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Hidden hands at work
THE Malaysian education system, despite some weaknesses, was one of the best in the world. This I learnt in 1984 when I was doing a Master’s course in Education and took an option entitled “Education in Developing Countries”.
The policies on the whole, grounded on sound education principles, were rational.
However, today, there are hidden hands which subvert government policy. Some parents have complained to me that a principal of a national-type secondary school in Kuala Lumpur had made it mandatory for her SPM students this year to take only nine subjects.
So no Bible Knowledge for the SPM, no Bahasa Cina, Bahasa Tamil, Bahasa Punjabi, etc. Not only that, she calls in the students who wish to take the 10th subject to dissuade them from signing up by asking them whether they are confident of getting an A for that subject.
This is surely wrong. No principal should be allowed to override the National Education Policy. Education is not solely about getting As.
The Malaysian education system rightly emphasises holistic education and has given students a wide choice to pursue subjects according to their aptitude and ability.
They should be free to take, as their 10th subject, Music Education, etc, which is allowed under the rules of the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia.
All that the principal should ask for is proof that the students are being instructed in the subject of their choice by their attendance and course work, but they should not be banned from signing up and studying for their 10th subject by personal agendas of school principals.
It makes me think whether this emphasis on academic As is due to heads desiring their schools to be high performing schools, and the top administrators getting monetary rewards for their schools’ success.
Very often, to get a high Grade Point Average, the schools would have to control the intake of students (only bright students need apply) and control the number of subjects they take.
But is this what education is all about? What happens to the students not academically inclined?
It could be that the “blue ocean” strategy employed to upgrade the national education system is used wrongly here. The schools which are better endowed would have an inbuilt advantage and the top administrators of such schools would be monetarily rewarded.
But is monetary reward for individuals the proper incentive? Should not the schools’ infrastructure be upgraded? Or the very fact that they have made it to the elite club of top performing schools be enough – no need for other rewards?
Should not the schools which are less well endowed be given more to make them better?
May I suggest that in this race to be a high performing school, there should be recognition for schools which have a heart for their students.
A rethink should be made about the NKRAs for education and
the monetary rewards for top administrators of high performing schools.
EDUCATIONIST, Petaling Jaya.
The Star Jan 11, 2012
Maybe they should protest on non-bumi paying the TAXES so that a University like this cannot be built on the tax-payers' $$.
Make sure your hard earned money is not used to produce such graduates! 
Related post:
Malaysian education heavily politicised, Quality ...
The policies on the whole, grounded on sound education principles, were rational.
However, today, there are hidden hands which subvert government policy. Some parents have complained to me that a principal of a national-type secondary school in Kuala Lumpur had made it mandatory for her SPM students this year to take only nine subjects.
So no Bible Knowledge for the SPM, no Bahasa Cina, Bahasa Tamil, Bahasa Punjabi, etc. Not only that, she calls in the students who wish to take the 10th subject to dissuade them from signing up by asking them whether they are confident of getting an A for that subject.
This is surely wrong. No principal should be allowed to override the National Education Policy. Education is not solely about getting As.
The Malaysian education system rightly emphasises holistic education and has given students a wide choice to pursue subjects according to their aptitude and ability.
They should be free to take, as their 10th subject, Music Education, etc, which is allowed under the rules of the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia.
All that the principal should ask for is proof that the students are being instructed in the subject of their choice by their attendance and course work, but they should not be banned from signing up and studying for their 10th subject by personal agendas of school principals.
It makes me think whether this emphasis on academic As is due to heads desiring their schools to be high performing schools, and the top administrators getting monetary rewards for their schools’ success.
Very often, to get a high Grade Point Average, the schools would have to control the intake of students (only bright students need apply) and control the number of subjects they take.
But is this what education is all about? What happens to the students not academically inclined?
It could be that the “blue ocean” strategy employed to upgrade the national education system is used wrongly here. The schools which are better endowed would have an inbuilt advantage and the top administrators of such schools would be monetarily rewarded.
But is monetary reward for individuals the proper incentive? Should not the schools’ infrastructure be upgraded? Or the very fact that they have made it to the elite club of top performing schools be enough – no need for other rewards?
Should not the schools which are less well endowed be given more to make them better?
May I suggest that in this race to be a high performing school, there should be recognition for schools which have a heart for their students.
A rethink should be made about the NKRAs for education and
the monetary rewards for top administrators of high performing schools.
EDUCATIONIST, Petaling Jaya.
The Star Jan 11, 2012
UiTM Bumi-students against the intake of Non-Bumi students into UiTM!
Maybe they should protest on non-bumi paying the TAXES so that a University like this cannot be built on the tax-payers' $$.
Malaysians!! All true Malaysian of all races ...WAKE UP & BE COUNTED !
Make sure your hard earned money is not used to produce such graduates!
Related post:
Malaysian education heavily politicised, Quality ...
