The Children's Government Policies Wish List: Education, Environment and Politics.

On the 18^th May 2018 The Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed named his cabinet ministers. Initially, Tun Dr Mahathir announced that he was going to hold the port-folio of the Minister of Education (MOE) however, perhaps after several discussions, and a lot of ‘noises’ from certain people, the final candidate was Dr Maszlee Malik. So who is #DrMaszleeMalik?

http://www.ideas.org.my/dr-maszlee-malik/

From this website article, he seems to have a good credential. However, my personal concern is the fact that he comes from an Islamic background. Will he be able to cater for the multi-racial, multi-religion society. At this crucial point where our society is looking for unity we need to provide an education that is fit for all. Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-Islam and no disrespect to Dr Maszlee, I don't know him. 

My point is our current education system is largely fragmented with the last 10 years or more, we have seen a rise in the numbers of private international schools, private Islamic schools, National-type Chinese and Indian schools as well as the National schools. This has indirectly segregated our children and deprived them of the multi-racial environment that most of us (in the 80s and 90s) experienced and enjoyed.  

A week prior to the elections, we did an exercise with the kids and asked them if they were to form the next government what policies would they like to change or introduced. Their main agenda were EDUCATION and ENVIRONMENT with some general political issues. If 18-11 year olds can come up with this. I am sure our strong cabinet will do better.

Here are their wish list:

GOVERNMENT AND RULING

1.    To limit the Prime Ministers’ rule to two terms only (Maximum of 10 years)

2.    To introduce Ministers salary based on performance –

My advice to them was it is probably a bit difficult to implement this and we do not want Ministers to do their jobs based on popularity either.

3.    To improve the distribution of zakat (Muslims) and charity (everyone) to those who need it.  

I added: To make it easier for this to happen and it would mean the Zakat & Charity office needs to actively look for people who should receive help. 

4.    Free speech – the kids would like free press and free speech. 

I added: this must be coupled with better education system to make sure children and adult alike can communicate facts and able to discern truth from fake. Free speech must be coupled with responsibility.

5.    Stop flags – The kids felt that the flags during elections were a waste of money. (Don’t know what people think about this!)

6.    No divisive campaign – The kids do not want to hear each side slagging off the other but instead political parties should focus on their own manifesto and how they were going to bring the country forward. They wanted more truth and honest admission if certain mistakes were made and how it would be corrected.

EDUCATION

1.    No text books. The schools should have a clear syllabus and reference book for teachers. However, teachers should be free to teach the children using creative methods rather than having the kids to copy down what is in the text books.

My son says teachers should ask more questions and let kids speak and give ideas rather than to sit there and listen to the teacher all day long. He felt the method of teaching was boring.

Teachers will plan out their weekly objectives and daily teaching plan to ensure they cover the syllabus (as per usual) and to submit reports (as per usual) 

2.    The practice of ‘copy’ from text books should be stopped with immediate effect because it is teaching our children to be parrots. 

I have seen the effects it has on our undergraduate students with the problems of plagiarism.

3.    No vernacular schools. The kids would like to have all the different races in their schools.

Do not have to shut down vernacular schools but need to open up for all races and to convert all schools to National school. 

Extra cultural classes or religious education can be conducted after National school time, the same as the Muslim children who currently go to National school (am or pm) and then go for extra religious school (am or pm). This extra school is optional. 

Private religious schools (any religion) and private international schools will need to meet the standards of the National curriculum. 

4.    Develop a national curriculum that can incorporate all race and cultures.

I added: revisit the Razak Report

5.    Start formal education at an earlier age of 6 years old but for the first two years will be assessment only but no formal exams. Formal examinations will start at 8 years old.

6.    My idea: The first two years of school (aged 6 until 7 years old) I would like to adopt Tun Dr Mahathir’s idea of 3M (membace, menulis, mengira – read, write, count) but I would like to adapt to 6M (which will also include melukis, menari dan muzik). The reason is at this age, children should be allowed to express their artistic nature. Drawing is what children like to do anyway but they can be taught with proper technique and improve in creativity, dancing will improve their gross motor skills and coordination as well as introducing them to the Malay, Indian and Chinese as well as other cultures and music, as we know classical music helps to improve intelligence.

7.    Hubby’s and sons idea: Sports and physical activity should be incorporated in all schools (no text books) children from the age of 8 years old should be taught on the proper technique of the games e.g. ball control etc. To employ those with sports science degree or diploma to teach ‘pendidikan jasmani’. As Lim Teong Kim explained that the grass roots is important if we want to build a good national football team

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3v68vg0qzo

8.    ICT should also be part of the daily educational method of teaching rather than a separate subject. ICT can be used to teach languages or maths in dedicated classes.

9.    Moral and civic-minded behaviour should be incorporated in the classroom and every activity e.g. making sure the children throw rubbish or sharpen pencils in the bin; looking after cleanliness of the school rather than a separate subject. It should be incorporated in the everyday behaviour e.g. making sure plates/cutleries are put in the proper basin after eating at the school canteen.

10.  My daughter also suggested to add personal finance training and touch typing in schools (as she found that useful – I taught her both)

11.  At 16 years old, they should be able to choose the subjects they would want to study based on interest rather than intellect. Our nation has gone far ahead from those times when smart students study science subjects and ‘not so smart’ students study arts subjects. We know now that the job market is competitive and even doctors, lawyers and engineers sometimes can be jobless after they qualify. Therefore, we should stop this discrimination and allow our children to excel in whatever subject of their interest whether it is arts, science or technical. 

12. I am not sure about technical schools, but they need to leave school with proper technical pra-diploma certificate that they can use to further their studies (in diploma and degree)

ENVIRONMENTAL

1.    The kids are all in agreement that all historical lands and buildings are to be protected and restored to be re-used for their intended purpose e.g. Lapangan Terbang Sungai Besi or  preserved as historical site e.g. Pudu Jail. This is our national heritage.

I added: Proper laws to make sure that NO Minister or anyone in power will be able to change its title or sell to the highest bidder for any amount of profit. We must protect these sites from those who have absolutely NO understanding of culture and heritage and are only interested in their own personal wealth.

2.    Sabah and Sarawak environment must be protected and all development project must not affect the ecosystem of the land.

I added: To find other methods for development e.g. instead of investing on big highway projects that can jeopardize the environment, to use the funds to improve river transportation with better high speed boats and ferries, introduce flying doctors (like in Australia). We must change the mind-set that development = destruction of rain forests; and to become more creative in using technology to improve lives.

3.    Stop building more shopping malls all over the place. There are too many malls already. Instead invest in recreational parks, covered pedestrian walks, libraries, water features.

4.    For new buildings, invest on renewable energy e.g. solar energy, wind energy etc.

5.    Improve public transport and covered pedestrian walkways (like in Sunway) and have areas for pedestrian walks only (no vehicles allowed) in KL and other busy towns.

HEALTH

To educate the public on mental health and no more stigmatization. Improve counselling services especially in schools and universities.