Republic of virtue, 7/08

Malaysia's educational reform: can the yellow states lead the way?

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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 08:18

The current state of education in Malaysia, after fifty years of independence, lacks the excellence and the rigour, the political will to recognise equity and equal opportunity, and lack of empathy in looking at the class divisions forming in the process of schooling. Azly Rahman dr.azly.rahman@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/ "To evolve into wiser individuals with enquiring minds, we must ask questions and reflect upon the answers suggested to us. If we are afraid to ask questions, our mind and consciousness will be owned and manipulated by those who think they have the right answers, or by those who wants to use force to tell us what the right answers shall be." – My thoughts on the nature of learning "I currently firmly believe that education should first be a dialectical and dialogical tool to mediate and resolve the contradictions between Existentialism and Cyberneticism, and of Cultures of Disabilities, ...and next be a Deconstructive-Reconstructivist tool and social force to engineer personal and social revolutions and progress towards the realisation of a personal republic of virtue, ethics, multiculturalism, and metaphysics; so that human beings endowed with the Natural Rights to be free may collectively become educated to rise above hegemony, domination, and oppression and in the final analysis, journey towards a Pastoral and Natural self ." - my personal philosophy of teaching Let's take a break from thinking about Malaysian politics. Justice will take its natural course, the natural "way", like how Lao Tzu would philosophize. Let us talk about the possiblities in education. I have some ideas on how we can evolve out of this current political quagmire and focus our attention to an ever-pressing national question: how best to educate the children of our nation. We need to have the states governed by Pakatan Rakyat to experiment with a new paradigm of educational reform. To showcase what "human capital revolution", "education across the life span" and "education for creative and critical consciousness" means. Not only to showcase one but to have a continuous improvement plan that uses data-driven and sociologically reflective techniques to engineer, nurture, and sustain such changes until education becomes the only means to educate the child to become a thinking, feeling, and reflecting human being skilled to live in harmony with people of different races and consistently exploring the power to transform the self. In other words, we need to interrogate our educational practices and see if indeed the one that is engineered by the current regime of Barisan Nasional is effective. We can embark upon a longitudinal comparative study – which states will progress better with a different set of idea of what education ought to be. The Yellow states of Pakatan Rakyat and the Blue states of Barisan Nasional can each be given five years to showcase improvement. We need to give them only these concepts to work on: "nature of the human beings", "nature of the human mind", "nature of learning and teaching", "nature of change", "nature of intellectual freedom", "nurture of human intelligence", "nurture of multiculturalism", and "nurture of class consciousness". Game on Let educational philosophers and planners and practitioners form each camp design their long-term strategies and pull together their experts and their resources. The ultimate goal after five years is to do this: which states will have the least drop-outs, least at-risk youths, least youths incarcerated, most globally-minded, most employable graduates, and more intelligent, more world-wise, and more emphatic leaders in society. Which states would have the best teachers with the best teaching skills and strategies, most engaged students, most creative classroom, most frequent integration of project-based learning strategies, most innovative assessment strategies, most inquisitive students, happiest learners, most-mentally resilient and gung-ho graduates, and most internationally-recognized awards? Which states would still have the most unmotivated teachers, most vandalised schools, most neglected students, most number of daily truancy cases, most absent teachers, most stratified schools districts, most wasted class periods, most under-funded schools, most number of tuition classes, most frequent interference of politicians who do not have any business interrupting schools, most mentally lethargic learners, and most unmotivated and unskilled graduates who still need to be coached during job interviews? That would be a good experiment in human and social transformation. We need an independent body of researchers to report on the state of educational improvement in these two set of states – the Yellow and the Blue states. The winner of the game will get to take over the entire operation of the Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Higher Education. The winner will get to set up another ministry – The Ministry of Human Intelligence, fashioned after Venezuela's many years ago, to look into education in the most comprehensive sense of its definition. We need benchmarks of success; those that would reflect national and international standards of excellence, equity, and empathy in education. These standards need to be met cumulatively and progressively, pegged