Kamarozaman Abd Razak said the move was one of the solutions to the issue of heavy school bags that has been linked to students suffering from back pain.

“The government needs to revamp the syllabus to be more effective with the current times,” he told FMT. “It should not be as packed as it is now. There are too many topics that cannot be fully covered by teachers. What is important is the students’ understanding (of the topics) and not merely finishing the syllabus.”

Kamarozaman said school subjects change once every two weeks, so they are not covered comprehensively.

He suggested reducing the number of subjects taught in primary schools by focusing on Bahasa Melayu, English, religious studies, art, physical education and science and mathematics.

“Or integrate subjects in primary schools to be more practical and focused on skills,” he said.

He said Malaysia should follow New Zealand and Australia as there are too many subjects which are burdening students.

Kamarozaman also agreed with the suggestion for the need of lockers in schools, saying the government could help by footing 50% of the cost with parents covering the remaining 50%.

FMT had reported on the case of a Form 5 student, Nurul Hanim Fazwin, 17, who had to undergo corrective surgery after she developed an “S” spine.

Her paediatrician father, Mohd Zaqrul Razmal Mohd Podzi, attributed the condition, known as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, to the heavy school bag she had been lugging around for many years.

FMT also reported that NUTP president Aminuddin Awang said it was unfair to expect parent-teacher associations to bear the cost of installing lockers as not all of them could afford to do so.