Ragging

The last few days, the newspapers have been covering a lot about ragging, especially due to the death of a Form 4 student in the Royal Military College due to alleged ragging by his seniors. I was very sad to learn about this case - a case of ragging going way too far, way too extreme.

Ragging is actually a form of initiation. I remember when I entered PPP-ITM to do my A-Levels. Boy, were we ragged by our seniors! Who can forget about "Tabik Spring" then. Everytime a senior walks by, regardless of what were we doing, we must drop everything and give a "Tabik Spring"! Then at nights, seniors will barge into our room and the next 30 minutes or so, turned the room into what they called " living hell". Singing whilst each person had to hold the table up, getting questioned on so many "things" private or otherwise. And all sorts of other things!

But it never got physical ie getting whacked or slapped or such. Never. Things were always conducted with a sporting mood and laughter. Of course, we were not laughing, the seniors / raggers did.

Even the 'lembik' ones took it in their stride though with more complaints and as what it used to be called " banyak songeh".

But at the end of the orientation, we became good friends with the seniors. The "Tabik Spring" we had to do at each and everytime we met the seniors, which looked more like a frozen dead chicken with a salute - the seniors lined up and gave us one at the end of the orientation in the spirit of fun.

When I was a senior, it was my turn on the juniors. I have to admit I did my fair share of ragging, but in the same spirit when I was ragged then. Never anything physical, never meaning any harm.

And things turned out well enough.

In all fairness, ragging done right, is actually good fun. And it gets us closer to the seniors and amongst our own colleagues.

One of most "memorable" times getting ragged - when I first joined the BLUES, Form 5 in VI . Now that's a different story. Good, hellish and a good learning experience. Victorians you generally know what I mean.

Surat kepada Utusan dan Berita Harian

Hari Guru

Guru di kenali juga sebagai Cikgu,Ustaz / Ustazah, Sifu, Vathiyar, Teacher.

Guru – pendidik, pembimbing, pengisi ilmu.

Guru – ibu dan bapa yang melindungi dan menjaga kita di sekolah.

Guru yang akan mencorakkan dan mewarnai kain kanvas yang putih dengan ilmu, budi dan bahasa.

Tidak akan kita sampai ke tahap kita kini, yang berjaya atau sedang dalam perjalanan untuk berjaya tanpa guru memberi ilmu, menyediakan landasan kukuh di bangku sekolah dan universiti.

Saya amat terhutang budi kepada guru-guru saya – baik di sekolah, tuisyen, ,mengaji mahupun semua yang telah memberi ilmu kepada saya. Budi yang tidak dapat ku balas, selain mendoakan bahawa supaya mereka senantiasa diberkati dan dilindungi. Ilmu yang akan kugunakan sepanjang hayatku.

Itulah betapa mulianya guru yang ikhlas dan telah meberiku ilmu kepadaku.

Maka saya membantah sekeras-kerasnya arahan Kementerian yang telah mengarahkan guru-guru untuk bergotong – royong mencuci tandas dan sebagainya di sekolah. Walaupun saya bukan seorang guru, namun saya berpendapat arahan ini amat salah malah tidak langsung mempunyai elemen yang menunjukkan penghargaan kepada guru-guru. Bagaimana guru-guru akan rasa dihargai atau ingin menyambut hari khas untuk mereka apabila mereka dikerah untuk membuat kerja gotong –royong di sekolah dan bukannya hari yang meraikan penat lelah mereka.

Pada masa sama, arahan mengerahkan murid-murid untuk bergotong royong pada Hari Guru juga adalah salah. Apa signifikannya secara langsung membershikan tandas, mengutip sampah dan sebagainya dengan sambutan Hari Guru?

Hari Guru sepatutnya disambut dengan meraikan guru-guru yang telah banyak berjasa di peringkat sekolah dan masyarakat. Hari Guru sepatutnya diraikan dengan ucapan setinggi terimakasih kepada guru-guru. Saya mengalu-alukan malah gembira bahawa kepimpinan tertinggi negara, PM, TPM dan seluruh cabinet telah mengambil masa menandatangani kad ucapan Hari Guru selepas mesyuarat Kabinet Rabu lepas. Ini menunjukkan bahawa pemimpin-pemimpin negara mengakui dan juga menghargai pengorbanan dan usaha guru – guru yang ikhlas yang merupakan barisan hadapan utama serta paling penting dalam membina modal insan.