meaningfully and authentically to SMART national and international standards. Point-of-no-return The current state of education in Malaysia, after fifty years of independence, lacks the excellence and the rigour, the political will to recognise equity and equal opportunity, and lack of empathy in looking at the class divisions forming in the process of schooling. It is slow in restructuring society based on the alleviation of poverty regardless of race. It has failed in its commitment to instill the spirit of Muhibbah; a concept the current government had asked children to sing to in the early 1970s. It is in fact using more sophisticated ways to divide and rule society so that the hegemony of race-based politics will continue to become a status quo. We are at a critical stage of "point-of-no-return" in education; our conveyor belt of nationalistic-tribalistic education philosophy guised under the name of "educational progress", is going haywire, sending our batch-processed children off tangent in this Rostowian ideology of educational progress. What a waste of talent and human capital. Instead of turning them into lotuses of learners that bloom, we are making them bricks in the wall. But first things first, as Steven Covey would say. Let us first commission a new study of drop-out/keciciran, using good qualitative and quantitative data next and find strategies to deal with it. Our nation is actually in danger of a major human development crisis, compounded by the current oil and food crisis. The revolution of March 8 needs a new means to sustain a good idea for human development and social change. It has the potential of political, cultural, and educational renewal. We Malaysians must all rise beyond the current pre-September 16 national-political crisis that is imploding and exploding multi-directionally against the backdrop of a world that is perpetually in crisis. Winning children But this proposed game of Yellow-Blue educational reform is not about creating and projecting an image alone. It is about our fear for our children's future. It is about our passion in education and how one can learn from educational practices worldwide. I believe talents are wasted. There are solutions that this current regime has not yet discovered. Our goal is to see children of ALL races progress. That's what any religion and humanistic philosophy teaches. Whatever success one's own children have achieved, that success formula MUST be applied to the children of others, especially of the poor. That's what a good philosophy of education should mean to us. We cannot discriminate any child; at all levels of his/her development. The mind is too precious to be under the control of the ignorant, the arrogant, and the xenophobic. Perhaps the state of Selangor as the most progressive state can show us the way forward in education; and the fruits of success shared with others. It can even be a hub for top notch and quality education that will link its institutions with top notch programs, institutes, and colleges worldwide. Perhaps this state can be spearhead the radical reform and see an intellectually sustainable culture emerging. Perhaps Selangor's state university UNISEL (Universiti Industri Selangor) can be the impetus for change; spearheading comprehensive reforms at all levels. This will be followed by other state-owned and private universities until we see a parallel paradigm running; each documenting and reporting successes and rooms for improvement based on a "child-centered" curriculum that guarantees success for all. The Barisan Nasional government has its own idea of what Malaysian education should look like; an idea closely tied to communal/race-based politics and the obsession with mind-control, obedience, and the lessening of critical thinking. It has its own competent Vice Chancellors that are working hard to have their institutions reach world-class status. But looking at things from a collaborative point of view, perhaps these two ideologies in education (the yellow-blue ideological-dichotomy) can one day be dissolved when the experiment's over. Ultimately bi-partisan thinking should govern educational change. Ultimately in education, philosophy will triumph over politics. When must we then embark upon this game of education – the race for excellence, equity, and empathy in education? It must be a game in which every child must come out a winner. Comments (15) ... written by Alice, July 29, 2008 10:15:34 Oh I couldn't agree more. Dr Azly Rahman should be made the new Education Minister when Pakatan takes over report abuse disagree 2 agree 25 ... written by HARIMAU BIN ABDULLAH, July 29, 2008 10:25:53 The failure to master English is a costly affair. Secondly, the education system plus NEP has produced a severely handicapped society over a period of time, as evidenced by the record number of unemployable graduates, plus our screwed-up polis force and judiciary system. What more to say about the lame-duck PM with his HP6 cabinet?? report abuse disagree 1 agree 22 ... written by kota marudian, July 29, 2008 10:37:24 The problem with Malaysian education is that they a worried about creating free and individual thinkers. They try to teach students that they have to bow to authorities. My son is seventeen and the teacher still takes scissors to his hair in school even though he had it cut a month ago. They are not looking for people who can think but people that will follow. That is why all Malaysian ministers send their kids abroad to study, so they can continue