AUG 25 — BBC documentary series, Are Our Kids Tough Enough? explores the differences between British and Chinese education approaches.
Such an experimentation and exploration helps inspire educationists to think, and modify their education policies towards a more impeccable teaching system.
Looking at the proactive attitude with which other countries are adapting in shaping up their education, it is sad to see that over here we have been making rather sluggish progress all these decades.
Despite the fact that the government had originally planned to make a pass in SPM English compulsory along with piratical science examination, the examination syndicate last week announced to postpone these two measures.
Early this year, deputy education minister P. Kamalanathan claimed that the government would not postpone the compulsory English pass ruling, only to hit the wall and bounce back months later.
On the dramatic turnaround which even our deputy minister could not foresee, the authorities explained that it was meant to give teachers, students and other relevant bodies sufficient time to prepare themselves.
The question is: even with apparent voices opposing the hasty implementation of the compulsory English pass ruling, the government remained largely unperturbed, only to come to the sudden realization when the deadline drew very near that the relevant bodies indeed needed more time to get themselves adequately prepared.
Does that also mean the authorities would normally bypass careful evaluations and assessments before announcing a particular measure or policy, making their rushed decisions purely upon their own perception and will?
As a matter of fact, it is this type of imprudent attitude that fills our education sector with shortlived policies sacrificing the well-being of many an innocent guinea pig along the way, a notable instance being the aborted measure of teaching science and mathematics in English.
To the authorities, a policy is but an executive decision that can be annulled or reinstated any time they please. But to the countless of students involved, a minor misstep could have far reaching effects on their future!
While we can deliberately reverse a policy, there is no way we can turn back our past lives, and we do not have too many precious years of schooling to dispense with.
Education is definitely a big thing, not only to an individual but the entire nation as a whole. Through education an individual gains access to knowledge, wisdom and knowhow that will build his or her future. As for the nation, education ensures its competitiveness remains strong so that we can continue to enjoy prosperity. As such, it is imperative that the government treat education issues with a little more seriousness.
Education is not a game we can abruptly shut down and then ‘restart.” Before a policy is put into implementation, the authorities must give it thorough consideration and map out a detailed roadmap instead of maneuvering a sharp turning back when it is about to hit the wall.
The price for such turnaround is immeasurable!
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