Sepatutnya sambutan diadakan disetiap sekolah untuk menyambut hari guru dengan pelbagai cara – pertunjukan pentas oleh pelajar, majlis makan, kenduri, baca tahlil untuk yang telah meninggal dan sebagainya. PIBG juga seharusnya memainkan peranan penting untuk menggerakkan sambutan hari guru.

Saya berasa amat kecewa dengan pegawai yang telah memberi idea dan mengeluarkan arahan untuk guru-guru bergotong-royong membersihkan sekolah. Kita inginkan guru-guru bersama kerajaan. Adakah ini caranya?

Hari Guru telah hilang sinarnya dengan arahan surat pekeliling tersebut.

AHMAD IKMAL ISMAIL

NAIB KETUA UMNO JERAI

Thought For Today

PPSMI - adakah kita bertindak betul?

Dengan pemansuhan PPSMI, ke manakah anak-anak muda kita dalam isu:-

i. Pekerjaan. Rata-rata ramai majikan yang saya temui mengeluh mengenai penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris oleh pekerja-pekerja baru mereka. Ramai yang langsung tidak boleh berBahasa Inggeris yang menyebabkan mereka malu.

ii. Penguasaan ilmu baru dalam sains dan teknologi. Di dalam dunia kini, banyak penyelidikan yang sedang dijalankan. Saban hari, penemuan-penemuan baru di dalam pelbagai bidang di siarkan di dalam jurnal – jurnal antarabangsa yang ditulis di dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Bagaimana para “saintis” kita di Malaysia yang dilatih hanya di dalam Bahasa Malaysia akan faham secara terperinci dan sepenuhnya apa yang ditemui. Dan jikalau para “ saintis” kita tidak memahaminya kerana bahasa sains dan teknologi ini adalah dalam Bahasa Inggeris, bagaimana mereka boleh mengaplikasikan penemuan ini untuk kebaikan kita semua.

iii. Menjalankan perniagaan di peringkat antarabangsa. Betapa ruginya kita kerana usahawan-usahawan kita tidak pandai berBahasa Inggeris. Terpaksa menggunakan penterjemah.

iv. Mendalami sesuatu ilmu. Kita harus terima bahawa lingua franca dunia adalah Bahasa Inggeris. Jikalau anak-anak muda kita tidak dapat mengusai Bahasa Inggeris, bagaimana mereka ingin meningktkan lagi ilmu mereka?

v. Menggunakan komputer secara berkesan dan mendalam. Lebih dari 95% Bahasa Komputer atau Bahasa Teknikal adalah dalam Bahasa Inggeris . Pernah dulu ada individu telah mencadangkan kepadajawatankausa Penguasaan ilmu IT untuk menterjemah Bahasa computer kepada Bahasa Malaysia. Cadangan tak masuk akal.

Dengan pelaksanaan PPSMI, kita tidak akan:-

i. Melupakan asal-usul atau bangsa kita kerana kita belajar atau bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Saya mencabar sesiapa menamakan sesorang individu yang melupakan asal-usul atau bangsanya kerana dia belajar Bahasa Inggeris. Mungkin kerana dia tidak di dedahkan kepada asal-usulnya, atau ibu bapanya tidak mengajar beliau mengenai agamanya atau kelaurganya, tetapi tidak pernah kerana seseorang itu belajar dan bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris.

ii. Pada masa sama, tidak pernah satu bangsa hilang identiti bangsa kerana belajar atau bertutur dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Sekali lagi, saya mencabar sesiapa untuk membuktikan pada saya sebaliknya.


Jikalau kita meneruskan dengan dasar PPSMI, kita akan:-

i. Memahami dan berjaya di dalam pelaksanaan PPSMI kalau kita meneruskan polisi ini dengan beberapa pembetulan dan pengukuhan kepada pelaksanaan dasar ini. Antara yang boleh dicadangkan termasuk:-
- Mengkhususkan beberapa (4/5) buah Institut Latihan Guru untuk melatih dan mengajar guru pelatih di dalam Bahasa Inggeris serta untuk PPSMI.
- Melebihkan lagi masa pengajaran Bahasa Inggeris.
- Menjadikan Bahasa Inggeris Bahasa wajib lulus. Ini akan memastikan semua pihak termasuk Kementerian, sekolah dan murid lebih tekun untuk mnegajar dan belajar. Lebih banyak system sokongan juga patut disediakan untuk menjayakan pengwajiban ini.
- Memberi perhatian khusus dengan menghantar guru-guru pakar keluar Bandar, memberi peruntukan latihan lebih kepada luar Bandar dan sebagainya.

