RE-BUILDING MALAYSIAN EDUCATION

By Stephen Ng It is not very helpful when the Deputy Minister of Education, Teo Nie Ching allowed the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) to decide on whether computer classes can be conducted during school hours. This clearly shows that Teo is either unaware of the numerous issues with PIBG in schools, or she is aware, but willing to play along with the PIBG. If the latter is true, it is legacy and impression that she will leave behind which is inconsistent with Malaysia Baru. It is no wonder that even writer, Mariam Mokhtar says, after the 14th General Election, the " DAP plays the "Three Monkey" -- deaf, blind and mute. " Only a few people such as the DAP stalwart, Lim Kit Siang speak up against injustice, race based politics and attacks on religion. Repeatedly, I have urged the Ministry of Education to tighten the control over the PIBG, as the association has often been used as a rubber stamp for school principals. School principals love to have c

Get your facts right before talking about paid IT Literacy classes!  By Stephen Ng  Photo credit: Free Malaysia Today https://www.facebook.com/151049370447/posts/10155724607560448/ I would like to ask Teo Nie Ching what is the meaning  free education that the government is said to provide to primary school children. At a press conference recently, Jiazhong adviser Edward Neoh said that the Deputy Minister of Education had given the greenlight to schools to bring back the paid computer classes. According to Teo, the schools are allowed to conduct these classes during school hours provided the school Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has unanimously agreed to conduct it. It appears to me that Teo had said that the state education department (JPN) is empowered to approve on the paid classes during school hours. Parents would then have to pay for these classes that are conducted by external vendors. I want Teo to explain how schools and PIBGs can legally

By Stephen Ng In October last year, I wrote about the appeal to the Minister of Education, Dr Maszlee Malik to grant exemption for kids who are already participating in a church-based uniformed group. I see it fit to bring this up again, as a follow-up letter to Maszlee which  has gone unheeded. I wish to reiterate that, as parents, we agree and support the ministry’s 1Sukan, 1Murid policy.  However, how our children participate in one sports, one uniformed group and one club, is in the hands of parents, not the policymakers.  For example, I send my  children to a uniform group in my church every Sunday because I find it providing a holistic character and leadership development programme for my children. They, too, love the activities of their outpost. When my family were hospitalised because of dengue, the commanders visited my children. This really cheered them up.  For this reason, my children know that they would not trade it for anything else come