tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post5107710359076951571..comments2024-03-21T20:10:28.943+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Reviving Missionary SchoolsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-35256585453972981542007-06-17T15:10:00.000+08:002007-06-17T15:10:00.000+08:00Dear all, I agree with Bob K and also "extremely f...Dear all, <BR/><BR/>I agree with Bob K and also "extremely frustrated student", I may be biased, since I never went to a mission school. <BR/><BR/>I was a bit skeptical and disturbed with the article whereby leaders talking about the "good old days" of mission education.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that by implying the superiority of the 'good old days', we are downplaying the role of which our system today had contributed to our society.<BR/><BR/>Why revert to English medium when the vernacular education has already work well in indigenizing knowledge, reducing illiteracy and bridging the gap between the marginalised (materially, socially and geographically) and the upper middle class of the society?<BR/><BR/>Would a revival of the 'classical model' of Malaysian mission school create a new type of elitism, which is exclusive to school children who come from urban, educated, middle-upper class, english speaking families? Wouldn't elitism contradict the spirit of serving the poor and needy, held by these religious orders?<BR/><BR/>As a Christian I think I should not think of ourselves higher than others, nor should we create exclusivity. I think there is other comparable good national schools around in the country like MCKK, Tunku Kurshiah, SMDU, school for the blind, Orang Asli school, Sekolah Agama Rakyats, Chinese New Village schools, Vivekananda etc. that do equally good job in educating our rakyat in our different local contexts. Some of them may not be the best performing schools, but they certainly do the noble job of educating and imparting knowledge to the common people.<BR/><BR/>I may be wrong. My full response is at<BR/> http://extremeweight.blogspot.com/2007/06/critic-to-good-old-days-part-1.html <BR/><BR/>Peacekeropok lekorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02110042756784437734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-81987754451282634872007-05-29T23:27:00.000+08:002007-05-29T23:27:00.000+08:00The Jesuits run some of the better universities in...The Jesuits run some of the better universities in the United States and if there's one thing i know, they're not quick to wear their religion on their sleeves. The only Christianity that they know is excellence. I do wish they had Jesuit varsities here.Collin Michael Nunishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535307848362551657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-37151904456286063242007-05-21T12:00:00.000+08:002007-05-21T12:00:00.000+08:00I am a product of an Anglican missionary school (S...I am a product of an Anglican missionary school (St. Mary's in the heart of KL for 11 years), and then Form Six in St. John's Institution. Since most of my outside school friends were from missionary schools as well (Convent Bukit Nenas, Bukit Bintang Girls' School, Methodist Boys' School, Victoria Institution), I did not stop to think that we had such a great education (within and without the classroom) because we WERE in missionary schools. <BR/><BR/>There was always positive peer pressure to excel academically, of course. But the things I remember most about my schooling was the tremendous school spirit to do one's best in any area. We had such a rich extra-curricular roster: debates, school plays, sports, Good Neighbors' Club, library, music....the list goes on. <BR/><BR/>The teachers were by and large really dedicated and cared a lot for our well-being. They seemed to be proud to be part of the school.<BR/><BR/>I am now in the US and my older child is in public elementary school here. There is little school spirit nor the rich heritage of decades of excellence and effort produced by a school. Our school badge represented so much back then.<BR/><BR/>Good, good times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-83487031451515377812007-05-20T08:03:00.000+08:002007-05-20T08:03:00.000+08:00I went to Assunta after Sr. Enda had retired, but ...I went to Assunta after Sr. Enda had retired, but I thought it was amazing anyway. When I was there, we had 3 different headmistresses, some better than others. I think there is a board of governors who can suggest (or maybe even veto) a new head. <BR/><BR/>The thing I loved best about Assunta was the intense school spirit. The songs, the clubs, the military band, the cheerleaders, etc. Granted, it was not for everyone and some kids must have found the relentless chirpy Catholicism and Englishness of it all quite trying. But for me (being neither Muslim or Christian), it was opportunity, encouragement and libertarianism all rolled in one. Discipline was less important than creativity, passion and drive. I wish everyone could have had the chance I had.lil starhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09011353710533141689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-26590593371264316452007-05-09T14:53:00.000+08:002007-05-09T14:53:00.000+08:00As a former student of La Salle PJ, all i can say ...As a former student of La Salle PJ, all i can say is that I fully support the idea of the school going back to the La Salle Brothers control. Ever since the first Malay headmistress was appointed when I was in Form 3, we saw the rapid Islamisation of the way the school was being run, even when the majority of students were non-Malay. I still remember vividly the day when she marched into our classroom during Moral Studies and launched into a racist diatribe against the Chinese - and our moral teacher could only look on helplessly. After finishing Form 5, gangsterism got a firm footing in La Salle, with the notorious "Sup pat (18)" gang being quite dominant with Science-stream students and prefects among their recruits. Try asking anyone nowadays what they think of La Salle PJ, and most will say "gangster school". It is no longer the school where parents will claim to live in Section 5 just to get their kids in. It is no longer the school where La Sallians took pride being La Sallians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-66639494241321665202007-05-03T21:11:00.000+08:002007-05-03T21:11:00.000+08:00Yes, i fully supported the idea of reviving missio...Yes, i fully supported the idea of reviving missionary schools. But before that, planning is important. We don't want to give any opportunity to the government to work in the dark against it, as they usually did.