ii. Dapat pastikan anak-anak muda kita dapat pekerjaan yang bagus dan gaji yang lumayan. Pada masa sama, memantapkan lagi jentera utama penggerak ekonomi negara.

iii. Berjaya menjadi satu bangsa dan negara pencipta di dalam bidang sains dan teknologi, bukan sahaja satu negara yang mengambil ciptaan orang lain dan di aplikasikan / digunakan di negara kita.

iv. Dapat lapisan anak muda yang akan menjadi penggerak utama kepada kemajuan ekonomi negara yang pandai bukan sahaja di dalam Bahasa Inggeris tetapi Bahasa Sains dan Teknologi.

v. Dapat duduk sama rendah berdiri sama tinggi di persada dunia tanpa perlu menggunakan menggunakan penterjemah.

Satu contoh yang ketara dan baru adalah apabila tidak satupun Universiti kita berada di dalam 200 teratas di dunia ini mengikut kajian dari THES. Antara faktor utama untuk THES rujukan jurnal penyelidikan oleh penyelidik lain seluruh dunia. Tiada penyelidik lain yang ingin merujuk kepada penyelidikan-penyelidikan yang dibuat oleh saintis Malaysia kerana kebanyakannya adalah dalam Bahasa Malaysia. Saintis-saintis Malaysia juga tidak dapat berinteraksi dengan baik dengan saintis-saintis seluruh dunia kerana tidak pandai bertutur Bahasa Inggeris dengan fasih.

Penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris bukan akan merosakkan bangsa kita, malah akan meningkat lagi martabat anak bangsa kita.

Saya juga telah menulis beberapa artikel mengenai PPSMI termasuk cadangan pelaksanaan yang mengukuhkannya. Yang mana yang ingin tahu lebih, bolehlah merujuk kepada posting posting lama.

Sedih. Geram. Takut untuk masa depan anak-anak kita.

Anak Muda ke IPTA

Hujung minggu lepas saya telah menghadiri majlis kesyukuran dan pemberian saguhati kepada pelajar-pelajar lepaan STPM yang berjaya masuk ke IPTA-IPTA bagi tahun 2009 bagi zon Pekan Sg Limau.

Saya amat berbangga dan tumpang gembira kerana ramai anak-anak muda yang berjaya untuk masuk ke UM,UIA, UKM,UPSI , UUM, UiTM dan sebagainya. Ketua Cawangan dan AJK kawasan telah mengadakan bacaan Yasin dan doa untuk mendoakan kejayaan mereka semua.

InsyaAllah, berkat doa ibu bapa dan masyarakat termasuk niat ikhlas serta usaha gigih anak-anak muda ini akan berjaya di dalam pengajian mereka. Saay berharap mereka akan kembali ke kampung masing-masing dan membantu pula adik-adik serta jiran mereka untuk juga berjaya masuk ke Universiti seperti mereka.

Tahniah dan ucapan terimakasih tidak terhingga kepada ibu bapa pelajar-pelajar ini. Berkat doa dan sokongan yang mereka berikan kepada anak merekalah yang kini membuahkan hasil dengan anak-anak mereka masuk ke IPTA.

Saya doakan mereka berjaya.

Biasiswa Nasional

KENYATAAN AKHBAR
AHMAD IKMAL ISMAIL
NAIB KETUA UMNO BAHAGIAN JERAI

Saya ingin mengalu-alukan pengumuman YAB Dato’ Seri Perdana Menteri mengenai pengwujudan skin Biasiswa Nasional untuk pelajar-pelajar SPM yang cemerlang tanpa mengira agama ataupun bangsa. Ini adalah satu idea yang positif bukan sahaja untuk pelaksanaan konsep 1Malaysia, malah langkah yang membina untuk masyarakat pada jangka masa panjang dan seterusnya satu lagi langkah mengurangkan secara perlahan-lahan penggantungan kepada “tongkat emas” selama ini .

