Teach Radical Malaysian History in our Schools

>>Link<<

My take: About time. It's been talked about to death already. Especially on History. Why are we fed one side of the story and not allowed to ask or comment on the other side? And the current system does not encourage thinking. Questions asked are quashed by using the rhetoric "non-examinable questions".

Time for change. Change, which will not come unless we have a revolution [and we lack leaders for that].

My favourite question returns to haunt readers:
Q: Should he have rebelled against the Sultan?

And my answer will still be:
A: Yes he should.

Literate Goons and Well-trained Zombies

>>Link<<

My take: Some measure of rote learning helps us ace exams, but to gauge the true depth of our students you need to get them thinking in detail. As the article points out, one of the ways would be to make students "change" the past through visualising concepts. This has been done in the Singaporean schooling system, and it should be done in our system as well. In many ways it will help us along, although if the implementation is done in the same way as our present method of teaching Literature, the system will fail horribly.

Q: Should he rebel against the Sultan?
A: Why of course he should.

A+ way to get the best of the best in SPM

>>Link<<

I'm sorry, I still don't see how this will help. I foresee a lot of students falling into that A+ category. Unless you're going to use something like a scaled normal distribution graph, this is not going to bode well at all. It's just dressing the salad with a different oil, the taste is more or less the same.

News updates

RM42k for a laptop: >>Link<<

Well, once again the great toilet seat story strikes again, this time in the form of super expensive laptops. If they were inlaid with Swarovski crystals and had the equivalent processing power of Deep Blue, I'd warrant that price. But obviously it doesn't, which means someone is fiddling with the accounts. Nice job wasting taxpayers' money.

97% of parents in 7 schools want teaching in English to continue aka the Maths and Science debacle: >>Link<<

What can they really do? I'll be waiting for updates, but till then, it's still going to be a case of government reversing decent policies.

UPM lecturers hauled up over plagiarism

>>Link<<

Comments: I remember doing basic research during SAM, and also now in uni. Since when did we not have to cite Internet articles?

Conclusion: UPM fails at finding quality researchers.

Regarding the policy reversal

[Disclaimer: the author is a product of the Malaysian education system. Any comments he makes here are true and not embellished in any way.]

After 6 years of implementation, 6 long years, now the policy has been reversed. I will tell you the same thing proponents of the policy say: Don't waste our money on changing plans back and forth. And now a quick shoutout to all those blithering idiots supporting the reversal.

To the Malay nationalists:

No, teaching Science and Maths in English is a good concept. It will not weaken the position of Malay, seeing that the standard of SPM Bahasa Malaysia questions are extremely high compared to the parody of an exam you call the SPM English 1119 paper. And there are already so many subjects taught in Malay, so there is no need to teach every non-language subject in Malay.

To the Chinese traditionalists:

If you enjoy Chinese so much, go. Just leave Malaysia. I have seen with my eyes how the Chinese in Australia adapt to using English in schools. Yes, I know they are forced to do it because of the system. But they are adapting to the system, not forcing the system to change every few years. Besides, Chinese students have been beating the crap out of the Malaysian education system, consistently scoring many A1's in SPM. So if our students have been able to do it when the mode of instruction was in Malay, and they did it again when Science and Maths were taught in English, why not let them continue? Why the resistance? Why can't we prove that the Chinese are flexible? Besides, why do you even support Malay at secondary school levels? Shouldn't you campaign for Chinese education to be available at all levels?

Mixed feelings over switch, eh? Go screw yourself, says the wise one

Yet another change to the education system, yet another way of wasting taxpayers' money.

Define "mother tongue". Is it:

a) the language you first spoke at home?
or
b) the language of your race?

I remember some of us trying to debate this question with a lecturer last year. Sadly, to some people, as long as:

a) you aren't white,
b) you don't have a white parent,
c) you weren't born in an English speaking country, and lived there for more than 3 weeks,

you automatically don't qualify to say English is your mother tongue. Which is really unfair for those of us who've spoken English more than any other language since young. Hey, in case anyone high up reads blogs from the masses, understand this: we demand our rights too. Don't leave us out just because we aren't the majority. Our parents still pay you taxes, and I simply hate to see their hard-earned money going down the drain caused by the government changing plans every decade or so.

And why do the politicians need to come out to welcome the move? This seems like a sign that political pressures still rule this country of ours, that students are just pawns in the chess game of politics. So, in future, if you really want to change the lives of people, don't be an engineer or architect or scientist. Go and be a POLITICIAN. Even though you'll be cursed by everyone for failing them, you get to see your stuff implemented. You'll be happy, your supporters will be happy, your enemies will be happy, it's all a win-win situation, eh?

