Through UNICEF’s Learning Pioneers Programme, Malaysian teachers are equipping themselves with digital tools and strategies to shape the country’s 2027 school curriculum.
Malaysian educators are taking bold steps to shape the country’s future classrooms—armed with digital tools, innovative strategies, and a vision for impactful learning. Through UNICEF’s Learning Pioneers Programme, local teachers are not only preparing for Malaysia’s 2027 school curriculum but also helping define it.
“I finally have a way to introduce technology in my classrooms, and I know my students will love it,” said a mathematics teacher from Putrajaya during a two-day training held in August 2025.
The training brought together over 30 teachers from four Malaysian states, along with policymakers, EdTech professionals, and education experts. The goal: to equip teachers with the skills to integrate educational technology (EdTech) that boosts literacy and numeracy in line with national education goals.
A Blueprint for the 2027 Curriculum
Fadzliaton Zainudin, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Education’s Educational Resources and Technology Division, underscored the significance of this initiative in providing the groundwork for teachers to implement Malaysia’s forthcoming 2027 school curriculum. “By mastering these digital platforms, you are not just preparing for 2027. You are becoming the architects of the very foundation on which it will stand. You are ahead of the curve, exploring the methodologies that will soon become central to Malaysian education,” she told teachers said during the training.
The Learning Pioneers Programme, led by UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub in collaboration with six UNICEF Country Offices and the respective Ministries of Education, aims to identify and scale safe and impactful digital tools that can address learning gaps, particularly for children in vulnerable situations, while equipping Ministries with innovative approaches in education.
Malaysia joined the first cohort of this global programme, kicking off its involvement with an Innovation Camp in Helsinki, Finland in April 2024. During the camp, Malaysian officials and educators assessed the nation’s needs and selected EdTech solutions tailored to local contexts.
UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub aims to accelerate equitable access to world-class digital learning solutions and convene a global community of visionaries to build the future of learning. Finland, a key UNICEF partner, hosts both the Global Learning Innovation Hub and the Innovative Finance Hub.
“Finland’s education system is grounded in equity, inclusivity, and a strong belief in every child’s right to quality learning,” said Anne Vasara, Finnish Ambassador to Malaysia. “These values guide our collaboration with UNICEF to support inclusive education worldwide.”
EdTech in Action: Eduten and GraphoGame
Two digital tools from UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn Portfolio—Eduten and GraphoGame—are now being introduced in selected Malaysian schools to improve foundation numeracy and literacy, respectively. These tools aim to boost learning outcomes through sound pedagogical approaches and evidence-based methods. Both tools, featured in the Learning Cabinet, were selected through a rigorous selection process using UNICEF’s EdTech for Good Framework, UNICEF’s 5-Dimensional Innovation Framework and further due diligence.
Following the training, teachers began implementing these tools in classrooms, with ongoing data collection as part of the implementation research to monitor progress and guide future expansion. The selected schools may serve as pioneering models for broader EdTech integration across the country.
A National Push for Innovation
Zainal Abas, Deputy Director General of Education, highlighted Malaysia’s broader commitment to digital transformation in education. He noted that 367 Teacher Resource Centres have already been upgraded into Centres of Excellence, complete with digital hubs and modern learning tools.
Speaking on the occasion, Azlina Kamal, Education Specialist at UNICEF Malaysia said: “These are not just applications. They are bridges that connect our children, regardless of background or ability, to quality education. Through this workshop, we are not merely introducing new technology, but we are embracing a mindset of equity, inclusion, and innovation.” she concluded, emphasizing her hope for the training to be a source of inspiration for teachers.
As the Learning Pioneers Programme unfolds, Malaysia is not only preparing for a digital future—it is actively leading the way.