Pengumuman ini juga membuktikan bahawa Kerajaan serius dan berada di landasan yang betul kerana sanggup berbelanja lebih banyak dana untuk memberi ilmu dan pengetahuan kepada pelajar-pelajar. Dengan adanya Biasiswa Nasional dan skim biasiswa yang sediaada, lebih ramai lagi anak-anak muda yang cemerlang dapat meneruskan pelajaran mereka di universiti-universiti terkemuka dan terbaik di dunia. Dalam masa 5 tahun (2 tahun pra-universiti dan 3 tahun universiti sekurang-kurangnya) dari sekarang, negara akan mendapat sejumlah pelajar yang telah dilatih di universiti-universiti terbaik serta bersedia untuk berkhidmat di dalam perkhidmatan awam membangun negara.

Saya ingin mencadangkan kepada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) yang akan mengendalikan Biasiswa Nasional ini beberapa perkara,. Saya memohon kepada JPA , demi kepentingan semua pihak dan ketelusan, untuk mengumumkan ciri-ciri Biasiswa Nasional ini termasuk:-

i. Jumlah Biasiswa yang disediakan;
ii. Kelayakan pemohon;
iii. Adakah merit yang dicadangkan hanya berdasarkan akademik semata-mata atau
termasuk penglibatan di dalam ko-kurikulum;
iv. Kriteria semasa temuduga;
v. Kursus-kursus yang mendapat keutamaan untuk pemberian Biasiswa Nasional.

Saya yakin, dengan pengumuman oleh YAB Tan Sri Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Pelajaran bahawa calon-calon SPM hanya boleh mengambil 10 subjek sahaja, ramai pelajar akan berjaya mendapat 10 A1 di dalam peperiksaan ini. Ini bermakna pihak JPA harus mencari kualiti-kualiti lain sebagai faktor-faktor memutuskan kelayakan dan seterusnya pemberian Biasiswa Nasional ini. Saya ingin mencadangkan bahawa dasar merit yang ingin digunakan ini patut mengambil kira akademik, ko-kurikulum serta kepimpinan di dalam aktiviti-aktiviti di sekolah. Proses temuduga pula patut dijalankan sebagai satu kem 3 hari 2 malam supaya dapat menilai dengan lebih baik setiap calon berbanding dengan proses sekarang di mana calon hanya berdepan dengan penemuduga 5 atau 10 minit.

JPA juga disaran menghadkan pemohon biasiswa ini kepada hanya 9A 1B ke atas. Ini akan menghapuskan sama sekali dakwaan serta gosip pihak-pihak tertentu yang kononnya pelajar-pelajar yang tidak layak akademik juga diberikan biasiswa seperti yang kedengaran setiap tahun.

Saya berharap Biasiswa Nasional ini akan dilihat sebagai satu anugerah terunggul dan menjadi rebutan pelajar-pelajar lepasan SPM untuk meneruskan pelajaran ke peringkat lebih tinggi. Kita hanya inginkan pelajar terbaik untuk biasiswa ini tanpa mengira agama mahupun bangsa, maka proses pemilihan haruslah difikir dengan baik serta terperinci. Janganlah niat dan idea yang baik yang diumumkan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri bertukar menjadi satu perkara yang buruk dan dikritik kerana perkara – perkara yang boleh dielakkan.


AHMAD IKMAL ISMAIL
NAIB KETUA UMNO JERAI

10 - is it enough?

I totally agree with the YAB Deputy Prime Minister that to take so many subjects in SPM is ridiculous. It runs totally against the very grain and nature of education in its entirety. Education or educating a person is to give knowledge, and knowledge does not come from just reading books day in day out. Knowledge does not come from just academic subjects neither does knowledge just comes from mathematical or scientific equations and formulaes. We must also develop our young ones in terms of their thinking capabilites (which sadly until recently our education system was more developing their brain power to memorise rather than to think and rationalise), aptitude, interactive skills, motoring skills, soft skills and so on. I have to agree that our education system and our policy makers in the earlier years (before 2000) failed to develop this and concentrated mainly on academic work. Only during the previous miniter, YB Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein do I see focus being given more to creative thinking and softskills.

And we have seen the fallacy of our policy of only developing the academic side of the brain. Many employers are increasingly disappointed with candidates who although showing high marks in academic sunbects, are failing when it comes to social skills, presentation skills, management, soft skills and so on. The same thing goes for interviews during scholarships, although scoring a whole load of As, many fail when it comes to presenting oneself properly, talking and interacting with the interviewers. Many too do not have knowledge outside their small myopic world of academic subjects.