English is, and will be, the language for disseminating information throughout the world. General English is for communication purposes only. If you can't read and write technical terms in English, don't dream of going to any white man's land. Stay at home. Do your degree locally, feed the local education industry, earn lots of ringgit and make Malaysia proud. UTAR needs students. UiTM needs students. Go make them happy. Stay at home and make more champs. Then at international meetings, the only Malaysians you'll be seeing will be those who fit any one of these categories:

a) went to international schools
b) were born overseas, educated overseas since young
c) were through some distant relative, linked back to Malaysia

In short, the ones who will make us proud are the ones who ran away from the hopelessly failing education system. They will carry our flag, hidden in the shadows of another bigger flag.


To Muhyiddin, I don't know whether you enjoy this switch, but have fun facing criticism. To the Cabinet ministers who voted "Nay" to the change, I'm with you. To those who voted "Aye" for the change, I hope that your next trip in a bus ends up over a cliff. Hopefully while your contingent goes up to Genting, your driver fucks up. Good luck with facing rotten eggs anyway. Don't forget, the ones who understand more will end up with the world. Like Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha. Not politicians.

Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues

The Star
Published: Wednesday July 8, 2009 MYT 2:42:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday July 8, 2009 MYT 3:55:24 PM
Math and Science back to Bahasa, mother tongues

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided that the medium of instruction for Maths and Science will revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and mother-tongue languages in national-type schools from 2012 onwards.

The reversal of the Teaching of Math and Science in English (PPSMI) policy will be done in stages, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday.

He however added that there will be greater emphasis on learning the English language.

English literature will be re-introduced, as will subjects on grammar and composition.

Beginning 2012, students in Year One and Year Four in primary schools, and Form One and Form Four in secondary schools, will learn Math and Science in Bahasa Malaysia.

The change will not affect those in Form Six and Matriculation.

The two subjects will be taught in two languages until 2014 for other students, he said.

“The gap between rural and urban students has widened since PPSMI started.

“Only 19.2% of secondary teachers and 9.96% of primary teachers were sufficiently proficient in English,” he said, explaining the Government’s decision to revert to the old system.

On efforts to emphasise the learning of English, the number of English teachers would be increased by 13,933 -- retirees would be hired, as well as foreigners if need be.

Primary schools will also increase English classes by 90 minutes a week.

There have been calls from various groups for the policy to revert to before 2003, when the subjects were taught in Bahasa Malaysia in national schools, and either in Chinese or Tamil in national-type schools.

The issue has seen a rare alliance between Malay and Chinese educationists, who are against the switch, although there are also calls by many parents and entrepreneurs for English to be maintained.

Thank goodness my brother and sister escape the horrors of reverting to BM and mother tongues for Science and Maths. They're just one year ahead of this epic reversal stunt pulled off by the Cabinet.

Let's look at something I find interesting:

The issue has seen a rare alliance between Malay and Chinese educationists, who are against the switch...

Do you really think that they are allied against the teaching of Science and Maths in English for the same reasons? I don't think so. The two groups may be allied in their stand, but one thing has been clear from the start: They each have their own agendas. As far as I understand [and this understanding may be biased or flawed], the Malays feel that the "superiority" of their language is being threatened by English. On the other hand, the Chinese educationists believe that the majority of Chinese students are not making much headway with Science and Maths taught in English. It's basically two different groups of people, with different reasons for uniting against a common problem. What they plan after that is another point entirely. Which worries me. Will another different group of people demand something else again later on? And how will the Cabinet decide this time round?

Conspiracy theories aside, all I can say regarding this piece of news is that the education system in Malaysia is just another step towards generating failures. "Malaysisa", one of the most common spelling mistakes for "Malaysia", might soon become fact rather than fiction, if we keep spewing out "sisa" like the person writing the letter in the post below this.

Malaysian English

Malaysia-Today
Why English should not be taught in Bahasa Malaysia
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 07 July 2009 15:20

There is currently a brouhaha going on about the proposed teaching of Science and Maths in English. Some would like these two subjects to be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. I am not too concerned about Science and Maths. I am more worried about English. I feel English should no longer be taught in Bahasa Malaysia.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

And why do I think that English should not be taught in Bahasa Malaysia? Well, maybe this circular from one of Malaysia’s leading universities would explain everything.
*************************************************

4th UiTM INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FIESTA
19 – 23 November 2009 FUTSAL-RUGBY 7- TENPIN BOWLING-BADMINTON

Dear Sport Friends,

Regarding about the global issue H1N1 happens around the world, sadly to be informing that our UiTM International Sports Fiesta will be postponing to 19-23 November 2009.

