smart School
 
   
 
- On 28 January 2003, the Smart School Steering Committee decided that the Smart School, as a Flagship Application of the Multimedia Super Corridor, must be rolled out to the rest of the country.  
     
- The Smart School Steering Committee is chaired by the Secretary-General of Education, and the members of the Committee include the Director-General of Education, the Deputy Directors-General, the Deputy Secretaries-General, Directors of the various Divisions of the Ministry of Education, representatives from Treasury, MAMPU, and the Treasury.
     
- The Committee also decided to present a proposal for the national roll-out of the Smart School to the Flagship Coordination Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government.
 
  On 13 February 2003, the Flagship Coordination Committee met and agreed to the following:
 
 
a.   Take note of the completion of the Smart School Pilot Project.
b. Affirm the Smart School concept as the basis for all technology initiatives in education.
c. Agree to the roll-out of the Smart School.
d. Agree that the Ministry of Education's Smart School Steering Committee shall develop and recommend an optimal roll-out model with a phased implementation approach to the MSC Malaysia Implementation Council chaired by the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet.
 
- The Flagship Coordination Committee suggested that the Ministry of Education prepare a proposal for the roll-out with the following considerations:
 
 
a.   Take into account all existing projects involving ICT, such as the Teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, and the School Computerisation Project, the national broadband strategy.
b. Focus attention on the Smart School Project, and review all other "ambitious" projects, especially those involving universities.
c. Develop a roll-out model that emphasises student learning
d. Consider various funding options, including full Government funding, partial Government funding, private sector funding, deferred payment on the part of the Government.
e. Be ready to present the proposal to the MSC Malaysia Implementation Council at their next meeting, probably in April 2003.
 
- The Flagship Coordination Committee advised the Ministry to capitalise on the provision of internet access to schools under the Ministry of Energy, Communications, and Multimedia's broadband roll-out strategy.
 
 
 

Post Pilot Project Activities
 
   
 
- Closing of Accounts  
 
a.   According to the terms of the Smart School Pilot Project Agreement, the designated Level A schools must be complete in terms of technology infrastructure one month before the Third Release of the Teaching-Learning Materials and the Smart School Management System in order to be included as Pilot Schools.
 
b. At the time of the Third Release, three Level A schools were still not completed, namely, SMK Putrajaya 2, SMK Batu Permai and SK Batu Permai.
     
- Warranty Period
     
a.   The Warranty Period for the Applications Software (Smart School Management System and the Teaching and Learning Materials) began on 1 January 2003 and will end on 31 December 2003.
 
b. All bugs, defects and errors detected in the Teaching-Learning Materials and the Smart School Management System during the warranty period will be corrected by the Company.
 
c. The end of the warranty period will also signify the end of the Smart School Contract Period.
     
- Marketing and Promotion of the Smart School Integrated Solution and Components
     
a.   A Main Licence Agreement was signed between the Government and the Company on 19 July 2002 which allowed Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. to, among other things, "modify, enhance" and "commercialise" the Smart School Integrated Solution including all software developed for the Government during the pilot project.
 
b. In return, the company the Government an annual royalty of two percent of the total of the licence fees received by the company.
 
c. c. As part of the Main Licence Agreement, the Government agreed to pay Telekom Smart School Sdn. Bhd. the sum of RM 15,000 as orientation fees for each school where the Smart School Integrated Solution is deployed.
     
- Evaluation of the Smart School Integrated Solution
     
a.   A team of evaluators, comprising representatives from local universities, the Ministry of Education, and the Multimedia Development Corporation has been commissioned to evaluate the Smart School Integrated Solution in terms of effectiveness and user acceptance.
 
b. Another team will work on benchmarking the Integrated Solution and its components with reference to global standards.
 
c. Both teams will deliver their findings in May 2003.
 
d. The Multimedia Development Corporation has agreed, in principle, to fund both projects.
 
 
 

Final Systems Acceptance (FSA)
 
   
 
- The Final Systems Acceptance (FSA) test was the final user acceptance test carried out by the Government on the Smart School Integrated Solution.  
     
- It represented end-user acceptance of the Smart School Integrated Solution at selected sites under operating conditions.
     
- It was based strictly on the successful running of daily, monthly and annual scenarios of school activities at four selected pilot schools, designated as beta schools.
     
- The Government had determined five Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that had to be fulfilled during the FSA. They are as follows:
     
a.   Successful launching of all courseware in guided and unguided mode.
 
b. Successful generation of the school timetable.
 
c. All functions in the Financial Module to be error free.
 
d. Successful use of Proxy Function for parents to access their children's records from home and for teachers to perform lesson planning from home.
 
e. Stability and Performance of the Wide Area Network to enable Data pushing and pumping from Data Centre at the Educational Technology Division to the 87 pilot smart schools.
     
- The four Beta Schools selected represented the various models of technology deployed in the 87 pilot smart schools throughout the country.
     
- The schools are as follows:
     
a.   Sekolah Menengah Sains (SMS) Selangor (Level B technology)
 
b. Sekolah Menengah Alam Shah (Level B+ Technology)
 
c. SK Seri Bintang Utara (Level A Technology)
 
d. SMK Seri Bintang Utara (Level A Technology)
     
- FSA Test Procedure:
     
a.   All errors were reported and logged at the Help Desk as System Observation Reports (SORs) for rectification by the Company.
 
b. Testing at Each Beta School
Each Beta School has a different Schedule of Scenarios depending on the nature and readiness of the school.
     
  School
  SMS Selangor
  SM Alam Shah
  SK Seri Bintang Utara
  SMK Seri Bintang Utara
 
  Scenarios
  All scenarios
  All scenarios except those relating to the Financial Management Module
  All scenarios except those relating to the Hostel/Boarding School module (outing, dormitory assignment, disciplinary, etc), Proxy
  All scenarios except those relating to the Hostel/Boarding School module (outing, dormitory assignment, disciplinary, etc), Financial
 
 
 

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