Only in recent years do we see a shift towards developing the other side of the brain. The introduction of Kemahiran Hidup programme in schools for example and the shift away from being too exam oriented as was suggested to replace UPSR exams are a step in the right direction. So is the recent policy where students applying for scholarships or places in universities must have co-curriculum activities as these will form 10% of their marks. For academic interestm there are 4 elements of co-curricular activities that the authorities give marks on - i) sports 2) societies and clubs 3) prefectorial or librarian and such posts 4) if you are selested for PLKN. The authorites will pick the best 2 of 4 to give marks.

To reduce the number of subjects allowed for SPM exam is spot on. A person who get all As for the 20 subjects he or she takes cannot be construed to be better than a person who takes 12 subjects and get all As. Just for information also, residential schools and colleges do not allow their students to take more than 10 subjects. So what does that mean to them when it comes to competing for scholarship and what nots. Are they not as celever as those who took more subjects? I am sure on a level playing ground where everyone in all schools are allowed to take the same number of subjects - well the results might be totally different.

Such a policy to limit the number of subjects would also allow the Ministry to focus and develop othef skills needed and not just academic studies.

I would also have to say there is a particular mindset prevalent in our students and parents these days. Score as many As in as many subjects possible in SPM. This will ensure their child to get a scholarship to study. In a very twisted way, this is why many parents are angry and upset when their child failed to obtain scholarships althoughthey had scored 12/13/15As. They fail to see the other important skills like softskills, presentation skills and so on.

But to limit the number of subjects allowed to 10 subjects starting this might not be so wise. First and foremost, the Ministry must allow students to take more elective subjects other than the 6 compulsory ones. This would allow excellent students to develop other skills to complement the academic side. And many can score 10As these days, closed eyes. What would differentiate them fron the other top scoring student is the quaity of As and also the elective subjects taken.

If you ask me, a maximum of 12 is the magical figure for all students, including those in residential schools. 6 compulsory and 6 electives. This would be more than enough to evaluate the quality of the student other than during the interview.

I would also like to urge the Ministry to postpone the implementation of this policy to at least next year. Many form 5 students now have registered for more than 10 subjects. Although it might be a small percentage compared to the overall of about 450,000 SPM students, to that one student who has been denied the right to do so midway to the exam, after spending money, time and effort on tuition for the extra subjects taken, this decision to be enforced this year seems very unfair to that student. I hope the Minister will have a re-think on this.

I am confident in the long run this policy will benefit the students.

Masalah keciciran pelajar

Kira-kira sebulan lepas, saya telah melawat satu keluarga di Alor Pudak (bahagian Jerai) kerana mendapat tahu ada seorang anak kecil berumur 8 tahun yang telah tidak bersekolah sejak awal tahun lagi. Saya dapati bahawa anak kecil ini ingin ke sekolah tetapi kerana masalah di mana ibubapanya bercerai dan ibunya telah berpindah balik ke Alor Pudak dari kawasan lain, ibunya tidak tahu bagaimana untuk memasukkan beliau ke sekolah di kawasan baru ini.

Alhamdulillah, dengan kerjasama PPD, kami telah mendapat kebenaran mendaftar anak kecil ini ke sebuah sekolah yang berhampiran. Hari ini anak kecil yang bernama Haikal ini akan meneruskan persekolahan beliau di dalam tahun 2 (sila lihat gambar).

Ini bukanlah kes pertama yang telah diselesaikan di dalam bahagian Jerai. Beberapa kes lain di luar kawasan Jerai juga telah dimaklumkan dan dapat saya bantu selesaikan dengan anak-anak kecil ini dapat pergi ke sekolah.

Adalah amat penting untuk anak-anak kecil ini pergi ke sekolah, mendapat ilmu dan bimbingan, sekurang-kurangnya sehingga tingkatan 5. Jikalau tidak apa akan jadi pada mereka, tanpa pengetahuan mahupun ilmu, merekalah yang akan menjadi mat rempit, minah bohsia, mencuri dan merempat di tanahair sendiri. Jangan kita bercerita yang mereka akan menjadi pemimpin atau korporat yang besar dan berjaya, saya bersyukur jikalau mereka sekurang-kurangna mempunyai ilmu untuk dapat berdikari dan mencari duit yang halal pada masa hadapan. Tentu, kalau semua dapat masuk Universiti dan berjaya, lebih elok.

