Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional method in which students work in collaborative groups to identify what they need to learn through facilitated problem solving. PBL can be very challenging to implement, as it requires a lot of planning and hard work. This qualitative research reports on the challenges in practicing PBL at one local institute in Malaysia. Data was collected using interviews and focus group involving one teacher and ten students’. Findings show that work overload, lack of training, role changes, wide curriculum coverage, attitudes and inadequate resources are some of the challenges identified. Most often the problems are not exhaustive, but if they are not dealt with, they may undermine the benefits that PBL offers. A survey type of research is foreseeable involving other PBL practitioners, in order to identify which problems pose the greatest challenge and thus address these problems.

This article explores the impact of continuous professional development (CPD) on teaching quality. The article provides a comprehensive overview of CPD, focusing on pedagogical skills, classroom problem-solving abilities, and the mediating role of leadership within educational institutions. This study used PRISMA approach by analyzing 2,432 English-language publications from 2023 to 2024 taken from the Scopus, Web of Sciences (WoS), and ERIC databases. The data were collected, reviewed, and underwent a peer-review process before a systematic literature review. This article synthesizes findings from final articles (n=24) into five main themes: student perceptions and teaching quality, professional development (PD) and teacher learning, role of leadership in teacher development, assessment and evaluation in teaching, and collaboration and community in teaching. The review reveals that CPD significantly enhances teaching quality by improving pedagogical skills and problem-solving capabilities in the classroom. Furthermore, leadership within educational institutions plays a crucial role in facilitating the positive effects of CPD on teaching quality. By fostering an environment that supports PD, collaborative learning, and reflective practice, educational leaders can amplify the benefits of CPD. This study contributes to the understanding of how CPD and effective leadership together can elevate teaching standards and outcomes, offering valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and academic leaders aiming to enhance educational quality through PD.

The unprecedented disruption in education due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced teachers worldwide to adapt to online teaching and the immediate implementation of home-based learning (HBL). However, little is known regarding teacher readiness for HBL. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop an instrument to measure teachers’ readiness for online teaching, which can provide feedback to guide policymakers and school leaders in planning strategic interventions and support for implementing HBL. This study aimed to refine and validate the HBL Teacher Readiness Scale and to ascertain the view of secondary school teachers on aspects of their readiness to implement HBL. A total of 931 from a population of 3826 secondary school teachers were selected using random sampling, from the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The validity and reliability of the HBL Teacher Readiness instrument were tested using exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis. As a result of the analysis, the scale remained at 26 items across four factors, namely efficacy in technology, attitude, perceived behaviour control, and subjective norms. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.94. Demographic analysis revealed that, overall, the in-service teachers’ level of readiness was at a high level across all dimensions, although the highest was in attitude and the lowest was in subjective norms. Based on this initial sample, the HBL Teacher Readiness Scale was shown to be a suitable instrument to measure teacher readiness for change in the context of the implementation of HBL, although further testing should be conducted on more diverse groups.

This research examined leadership practices in the unique context of primary schools with smaller levels of enrolment, specifically small schools in Malaysia. These are schools with an enrolment of up to 150 students that are primarily located in rural areas. This study explored the challenges encountered by experienced head teachers of such schools and, more importantly, identified the strategies head teachers employed to overcome these challenges. This was achieved through a qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with experienced head teachers from five small schools. The findings demonstrate that all five schools faced similar challenges: financial constraints, a dilapidated infrastructure, lack of human resources, and competence-related issues among teachers. All respondents overcame these challenges with creativity and passion. They found alternative methods with which to generate school funds, adopted the role of learner leaders by developing their information and communication technology skills, and served as role models for instructional leadership. The findings will enable policymakers and school leaders, particularly those involved in small schools, to provide quality education for every child. Nevertheless, further studies involving a greater number of respondents are needed to understand the complex challenges involved in managing small schools and the optimal ways of overcoming these.

This study investigates the role of higher education strategies in enhancing the employability of international students in the postpandemic era, employing the USEM (understanding, skills, efficacy beliefs, metacognition) as a theoretical framework. By focusing on targeted interventions, this research explores how higher education institutions address key employability dimensions to support students’ academic, professional, and personal development. Using a systematic literature review approach guided by the PRISMA framework, the study included 23 publications from 2020--2024. The findings highlight the effectiveness of strategies such as culturally responsive reflective practices, work-integrated learning (WIL), tailored career support, and curriculum-embedded skill development. These approaches enhance students' abilities, equipping them with the ability to succeed in competitive and diverse labor markets. By providing actionable insights, this research enriches the understanding of employability strategies within the USEM framework and offers valuable recommendations for institutions and policymakers to design culturally inclusive, evidence-based career interventions.

In Malaysia, sixth form is a post-secondary education that is comparable to pre-university programs such as A-level and Foundation qualifications. Enrolment in sixth forms has dwindled over the past ten years due to assumptions that the curriculum is difficult and because it is offered in regular secondary schools. Thus, the sixth form transformation program was introduced in 2015 with the purpose to rebrand sixth form education to a new setting comparable to other pre-university education, with a focus on improving the school climate and increasing teacher self-efficacy. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the level and relationship of the school climate on teacher self-efficacy. This survey was carried out using a questionnaire instrument, involving 695 sixth form teachers currently in Selangor. The findings showed that the level of school climate and teacher self-efficacy in all sixth form centers were at a high level. There was also a strong positive relationship between the school climate and sixth form teachers’ self-efficacy. Social and academic dimensions contributed significantly to the teacher self-efficacy of 38%. Hence, further studies looking at aspects that suggestively contribute to the school climate should be given due attention to ensure that transformation planning can be implemented as intended.