<BR/><BR/>La Salle, Convent, ACS, etc, time to revive the spirit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-45491570687111536072007-05-03T17:31:00.000+08:002007-05-03T17:31:00.000+08:00student was right. the least they can do is to app...student was right. the least they can do is to appoint principals who are from the same denonmination to head a mission school for a particular denomination.<BR/><BR/>i was not from a mission school, but being a Christian, i am all for the reviving of the mission school. It is quite sad that the catholic mission schools have been left with the Muslim principals. i heard there is a Malaysian Catholic Education Council. could n't they do something about our La Sallian and Convent schools?Auggydaleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13991472528437889981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-90472286876096579012007-05-02T15:31:00.000+08:002007-05-02T15:31:00.000+08:00Reviving them? I don't think the government would ...Reviving them? I don't think the government would approve it. Refurbish probably. Instead of being passimistic about this, I would like to see the detail proposal to the government. You might not know whether these leaders really have a good proposal or not by judging from what is written by some journalist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-79192142379773074182007-05-01T18:31:00.000+08:002007-05-01T18:31:00.000+08:00I am a mission school end-product, back when there...I am a mission school end-product, back when there was still some residual elements of what made a mission school what it was. It was primarily at the tail end though .. a period that saw the relocation of the chapel, the introduction of the doa, etc.<BR/><BR/>I am naturally intrigued by this suggestion. The only thing that concerns me is why is there a need to revert back to the English medium? Why not retain the Malay language medium but excel in producing all-rounded wholistic students? There's too much cultural imperialism already :PBob Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745432823898592329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-66846034726643791062007-05-01T17:11:00.000+08:002007-05-01T17:11:00.000+08:00I totally agree with extremely frustrated student....I totally agree with extremely frustrated student. Having been a product of a 'missionary school', it's so true that missionary schools have lost it's glory days. The scenario is exactly the same I've experienced throughout my high school life. You have my empathy.<BR/><BR/>I must say that we should 'evangelise' one school at a time. Let the school have it's own administration and enrollment, as in total control of the school (like private school) oversee by CCM.<BR/><BR/>We then can a nation where hope comes alive. No hope for now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-44829601045477990242007-05-01T17:04:00.000+08:002007-05-01T17:04:00.000+08:00I must say that I'm totally supporting the revival...I must say that I'm totally supporting the revival of 'authentic' missionary schools.<BR/><BR/>Through my secondary school life, I've been to a 'missionary school' which was said to be 'one of the best in town.' I still remembered how happy I was when I received a confirmation letter of enrollment to that particular school.<BR/><BR/>Few years have passed...<BR/><BR/>Looking back at my naivity, I seem so foolish to be happy.<BR/>I'm still confused as to why my school still had the fame of great academics while having lived through the forms, I'm embarrased.<BR/><BR/>My school should have lost it's academic fame decades ago, My English teacher gave me the similar type of grammar work which I've been taught in Form 1(not to say it's bad) but it's more of what they feel like teaching on that day itself. There is no course planner, no usage of English textbooks.<BR/><BR/>No such thing as better English in missionary schools. Some students can hardly converse in English when they have been taught even from primary school.<BR/><BR/>Thats just English by the way.<BR/><BR/>I won't touch on other problems for today's sake. Just frustrated to think of my history.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-92179453325951982232007-05-01T16:37:00.000+08:002007-05-01T16:37:00.000+08:00Very beautiful indeed, Aston.Very beautiful indeed, Aston.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-21343489882832549712007-05-01T14:02:00.000+08:002007-05-01T14:02:00.000+08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-69333265434262777492007-05-01T06:48:00.000+08:002007-05-01T06:48:00.000+08:00Yes, Wood is right - the Jesuits are a separate Or...Yes, Wood is right - the Jesuits are a separate Order and as far as I know have not founded any schools in Malaysia. <BR/><BR/>The point about control can be debated - for years (even now) the MoE has resisted giving full assistance to mission schools based on the argument that the land and buildings do not belong to the Government, yet insist on full control. The Churches could, in theory, take back the land and buildings and hire their own staff. <BR/><BR/>As for the ethos - I am sorry, but a mission school cannot be a mission school unless there are some religious elements to its character. Obviously this shouldn't and must not go as far as proselytisation, but steps like restoring the symbols, statues, the occasional service would go a long way. Along with this should come values such as dedication, hard work etc. that were so prized in the mission schools of yesteryear. As most of the teachers these days haven't a clue what a mission school education is and are hardly exemplary in terms of professionalism, maybe the hiring of foreign missionaries could be considered. At the very least - the head should be a Christian of the same denomination as the sponsoring church. The willy-nilly destruction of school characters by lay heads (sadly all those guilty have been Muslims) cannot be allowed to continue.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps we can look to Singapore as an example - their mission schools seem to be doing OK and religion still plays some role in the life of the school, despite many of them having lay heads.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-35235601006290394952007-05-01T04:32:00.000+08:002007-05-01T04:32:00.000+08:00YAY!!! I get to correct Kian Ming....Many of these...YAY!!! I get to correct Kian Ming....<BR/><BR/>Many of these schools, at least the catholic ones are not founded by the Jesuits, but the Brothers of the Christian schools.....commonly known as the La Salle Brothers, their names end with FSC. Others include the Marist brothers, the IJ sisters, the Cannosian sisters, not forgetting other anglican and methodist missionaries too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com