Saya ingin meneruskan hasrat dan niat saya membantu pelajar-pelajar tercicir walaupun saya bukan lagi Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia. Tidak kisah di mana jua pelajar ini berada, tanpa mengira agama, bangsa mahupun fahaman politik, jikalau ada sesiapa yang ada maklumat mengenai masalah pelajar tercicir, saya mohon untuk maklumkan kepada saya.

Sama-sama kita cuba membantu anak-anak kecil ini demi kita membantu masa hadapan negara.

PPSMI Part II

KenyataanAkhbar
Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan
Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia


Saya ingin menyatakan kesedihan saya membaca laporan-laporan media mengenai ‘perarakan’ membantah PPSMI yang diadakan semalam di Kuala Lumpur. Kebenaran yang telah diberikan oleh pihak polis, yakni berkumpul di Masjid Negara sahaja, tidak diendahkan oleh mereka yang berhimpun, malah melanggar perjanjian awal dengan terus berarak beramai-ramai menghala ke Istana Negara.

Jelas sekali, kehadiran pemimpin-pemimpin pembangkang telah menukar corak perhimpunan ini yang pada asal niatnya adalah aman tanpa provokasi seperti yang dijanjikan oleh Y Bhg Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad dan Datuk A Samad Said, kepada satu perarakan dan demonstrasi yang jelas melanggar arahan pihak polis serta undang-undang negara. Jelas sekali pemimpin-pemimpin pembangkang telah mengambil kesempatan atas niat dan perjuangan pejuang-pejuang bahasa.

Saya ingin menyeru kepada pihak Kementerian Pelajaran dan Kerajaan supaya tidak tergesa-gesa bertindak atau tunduk kepada mana-mana pihak terutamanya gerakan-gerakan yang didalangi oleh pihak pembangkang. Pihak pembangkang ini hanya ingin mengambil kesempatan dan “mileage” politik atas perjuangan pejuang-pejuang bahasa yang kita sanjungi dengan mengheret mereka untuk berdemonstrasi dan melanggar undang-undang tanpa sebenarnya mengambil kira keselamatan, perpaduan ataupun kestabilan negara.

Tindakan pihak pembangkang yang telah mengeksploitasi Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad, Sasterawan Negara Datuk A Samad Said dan lain – lain telah mencemar imej dan kedudukan kehormat mereka di dalam masyarakat. Penggunaan Masjid Negara, seperti juga penggunaan Masjid Ubaidiah di Kuala Kangsar baru-baru ini oleh pihak pembangkang, juga telah menconteng arang kepada institusi masjid yang menjadi tiang teguh di dalam masyarakat Islam di negara ini.

Dimanakah YB Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, YB Nasharuddin Mat Isa serta pemimpin-pemimpin pembangkang yang lain apabila kerajaan Pulau Pinang yang di ketuai oleh DAP merendahkan martabat Bahasa Kebangsaan dalam isu tanda jalan? Mengapakah individu-individu ini tidak membangkang apabila rakan mereka sendiri, yakni DAP, memperkecilkan Bahasa Kebangsaan kita?

Rakyat kini inginkan kestabilan di dalam negara kita. Budaya keganasan, demonstrasi dan perarakan bersifat provokasi seperti yang kerap dibuat oleh pembangkang bukanlah budaya rakyat Malaysia. Jikalau budaya pembangkang ini dibenarkan berlarutan, maka keselamatan, ekonomi, sosio-ekonomi serta politik negara akan terus tidak stabil. Ini akan hanya membawa kepada kesan-kesan yang amat negatif untuk negara dan rakyat.

Saya merayu kepada semua pihak terlibat untuk rasional dan memikirkan kesan-kesan daripada insiden semalam. Jikalau 5 siri perbincangan meja bulat yang telah diadakan baru-baru ini tidak memadai, saya menggesa pihak-pihak yang tidak berpuashati terus berbincang dengan pihak Kementerian Pelajaran secara berhemah.

Berikanlah ruang untuk pihak Kerajaan menumpukan perhatian kepada isu-isu lain termasuk membantu rakyat menghadapi masalah ekonomi yang kita hadapi kini tanpa perlu memikirkan soal-soal demonstrasi atau keganasan jalanan.





Ahmad Ikmal Ismail
Pengerusi Biro Pendidikan Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO Malaysia
Naib Ketua UMNO Bahagian Jerai
8 Mac 2009

Food problem!