ruling the country after their fathers retire. Without free thinker Malaysia will go nowhere and be a backward country for ever. report abuse disagree 2 agree 28 ... written by ctchoolaw, July 29, 2008 10:40:32 Read English vs Bahasa in teaching Science & Maths http://ctchoolaw.blogspot.com/...a-inc.html report abuse disagree 0 agree 1 ... written by pixieface, July 29, 2008 12:39:54 All the unemployed 80,000 graduates should go back to school and reassessed again. this time take intensive english classes. remember the advert "don't belok belok" this is exactly what is happening with our education system. DON'T BELOK BELOK. ENGLISH is the international language of communication. if you are smart don't forget mandarin as well. china is the place to do business now. look towards asia now and not US. food for thought. report abuse disagree 0 agree 11 ... written by netaddict1, July 29, 2008 13:24:26 Our education system is the obvious reason for the country's decline in global competitiveness, but BRAIN-DRAIN is another issue that our leaders seem oblivious to. As Fairminded mentioned "send your kids overseas"... how many of them actually come back to the country to contribute to the economy? The very successful scholarship programme in Singapore - the ASEAN Scholarship, for instance, has lured away thousands of brainy people from Malaysia. My sister, for example, took up the scholarship after scoring 10As in SPM 20 years ago and has been working in Singapore till today since graduation. Many many brainy Malaysians are overseas contributing to those economies. While we keep on importing unskilled labour from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Vietnam, not to mention other illegals from neighbouring countries, how do you think our economy will perform in 20 years from now comparing with, say, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore? Mind you, these countries that were mentioned were at par with Malaysia in terms of economy way back in the 1970s... but where are we compare to them now? and in 20 years we'll be at par with Kambodia or Laos... Just SAD. report abuse disagree 0 agree 12 ... written by sbp boy, July 29, 2008 13:25:36 The gigantic China Communist Govt. has started to dig back quietly the non-religious Philosophies / Teachings of Confusius & Lao Tze to practice the aimilar teachings after burning them to the graves back in the Mao's Culture Revolution. Why? This has also been a small culture cultivated in few chinese based govt. schools here in Malaysia. Check out some of the schools whom excel in not just public govt. exams (tonnes of straight As students) but also in international arena or music etc.. The kids there are lucky to have gone thru out-of-official-school-timetable extra only ~15mins/day of the mentioned teachings above. 'Muhibbah' in community is achieved according to Confusius,'When one can sleep at his home every night with all the doors wide open, that's 'Muhibbah''. We are far far away from this. Kinda impossible with our current situation. How about minimizing the few locks instead? This is proven Education for >5,000yrs old. Check it out. report abuse disagree 1 agree 4 ... written by Fairminded, July 29, 2008 16:33:01 Ideally yes, good idea but it will not fly because of the NEP. a good education system is based on competition on a level ground. If Malaysia wanted its own Nobel prize winners, world reknown artist, scientists etc in all fields of human knowledge and endeavours, then you have to get rid of the NEP in education. Encourage the Malays to study and work harder by giving anyone who achieves the standard a scholarship but no free ride just because he/ she is a Malay. Retain our best scholars by giving them a choice of studies rather than giving them what are left after the NEP quotas. But then, pessimistically, this will not happen because NEP is like a drug to drug addicts, and crutches to the handicap. Who will give up such easy goodies once they have had it? Dream on. Mayasian education will continue to decline. Just save and send your kids overseas. report abuse disagree 0 agree 25 ... written by teo siew chin, July 29, 2008 16:51:20 all the monies spent on mega-projects.. yet not enough spent on the most crucial mega-project: EDUCATION. bring in the best educators from all over the world and let our nation be the CENTRE of learning for our rakyat AND the citizens of the world. Malaysia Boleh?! report abuse disagree 0 agree 10 ... written by DontPlayGod, July 30, 2008 04:16:21 UMNO has never been interested in quality education, after all the bigwigs in UMNO don't send their children there. Our public schools are only meant for the poor rakyat who have been buying all the crab of "ketuanan" from UMNO. report abuse disagree 0 agree 10 ... written by educationist, August 01, 2008 19:08:42 Very inspiring and thought provoking. But, the big but is that education here is under federal control. Unless UMNO gives the go-ahead no change can occur in our education system even in the yellow states. For the record, no PR activities are allowed to be held in government educational premises, what to say trying a whole new paradigm shift in educational practises!! report abuse disagree 0 agree 1 ... written by DamnPekcek, August 03, 2008 01:33:30 I'm not sure what PP will bring us. All i think tat Malaysia could not be any worse, than any moment in her history. So we've got nothing to lose, so why not(change)? report abuse disagree 0 agree 3 ... written by PeacefulMalaysia, August 06, 2008 11:54:40 