For all teams which have been confirm to participate in our events, we have to say sorry for this announcements and our Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Health also advise to us to change the date for this current situation.

By the date have been confirm incoming this November hopefully your teams still can participate in our event and don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

And again, we would like to say sorry about the date change for the sake of our health among us.

See you in this November at UiTM Malaysia!!

Regards,

Mr. Mustaza Ahmad
Director
Sports Centre
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Malaysia

I have nothing more to say about this other than:

EPIC FAIL

English again

The Star, Wednesday June 17, 2009
DPM: Students must improve command of English
By KAREN CHAPMAN and PRIYA KULASAGARAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government recognises the need to improve students’ command of English to ensure they can compete globally.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said students must be proficient in the language and have other skills to interact with the global community and tap into knowledge.

“Equity of access must be demonstrated in the provision of the knowledge and skills that will facilitate this access,” he said when delivering his welcome remarks before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak opened the 17th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

“While we are aware of the importance of mother tongue instruction in the early years of childhood education, we also need to address the future needs of our youth,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said Malaysia has always believed in the sharing of experience and knowledge through partnerships with each other in the region and beyond to attain Unesco’s Education for All goals.

As lack of resources often limits access to universal education, all stakeholders including governments, donors and the people must act to overcome it.

He said Malaysia was working with its Seameo, Asean and Unesco partners to make Education for All a reality.

The conference, which was also the golden jubilee celebration of the first Commonwealth Education Ministers’ Meeting in Oxford in 1959, was an ideal platform to minimise the impact of the global economic crisis on the education system of member states, he added.

Speaking to reporters later, Muhyiddin said the Government was close to making a decision on the language of instruction for Mathematics and Science.

“I will be briefing the Prime Minister soon.”

The Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy was introduced in stages, starting with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students, in 2003.

Proficient in the language indeed. Hmm. Why is it when Malaysians go overseas, some of them find it easier to speak in Malay?

And why does the Education Ministry find it useful to keep changing its policies? If you're a fan of conspiracy theories, I think you'll find the answer pretty fast.

Oh and one more interesting note:

"Close to making a decision on the language of instruction for Mathematics and Science."

Haven't you guys made up your minds on that yet? I know about all the roundtable talks and stuff, but seriously, what's taking you guys so long to decide what to do?

EPIC PHAIL of the Malaysian education system

The Star, Malaysia
Thursday June 4, 2009
Why 10 subjects is enough for SPM

KUALA LUMPUR: There are many positive reasons to limit the number of SPM subjects to 10, including the fact that it could overcome the shortage of teachers, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said statistics showed that almost 90% of students took 10 subjects anyway.

“It all comes down to how we want to manage our education system so that we can produce students who are capable and not only in exams,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Asked whether opposition to the idea would lead to the proposal being shelved, he said:

“There are many who agree and they come from the education system.”

Muhyiddin said by limiting the subjects, the students could focus on core subjects as well as participate in other activities that would open up their minds.

“Apart from this, it can help teachers. With the reduced number of subjects, their energy can be focused on core subjects and the shortage of manpower could be somewhat overcome.”

Muhyiddin said that students also pursued more subjects just to add a few more As to their score.

“There are 111 electives, and some of these are not taught in school but require tuition outside of school. This means only those who can afford the tuition will benefit,” he said.

Producing students who are capable, not only in exams is a dream. As long as you retain the current ailing and failing syllabus, you won't be getting anywhere near achieving that dream of yours.

And what the hell are core subjects anyway? Look at the stuff we get fed in Malay. Your literature has a long history of being good, yes I agree with that. But it doesn't encourage lateral thinking.

"Patutkah Hang Jebat menderhaka terhadap Sultan Melaka?"

When the day comes when we students can say "Patut, seratus peratus patut!" to that question, then only will I say there is an improvement in anything you suggest.

And when you look subjectively at Moral Ed, think. Just think. And I'll prove that you will fail, Muhyiddin. You will bloody well fail if we asked you to take the Moral Ed exam for SPM. Civics is another subject which has practically nil value. How in the world are you supposed to teach patriotism and civic duty when the newspaper is full of stories of corruption and lawlessness? Don't think that students nowadays are so into games and studies that they neglect to look at current affairs. How are you supposed to teach good values when there are so many out there who don't practise what they preach?

And what sort of "other activities" will help to open up their minds? I will not be shocked or surprised to know that 90% of your students have parents who invest in piano education for their children. I have yet to see adequate proof that playing music is good for the mind. Sure, I have close friends who play the piano and consistently get good grades in exams and such. But there are those who don't play any music instruments and still get better grades. And talking about open minds, what counts? Does participating in political rallies count as "open minds"? Does participating in F1 research count? Does being national champion for Under-18 golf tourneys count? Does emerging as the runners-up in SEA DotA championship count?