My colleague who is the Chairman for Education Bureau, Pemuda MCA had raised an issue during our recent Pemuda BN discussion. He informed the meeting that the management of College 12, Universiti Malaya had recently terminated a stall that sold Hainanese Chicken Rice and Economy Rice that mainly catered to the Chinese students. The students it seems, were unhappy of this termination as they had enjoyed good affordable Chinese food all this while and did not want that to be taken away. The stall operator meanwhile felt that he was terminated unfairly.

So today, as the Chairman of the Education Bureau Pemuda UMNO Malaysia and in the spirit of comradeship with MCA, I arranged a meeting with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs), Assoc. Prof Datuk Dr Azarae Hj Idris and his senior staff to get to the bottom of this issue. Of course, my colleagues Chong, Harrison and other MCA friends went with me.

I am happy to learn that the stall operator was not terminated as alleged. UM informed us that the contract for all stalls in College 12 had expired in May and there was a due process of re-tender for all the stalls. In the process, some bidders were eliminated due to low pricing and other technical issues. However, I am most happy to note that the UM management had stipulated in the tender conditions that one stall ( am told Gerai 1 as it is known) is specifically allocated for Chinese food. I am also told that the management of UM, 12th College management, the Chinese students’ representatives had a meeting yesterday with the successful bidder for the stall to discuss on the menu and pricing of the food. The successful bidder had during the meeting agreed to the terms, conditions and requests set out by the students and management.

All is well again at the University front! And I hope the food is good.....

Our team also requested that all universities in Malaysia should provide space for all varieties of food to be sold, be they Malay, Chinese, Indian and what nots – Halal of course! At the same time, in line with the Ministry’s vision to internationalise our universities and attract overseas students to Malaysia, Pemuda BN would also like to urge all universities to provide space for stalls to sell international food in the campuses.

I am sure apart from quality and affordable education, one of the main factors that foreign students consider would be how well they can adapt to the new surroundings. Having food to cater to their tastebuds would definitely go a long way to helping them make the decision. At the same time, our local students can also experience something new and different.

Let’s hope this happens. As for me, I always enjoy trying something new. Whenever I go to a new country, the two things that I must do are to taste the local food and check out the local customs / way of living.

VISION SCHOOL aka SEKOLAH WAWASAN

I have always thought that one of the best approaches for racial integration is to educate and expose the children from young. This means through the parent unit, school unit or the social network unit that would allow children to interact with one another. Just observe our children when they are playing with each other, and I am talking about the young ones aged 3 – 10 years old. They have no problems at all to play with any other child, be the child a boy or a girl, a Malay, a Chinese, an Indian or anything else. They are oblivious to the differences that we seem to be so sensitized to. To them a friend is a friend, more so a friend whom they can play with and there is no feeling of discomfort.

The same goes for sports. When the Malaysian National team is playing another national team, I observe that all Malaysians, without taking into consideration colour or creed, will support the national team wholeheartedly. And I bet we were all beaming with pride and felt a warm glow inside us when Datuk Lee Chong Wei kissed the National flag on his T-shirt when winning the Semi-Finals match in the Mens Singles Badminton competition during Beijing Olympics.

When the government announced the idea of building Sekolah Wawasan or Vision School back then, I was naturally very excited. I felt it would provide the best platform for young school children of all races and both sexes to interact without any prejudices or baggage. This particular tool (ie Vision School) would provide the perfect environment and opportunity for these students.

Let me talk a bit about the concept of Vision School. The Government will build on a large piece of land 3 schools – a National School, an SRJK (C) and an SRJK (T). Each school would have its own classrooms, set of teachers and of course its own administration. Each school will also be run independently in terms of syllabus and teaching. In other words, each school is administered independently of one another.

They would however share the following – a big field for co-curriculum activities, a big canteen to cater for all needs and I believe school assemblies. Apart from that, probably other co-curriculum activities like sports day and celebrations like teachers’ day, awards day and so on. Each administration would also be required to interact and meet to discuss and co-ordinate activities.

In fact, the teachers and administration of each school can share ideas, give each other advice and share their problems and solutions together.

Now, I do not see anything wrong with this set up. You still retain your identity as a SJK (C) or SJK (T). That is not lost at all. In fact, that is enshrined in our constitution. Article 12 in in the Constitution states:-

“ Perkara 12. Hak berkenaan dengan pendidikan.