they have to change the system otherwise where will the racist tudung teachers go to - sell nasi lemak to the "keling pariah" ha ha ha let them do what the **** they want to do as long as we chinese and indians teach our children to respect all races we will go a long way report abuse disagree 2 agree 3 ... written by vanahom, August 08, 2008 09:03:56 Well done Mr Azli Rahman. This country needs people like you. Well when talk about our education system, it could track us back to more dirty deeds and evil thoughts of politicians and hypocrites living in this country. In this 21st century, after 51 years of independence we are still struggling to keep our education system on par with ever challenging global economy, science and technology. I just would like to share my personal experience. I am from a small kampong but managed to touch the feet of England to pursue my higher education. Only after going to England I realized that how backward our education system is when compared to the students from other countries especially India. An undergraduate Malaysian and an undergraduate Indian have vast difference in thinking and knowledge. Mostly Malaysian students have been branded as an average and only could hold up to marginal passes. In overall, Malaysians could not compete with other foreign graduates. I have close India Indian friends and was amazed with the amount of knowledge they have when talking about education, science, technology. Everything is just at the back of their mind. Malaysia have been practicing Exam feared culture whereby we memorize and pass the exam and will forget everything the next morning. Mostly Malaysians will live with their own group, speak their own mother tongue, and then heads back home. This has developed some inferiority complex among our Malaysian students. You can count how many Malaysians mix around with foreign students and take part in discussions. I would say none. Most of the Indian graduates managed to get job in England but Malaysians even tough with the same qualifications could not make it. The English recognizes Indian education and they are given the most priority. Most of the professional in England and USA is from India. We Malaysians look down on them, but in fact we have to accept the fact that they look down on us. Why we could not prepare our kids to compete with these people from all around the world? We are just Jaguh kampong, and be proud of ourselves with our eyes, minds and hearts closed. Now tell me where we have failed? Who failed it? Who to blame? Why we can’t create any innovators, scientists, creators, artists, sportsman, etc? Why? Why? Why? Most of the Malaysian professionals and educators are migrating to other foreign countries to look for better opportunity and bright future for them and their kids. Places like US and UK, you will be awarded based on your talent but not based on your color or race. Think!! report abuse disagree 0 agree 3 ... written by born2reign, August 10, 2008 10:58:38 Hmmm, good recommendation Azly. The critical success factors of the education system lies with the principals of school. 1) Who pays the salaries of school principals and teachers? Who evaluates their performance and promotes the teachers? Many former English teachers (non-Malays) who spoke perfect English were not promoted but the Malay MBA grads who can't get their grammar right, were the ones promoted. 2) Who designed the school syllabus and curriculum? 3) Who are the students mixing with? You are only as "rich" as the 5 ppl you spend the most time with...are their friends those who rise under pressure or those who buckle (&demonstrate Bumi privileges) under pressure? 4) Are exam papers marked with the same high standards as oth races' exam papers? (A college official recently told me that in order for the private college to obtain University standard in Malaysia, it must reduce its passing standards) 5) There are so many Malaysian accounting graduates who were unemployed, and the big 4 accounting firms were "persuaded" to employ them at half the salary, while govt pays the oth half. And yet the audit managers said these half-cooked graduates could not cope and eventually had to be transferred out to less pressured environment. Can the state govts increase the passing marks of exams and ensure all are passed by merits? Is this the reason why CPA Australia is internationally recognised but our own MIA is not? 6) We as parents, and our children cannot wait for the govt or state govt to finish with the internal politics. I have already pulled my kid out of govt schools and put into private home schooling system, recognised in USA and Australia and private colleges. Our only wish is that our children won't be forced to attend govt controlled schools that brainwash our children and transfer racist teachers(some) to another unfortunate school to instill more racist propaganda. Perhaps my recommendation is to have semi-private schools funded by a certain state education/ NGO, who recruits the right teachers and adopts meritocracy standards for all students. And salary adjustments and promotions must adhere to clearly established policies and go through the school's Board. There may be privileges for the hardcore poor and disabled but not based on Bumi status (unless they are disabled). report abuse disagree 0 agree 2 Write comment This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment. You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

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