When we talk about the Malaysian Curriculum for schools being too exam-oriented, what does it mean? Today, students even have to sit for a written examination paper for Art. Why can’t the students be graded only on their artistic skills and creativity?
Does every subject taught in school have to be assessed at National level? I was shocked when I heard that Moral Education has been an examination subject for a few years now.
Good moral values, like religion, are something that should be caught, not taught. Can we say that a Buddhist or a Christian who gets a distinction for Pengetahuan Agama Islam will end up being a Muslim? Also, why doesn’t a good Muslim score an A for Pengetahuan Agama Islam?
In the same vein, it is a waste of time making Pendidikan Moral an examination subject! Do the authorities think that it is the only way to motivate students to be interested in the subject? Or is it their way of ensuring that teachers in charge of this subject do not slacken in their duties by giving students a free period every time there is a Pendidikan Moral lesson?
When the authorities decide that certain subjects will be assessed at school level instead, it is merely a cosmetic makeover of another educational innovation. In the long run, there is more paperwork for the teacher which means teachers spending less time on the real teaching-learning process!
Introspection
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Going Private
The Malaysian public service seems to be teeming with civil servants. A huge chunk of its financial reserves goes into the payment of salaries. Those who have retired will be getting their pensions until their dying day. And yet, when certain projects need to be carried out, we do not see pro-action from the government servants.
Projects are often sourced out. Two examples are: the collection of rubbish in most areas in Ipoh has been privatized and the Galeri Kartunist Lat will be run by a non-governmental organization (STAR, 29 January 2011).
Why can’t the existing government workforce handle these jobs? Why can’t they provide us with public transport at a minimal cost? After all, we are paying our taxes. Why can’t the police provide us with proper security so that we can leave our homes unlocked and walk in the streets at any time? Why can’t the local TV stations provide us with a variety of programmes in all languages so that we do not need to subscribe to a private TV station?
Projects are often sourced out. Two examples are: the collection of rubbish in most areas in Ipoh has been privatized and the Galeri Kartunist Lat will be run by a non-governmental organization (STAR, 29 January 2011).
Why can’t the existing government workforce handle these jobs? Why can’t they provide us with public transport at a minimal cost? After all, we are paying our taxes. Why can’t the police provide us with proper security so that we can leave our homes unlocked and walk in the streets at any time? Why can’t the local TV stations provide us with a variety of programmes in all languages so that we do not need to subscribe to a private TV station?
Illegal Racing
Every weekend, in the wee hours of the morning, the horrendous sounds of motorcycle engines whirring, thumping, roaring and growling can be heard in my neighbourhood. Didn’t the mothers of these motorcyclists teach them that when people are asleep they should not make a sound?
These uncaring and unscrupulous maniacs roam the streets in a posse making a deafening noise that reeks of malice for all and sundry. It takes the sound of just one motorbike to awaken the whole neighbourhood. So can you imagine the ruckus when there are at least 20 hooligans prancing up and down the streets on their modified machines?
And where are the law enforcers when the night’s peace is broken by the screeching and wailing of the motorbikes? An hour or so later, one can hear the wailing of the police siren. Is it merely to frighten off the ‘mat rempits’? We read in the papers that machines are seized and summonses are issued. Are these the only ways to curb illegal racing. They do not seem to work because all too soon, these illegal racers will be back on the streets.
Why aren’t the ‘mat rempits’ apprehended? When caught, the illegal racers should be forced to do some form of community service which should instil in them a more caring attitude. They could be made to clean a park, take care of the elderly for a period of time or even visit some accident victims. It will be a very humbling experience for them.
In a nutshell, the ‘mat rempits’ should be stopped. They should be taught how to be considerate of others, to get down from their machines and think about what they can do to help the people rather than annoy them.
Published in the STAR (3 March 2011) Letters to the Editor column under the title 'There's no end to Mat Rempit nuisance'.
These uncaring and unscrupulous maniacs roam the streets in a posse making a deafening noise that reeks of malice for all and sundry. It takes the sound of just one motorbike to awaken the whole neighbourhood. So can you imagine the ruckus when there are at least 20 hooligans prancing up and down the streets on their modified machines?
And where are the law enforcers when the night’s peace is broken by the screeching and wailing of the motorbikes? An hour or so later, one can hear the wailing of the police siren. Is it merely to frighten off the ‘mat rempits’? We read in the papers that machines are seized and summonses are issued. Are these the only ways to curb illegal racing. They do not seem to work because all too soon, these illegal racers will be back on the streets.
Why aren’t the ‘mat rempits’ apprehended? When caught, the illegal racers should be forced to do some form of community service which should instil in them a more caring attitude. They could be made to clean a park, take care of the elderly for a period of time or even visit some accident victims. It will be a very humbling experience for them.
In a nutshell, the ‘mat rempits’ should be stopped. They should be taught how to be considerate of others, to get down from their machines and think about what they can do to help the people rather than annoy them.
Published in the STAR (3 March 2011) Letters to the Editor column under the title 'There's no end to Mat Rempit nuisance'.
Past, Present and Future
Wouldn’t you like to look into your crystal ball and see what the future held for you? It would be so much easier to plan for the day, for the week and for the month, if we knew how much time we had in this world. If we all had that ability, I wonder if we would be living our lives the way that we are doing now!
What would you change? How would you go about making this change? I was watching a talkshow on TV today where the hostess said that kids should record down what they visualize themselves as being in the future. In that way, every activity they do will be geared towards achieving their goals. Does it work in the same way for adults, I wonder?
In the same way, if you were given the opportunity to go back into the past and change something about your life’s events, would you grab that opportunity?
Personally, I am happy with the way that my life has unfolded. I will continue to do my best to live a worthwhile life and place my trust in the God who holds it in His hands. If my life and the world ends in 2012, as many have predicted, I am ready. I am glad that I have taken the unbeaten track.
If, however, I have to carry on living for the next hundred years, …….
What would you change? How would you go about making this change? I was watching a talkshow on TV today where the hostess said that kids should record down what they visualize themselves as being in the future. In that way, every activity they do will be geared towards achieving their goals. Does it work in the same way for adults, I wonder?
In the same way, if you were given the opportunity to go back into the past and change something about your life’s events, would you grab that opportunity?
Personally, I am happy with the way that my life has unfolded. I will continue to do my best to live a worthwhile life and place my trust in the God who holds it in His hands. If my life and the world ends in 2012, as many have predicted, I am ready. I am glad that I have taken the unbeaten track.
If, however, I have to carry on living for the next hundred years, …….
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