Thumbs Up to Maszlee for pushing Speakers' Corners in schools

By Stephen Ng

Credit to whom credit is due. 

It has come to my understanding that Education Minister, Maszlee Malik has initiated the setting up of Speakers' Corner in all public schools. 

This deserves our applause as the nation is in dire need of good public speakers and debaters who can make an impact on society. 

I was a member of the Literary Association of Methodist Boys' School (LAMBS), where we had public debates. I was one of the participants in an inter-school competition. Those were the days when we had opportunities to be involved in public speaking. 

When I went to university, part of the university programme was to do a project in the laboratory on our own, after which we had to give a presentation to our fellow students and the lecturers.

I used to impress my university lecturers as a good presenter. Although the subject was as boring as anyone could imagine of Chemistry, I always made it an attempt to entertain the audience. 

This carried on later in life, when I became the Laboratory Manager of Union Carbide which gave me the opportunity to present our latest R&D projects to fellow colleagues from other countries in the Asia-Pacific Region. 

I have also conducted seminars which went on for two consecutive days. This was a great opportunity for me to share my knowledge with the audience.

In a number of public speaking training seminars that I have attended, I was told that I had a gift of clarity in all my speeches. Somehow, people just came to me to say that they enjoyed my speeches. 

Great speakers are, however, not born. It takes many years to train a good public speaker. I know this myself, as I am giving free training sessions to a group of young primary school kids. 

Despite giving them tips on how to improve their speeches, it took time for them to develop their self-confidence. 

I am satisfied with their performance thus far, as some were very shy when they started the sessions a year ago; but now, they are able to at least deliver a reasonably good speech. 

My son is a good example. During the first session, I was disappointed with him. He kept hiding himself. He could not control his laughter on his first speech.

But, of late, he has shown interest even in the Toastmasters meetings. To my surprise, he even volunteered himself for the Table Talk, something which even adults dread.

While a number of schools have already set up their Speakers' Corner, there is still no news as to when my son's school will set it up.

This is why, after a circular is sent out, the Ministry of Education must follow up to see if the directive has been carried out. What's the use of directives being sent out if the school principals can choose whether to follow or not?

At the same time, I challenge the Toastmasters to set up its chapters in schools to guide the young kids on good public speaking skills.

This will bring our younger generation of Malaysians to reach new heights, and eventually, deliver a great speech on the international platform. 

Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad has set the example, and I believe there will be many more to come. 

END.