Failure to address the real issues is costly

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Photo credit: Malaysiakini 


By Stephen Ng


Education is preparing the younger generation of Malaysians for tomorrow. Therefore, it deserves more attention and focus.

Any mistakes made can be very costly. For example, a few generations of Malaysians have lost out in terms of the ability to read, write and speak English, no thanks to the policy based on mindsets typical of hypocrites in the likes of Rais Yatim.

When issues cropped up at school level and they are not nipped at the bud, parents' confidence in the education system is eroded as a result. The PIBG constitution, for example, needs to be further tightened to curb abuses and misappropriation of funds.

I have highlighted a number of issues relating to the teaching profession. The Ministry of Education is also fully aware of the issues that cropped up. For example, case of a pregnant teacher being shouted at by the school principal, what actions has the ministry taken against the principal?

Then, there is the dress code issue at the Selangor Education Department. And just yesterday, Malaysiakini highlighted the issue of a 55-year-old principal who had allegedly sodomised two of his school students.

Plagiarism is also an important issue to be addressed by the minister. Passing marks for all examinations must not be compromised for the sake of passing any particular group of students.

There have been a number of bully cases as well reported in the news. However, issues of this nature have not been dealt with adequately by the ministry. It is these issues that affect the children. Parents judge the minister's performance based on how he handles these cases.

Schools are supposed to be the place for the children to learn new things in life. However, when schools are no longer safe, who is to blame especially when such issues as sodomy are not resolved or appropriate actions undertaken?

Bringing reforms to the school system is not only about introducing new ideas, such as black shoes or swimming lessons as an extra curricular activity for the kids.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik needs to realise that 50 percent of the reforms would have been achieved if he is able to address the issues on the ground and ensure that ministry directives are being followed through.

Maszlee should understand that as parents, we are not interested in having our kids learn swimming in school. We would rather send them to be coached by professionals under our watchful eyes. 

I strongly urge the minister to pay more attention to the issues on the ground or the door is left open for him to exit.

He might be better off to focus his attention of becoming the president of Islamic International University of Malaysia (IIUM) and not try to spread himself too thin at the expense of the younger generation of Malaysians.

END.





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