Third Education Report soon, alas after 40 years
November 21, 2011
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
www.malaysiakini.com
Third Education Report soon, alas after 40 years
by Nigel Aw
A long overdue revision of the country’s education system is in the works, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced today.
“After the Razak and Rahman Talib reports, there has not been a comprehensive study made on what we have done (for the education system).
“It has been more than 40 years. I feel that it has been too long,” Muyhiddin said at the launch of his book, Sudut Pandang Muhyiddin Yassin, in Putrajaya today.
In light of this, the Deputy Prime Minister added, a panel to study the education system had been formed, with some of the results already presented to him. The full report is expected before the end of next year.
“After this, it will be the stage for local and international experts to look at what can be improved. In the process, there will be the engagement. I will ask all stakeholders to come forward,” Muhyiddin added.
Previous reports fulfilled
He also shot down suggestions that previous reports, particularly in the area of Bahasa Malaysia, have not been fulfilled and that it was thus unwise to move forward with a new one.
“I believe a large part of (the Razak and Rahman Talib reports) have been implemented. A lot of time has passed since them, particularly in the aspect of science and technology, other than the English and Malay languages.”
The Malay language, he added, had already been implemented up to the university level prior to the implementation of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) programme.
“(What is important) now is to see whether the content of our curriculum is at the same level with other countries.”
Sudut Pandang details Muhyiddin’s views on several hot button education policies, including the Interlok novel and the compulsory passing of History in the SPM examination.
We should look at our needs continuously. It is ridiculous not to have info ready annually. Why waited for 40 years? The KSU of the Education Ministry must be able to take charge of this matter.We have politicians meddling in our school systems and we have incompetent civil service who deserves to be bullied by the politicians .
No wonder we see the mess today. Politicians come and go, but the Government officers stay and follow through. Don't take any instructions written on a piece of paper in pencil. Minute your meetings with the politicians properly so that you won't be blamed if thrill "experiment" failed.
Democrat - November 21, 2011 at 11:08 pm
not only in this area no one is told anything in all areas. heard the saying fed BS like mushrooms and told nothing.
Kathy - November 22, 2011 at 2:23 pm
When it comes to education what we learn in school and university seldom comes to use in our daily working life. The focus is on reading , writing, and maths. There are three ways to improve you language skills. Read, read and re read. Then you must retain whatever you have read and finally you must reproduce and apply whatever you have read.
There is no time for experiment. Leaders must have the wisdom to do at the beginning what the not so claver leaders do at the end. And finally, language is only a tool and like all tools we must have the wisdom to select the right tool for our all people and not for only our loved ones. And please do not use your patriotic skills to try and turn language into an ideology.
Anonymous - November 22, 2011 at 4:42 pm