PUTRAJAYA: Headmasters and teachers will be rewarded from next year if their schools achieve their national key result area targets.

Indicating that school heads and teachers could expect a bonus of “a month or two” in salary, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also education minister, said the incentive package would be announced by the end of the year.

“Excellent performance does not only mean academically.

Other criteria, such as leadership quality, will also be taken into account.

“The incentives will come as a package as the success of a school does not depend solely on the headmaster.

“It must be a collective effort,” he said after presenting prizes to winners of the RHB Mighty Minds competition here yesterday.

In the 2010 Budget tabled on Friday, Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the rewards would be based on the performance of the schools.

On the government’s promise to reward the country’s best students, Muhyiddin said this year’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates would be the first to receive the National Scholarship from the Public Service Department.

He said they would be chosen based on merit, which include their academic performance as well as other criteria set by the government.

“A committee under the ministry will select the crème de la crème of SPM students for the scholarships from next year.” Muhyiddin also said the ministry was formulating a new curriculum to introduce a more holistic approach in the education system.

The revamp in the teaching and learning process in schools, he said, would make the education system less exam-oriented.

“For instance, we will include several components that will make the new curriculum more interactive, fun and modular. We will also help students be more proficient in languages.

“We want to look again at the whole system of learning and teaching to bring about a balanced learning environment.

“We will also focus on extracurricular activities, including sports, so that our students not only gain knowledge during their school years but also go through sound character building. ”