Gah. And to think that I came from this sort of education system. I'm only lucky that I read outside of the syllabus for enjoyment, or life would be a constant torment.

Science and Maths in English

http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/15922/84/

This page above suggests the miserable state of our education. We worry about our students, whether they can do Science and Maths in English, and worldwide, others are worrying about whether their students are performing well amongst their global peers. And the Chinese are just as bad as others, infighting over whether Chinese or English is better for Science and Maths. [I'm sorry, I'm Chinese too.]

I guess the single school system suggestion is overdue, although many parties are against it for their own reasons.

Malays: Against single school system.
Why: Not sure, but so many of them are shouting about Mukhriz. Most likely reason: They don't want to lose their "superiority" when the non-Bumis come in and take over everything their students had.

Chinese: Against single school system.
Why: Apparently single school system will erode the Chinese culture. Yeah, like it hasn't been damaged enough with the national school system.

Indians: Not sure.
Why: Cos they haven't been talking loudly enough to be heard.

Ok then. One of the first reasons why the national schools are not widely liked is because of the policies in place. Some of us fear that the national schools are slowly being Islamised. You have all sorts of complaints coming from non-Bumis in national schools.
But there is another reason why not many of us like the national schools. I once joined a maths competition back in primary school. My school team made it all the way to the finals of the district level. Now, the four schools which made it that far were 3 SJK(C) schools and 1 national school.
Ranking after finals:
#1. My school team [SJK(C)]
#2. Some other SJK(C)
#3. Another SJK(C)
#4. The only national school

Guess which school team made it to the next round.



Surprise of surprises, it was the national school team!

I don't remember the reason given, but it was something along the lines of some policy. [don't ask me what] But it shows the miserably poor state of our students from the national schools. How sad.

Bumi vs Non bumi

Taylor's open day this year is relatively boring. However, I guess the spectre of economic recession is not an obstacle for next year's students. It is actually quite enlightening to be a flyer distributor. You get to know what goes on in people's minds when they approach you or ignore you. So I can conclude this:

#1. Indian parents are most concerned about their children's future, hence they will always try to get their kids to go overseas to study.
#2. Chinese parents are also quite concerned about their children's future. But they will try to save money, so when you ask them whether they want to get their kids to study overseas, they will usually say no. After that they will cross the road and go into IDP.

Unfortunately I have to segregate the people by race. Otherwise how would I show this situation in M'sia? Everyone would think that Chinese and Indians studying overseas are from rich families, just like what Mahathir said on Al Jazeera. Rather, these people persevere like crazy. They work overtime. They work 3/4 day on weekends. They work on Sundays. Compare this to "normal" bumis. They work 9 to 5, but from 9 to 10 they have breakfast in the office, and at certain times throughout the day they go for prayers, and they have 4 to 5 for tea before going home. They have the luxury of working half-day on Saturdays. They can rest on Sundays. Why? All because the government takes care of them. More quota in the local universities. More scholarships to go overseas. [Some of them actually take very long to finish an UNDERgrad course.]
I'm not saying all bumis are lazy. Some are hardworking. But most aren't. When we complain about lazy civil servants, the image that comes to mind is usually the tudung-clad lady.

Oh well, such is my country. That's why most of us non-bumis go to private colleges. Then we go overseas for further studies. All because the opportunities locally are very limited. Bloody sad.

national schools vs. vernacular schools

Mukhriz suggests that we abolish vernacular schools. Most likely this means that he wants national schools to be the only schools available, besides private schools. Now, most of us don't actually trust those schools enough to send our children to such schools.
Commonly held notions of national schools:
#1. Malay schools
#2. Overemphasis on Islam, for example reciting Quranic verses.
#3. Little emphasis on Pupils' Own Languages, eg: Chinese, Tamil.
#4. Favouritism/bias towards Malays

So, if the general public believes this, then they should send their children to national schools to learn, so that the true story of national schools emerges. From my experience with my college classmates, the average national school student has more exposure to a multiracial society. Although I must note that national schools don't actually have a dazzling reputation for academic achievements.

Now today he comes out to say that Malay will be the main language of instruction in his ideal school system. Damn, he just lost his status in my eyes. Why doesn't anyone want to emulate the Singaporeans and use English as the language of instruction? Oh yeah, the inferiority complex comes out. Damn, should have thought of that earlier.

Ah, what the hell. Screw those who can't think straight to save a nation from suffering. Screw those who can't think right to think of a systematic way to help the nation's graduates. No wonder the education system here is going down.