Exploration of strategies by KAFA teachers in implementing Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) at Kelantan's primary school

Abstract

Curriculum is the most important component in the educational field. The Ministry of Education in Malaysia has the best curricula including the curriculum of Islamic Education that is parallel with the education of the 21st century. One of the curricula is integrating higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in Islamic Education. Kelas Al-Quran and Fardu Ain (KAFA or Al-Quran and Fardu Ain Class) is part of Islamic Education which focuses on the teaching of basic Islamic teaching at public primary schools in Malaysia. KAFA is organised under the supervision of Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia). The main purpose of the study is to identify the level of teachers’ awareness about HOTS, to investigate the challenges faced by KAFA teachers in implementing HOTS, and to investigate the strategies applied to overcome all of the challenges in implementing HOTS. Hence, qualitative data was collected from KAFA teachers in one public primary school under the Kelantan State through interview sessions and document analysis. The result indicated a moderate level of awareness of HOTS by KAFA teachers where the teachers are having a lack of understanding in preparing practical aspects of HOTS during class sessions. The study also showed that KAFA teachers are facing different types of challenges in implementing HOTS. However, they are giving their best to overcome all of the problems based on their understanding of HOTS. Initially, the results obtained can inform schools and the educational system on how to improve awareness about HOTS, as well as prepare teachers with new strategies for implementing HOTS based on current situation and needs.