PALS:
PEER-ASSISTED LEARNING AND SHARING
Peer-Assisted Learning and Sharing (PALS) was introduced by Yayasan AMIR to deepen and extend the impact of the Trust Schools Programme (TSP). Rooted in the principles of peer mentorship, collaborative learning, and practitioner-led development, PALS was designed to sustain transformation momentum by connecting matured Trust Schools with partner schools in a structured support relationship.
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Piloted in Manjung Perak with the support of Yayasan Hasanah, PALS harnesses the experience, capacity, and leadership of matured Trust Schools; schools that have completed their formal TSP transformation phases - to mentor and uplift other public schools in their respective regions. It encourages organic, ground-up growth in school improvement by enabling educators to lead from within the system.
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The pilot cohort in Manjung, Perak commenced in 2024 and consists of the following schools:
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SK Seri Samudera
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(TS Cohort 2016/21)
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SJK (T) Mukim Pundut
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
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SK Kampung Dato’ Seri Kamaruddin
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
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SK Seri BAYU
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(TS Cohort 2016/21)
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SJK (T) Mukim Pundut
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
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SK Kampung Dato’ Seri Kamaruddin
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
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SMK Seri SAMUDERA
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(TS Cohort 2016/21)
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SMJK Dindings
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
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SMK Kampung Dato’ Seri Kamaruddin
(Peer School Cohort 2024)
PALS IS DELIVERED THROUGH A FOUR-PRONGED FRAMEWORK
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PEER MENTORING AND COACHING
Matured Trust Schools serve as mentor schools, providing hands-on support and guidance to partner or mentee schools. This includes school visits, co-teaching, lesson observation, collaborative planning, and reflective dialogue. The mentoring process is built on mutual respect, professional trust, and a shared commitment to student learning and school excellence.
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CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
Matured Trust Schools design and deliver CPD sessions tailored to the needs of their partner schools. These sessions may cover topics such as differentiated instruction, formative assessment, student voice, instructional leadership, or inclusive practices. By positioning practitioners as facilitators, the CPD model encourages real-world relevance and contextualised learning.
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COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (COP)
Participating schools form Communities of Practice (CoPs) to foster regular engagement, collaborative reflection, and joint problem-solving. These CoPs serve as safe spaces for educators to share insights, adapt tools and strategies, and co-create new practices—further strengthening school-based innovation and peer accountability.
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CPD AND SUPPORT PROGRAMMES FOR JPN AND PPD OFFICERS
Recognising the pivotal role of education officers in enabling school transformation, PALS also includes targeted professional development and support for officers at the State Education Department (JPN) and District Education Office (PPD) levels. These sessions are designed to enhance understanding of whole-school transformation practices, instructional leadership, and change management, so that the SIPs, SISCs and PPD Officers are better equipped to support and sustain improvement efforts within their respective jurisdictions.
Scaling the Impact of the Trust Schools Programme, PALS plays a critical role in scaling the impact of the Trust Schools Programme by:
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Extending good practices beyond the original TSP cohort, reaching new schools and educators through peer-led approaches.
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Building sustainable local capacity by empowering educators to lead professional learning and transformation efforts.
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Fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among schools, which supports system-wide upliftment from within.
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Equipping education officers with deeper insight and tools to provide contextualised, effective support to schools.
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Creating sustainable networks of practice that can evolve and grow organically, reducing dependence on external support.
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Through PALS, Yayasan AMIR enables the Trust Schools legacy to live on; not just as a programme, but as a mindset and movement of empowered educators and enablers committed to quality, equity, and holistic education for every child.
Yayasan AMIR (919856-X)
Suite 56, Unit 2-1, Level 2
The Podium, Tower 3, UOA Business Park
No 1, Jalan Pengaturcara U1/51A
Seksyen U1
40150 Shah Alam
Selangor
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+603 2935 0058
