tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post8533757046859226723..comments2024-03-21T20:10:28.943+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: National Education Blueprint - Hiccups Already?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-77224725726655708712007-02-23T00:25:00.000+08:002007-02-23T00:25:00.000+08:00I'm not too sure about the current status of Manda...I'm not too sure about the current status of Mandarin and Tamil Language offering at National schools, but based on my conversation with some friends studying at Teachers' training colleges, there are currently two types of chinese language classes at the teachers' training colleges. One batch would eventually go to SJK(C), whereas the other batch would go to National schools. <BR/><BR/>This batch of students who are studying Chinese for National Schools at teachers' training colleges would be out by end of this year and ready to teach starting Jan 2008. <BR/><BR/>That's what I know. I am not sure how serious the problem of shortage of Chinese Language teachers at various National Schools in the country and what MOE is doing.Chen Chowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00936368584754749865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-86541808801240294982007-02-22T12:38:00.000+08:002007-02-22T12:38:00.000+08:00My wife works part-time and her accountant boss is...My wife works part-time and her accountant boss is a Dutch lady. The Dutch lady tells my wife that, in the Netherlands, it is usual for students to be trilingual in Dutch, English, and one other European language. We all know how well the Netherlands are doing as a country, dykes and all, and never has the hangup that other languages has to be excluded in their education. When will Malaysia ever start copying from the sensibles?<BR/><BR/>Again, today, I see in the Star papers praises from Kenya. Towards the end of the Mahathir Period, we had started to seek false comfort and praise from African nations, because the non-African countries (including Thailand and, perhaps soon, Vietnam) has overrun us, economics-wise. If we continue to measure ourselves with the likes of Kenya, even God will not want to help us. It looks like we are diving headlong into the abyss of total denial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-36157780111910000192007-02-22T08:53:00.000+08:002007-02-22T08:53:00.000+08:00When on earth this establishment ever manage to de...When on earth this establishment ever manage to deliver RESULTS, with consistent track records?<BR/>Crooked bridge, NEP, safety, public transport, arm deals, middle ring road, tolls etc., you name it. <BR/>I never pin my hope on it, one has to design your own destination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-27095598037981412802007-02-22T08:08:00.000+08:002007-02-22T08:08:00.000+08:00I believe the point here IS that mother tongue obj...I believe the point here IS that mother tongue objective is secondary and small one and if that cannot be achieved, what hope is there for the national blueprint?<BR/><BR/>From the start when it was announced, the seriousness of the mother tongue issue sounded like more an excuse than real. It lead me to look at the language of the blueprint and if you comb through it, the measurable targets are very general with a million way to give excuses.<BR/><BR/>The problem of implementation is structural that has at its root the NEP. Its the same issue with as protectionism in industry.<BR/><BR/>Its why the only way to really change it is meritocracy starting with the minister himself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-81504947446251416332007-02-22T06:48:00.000+08:002007-02-22T06:48:00.000+08:00I've said it before and I'll say oit again: it's n...I've said it before and I'll say oit again: it's not about whether the mother tongues are offered in national schools, it's whether the schools can convince parents that <BR/><BR/>1) the education they can provide is on par or better than the vernacular schools', measured by indicators like staff dedication, overall academic performance and a varied extracurricular programme<BR/><BR/>2) equally or more importantly, the degree of acceptance of minorities by the school leadership. As long as one group is made to feel unwelcome/inferior (bullied might be a good term), don't count on an influx of minority children any time soon.<BR/><BR/>Yes, it's not about the mother tongue lessons, great though it would be to have them. Lots of people have English as a first language now anyway. Lots of people from my generation enjoyed our schooling in national schools, appreciate the chance to interact with different types of children, and would never send their children to vernacular schools, but we are increasingly concerned as to what is happening in the national schools to have second thoughts. It's a good thing I don't have children yet! (It may have to be an international school if I ever have any...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com