(1) Tanpa menjejaskan keluasan Perkara 8, tidak boleh ada diskriminasi terhadap mana-mana warganegara semata-mata atas alasan agama, ras, keturunan atau tempat lahir—
(a) dalam pentadbiran mana-mana institusi pendidikan yang disenggarakan oleh suatu pihak berkuasa awam, dan, khususnya, kemasukan murid-murid atau pelajar-pelajar atau pembayaran fi; atau (b) dalam memberikan bantuan kewangan daripada wang sesuatu pihak berkuasa awam bagi penyenggaraan atau pendidikan murid-murid atau pelajar-pelajar di mana-mana institusi pendidikan (sama ada disenggarakan oleh suatu pihak berkuasa awam atau tidak dan sama ada di dalam atau di luar Persekutuan).

(2) Tiap-tiap kumpulan agama berhak menubuhkan dan menyenggarakan institusi-institusi bagi pendidikan kanak-kanak dalam agama kumpulan itu sendiri, dan tidak boleh ada diskriminasi semata-mata atas alasan agama dalam mana-mana undang-undang yang berhubungan dengan institusi-institusi itu atau dalam pentadbiran mana-mana undang-undang itu; tetapi adalah sah bagi Persekutuan atau sesuatu Negeri menubuhkan atau menyenggarakan atau membantu dalam menubuhkan atau menyenggarakan institusi-institusi Islam atau mengadakan atau membantu dalam mengadakan ajaran dalam agama Islam dan melakukan apa-apa perbelanjaan sebagaimana yang perlu bagi maksud itu.”

The right to such vernacular education is also part of the Social Contract by our forefathers. Just look around us, I do not know of any country in this world that has such an education system like we have. Not even Singapore. I am told Lee Kuan Yew closed down all other streams of schools in the 60s / 70s and only allowed national schools.

Thailand, Indonesia or even Phillipines do not have such a system also. In fact they are worse. Everyone, whether you are a Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim do not have a name that identifies you with your religion or race. Everyone has been assimilated and have only Thai name or Indonesian name.

Until now, our Barisan Nasional Government has always respected the Social Contract and even included it into the Constitution. The Government had never attempted in any way to close down vernacular schools as was done in Singapore. And I sincerely doubt the Barisan Nasional Government would ever do that. In fact, I know for a fact, the Government through Ministry of Education allocates per capita and some repair funding for Vernacular Schools.

On this note, I do not understand why certain groups such as Dong Jiao Zong are so against Sekolah Wawasan. I am told SJK (T) groups are supportive though. I have discussed with some friends before on it. One of the reasons given is that they fear this action is the initial stage of the assimilation process. Now, I have to rebut that.

As I said, the right to vernacular education is part of the Social Contract. It is also enshrined in the Constitution and more specifically addressed in the Education Act 1996. The BN Government has never attempted to close vernacular schools down and I doubt it ever will. In fact I believe variety or diversity is a strength that is unique to Malaysia if addressed properly. I for one would like to see vernacular schools be a part of the tools for integration and not be an unwilling agent for polarization.

Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran Sains Dan Matematik Dalam Bahasa Inggeris

I had attended a roundtable discussion on the future direction of PPSMI yesterday at the Putrajaya International Conference Centre. It was organised by the Ministry of Education to get feedback from political leaders, NGOs, special interest groups including teachers groups, parents, students and so on about the future of PPSMI. I was informed that yesterday’s roundtable discussion was the fourth and final roundtable talk, mainly attended by Barisan Nasional political leaders and State Education EXCO, Pakatan Rakyat representatives, NGOs, NUTP and Parents’ Groups.

Before I go further, a bit of background on PPSMI. PPSMI or the usage of English to teach Maths and Science was introduced in 2003. Since the announcement, there have been a whole load of debate on this issue – whether it is the right move or not, will our children suffer because of this policy, that it is a step back for all other languages, because everything is in English, then Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and the cultures will suffer and so on. The list of negatives were endless. So were the positives – the lingua franca today is English, the scientific language of today is English, we will lose competitiveness in the world if our children are not proficient in English and the scientific language and so on.

In fact, whenever the topic PPSMI creeps into a discussion, seldom you will get everyone agreeing to a point. Same scenario yesterday. So many ideas and opinions surfaced yesterday. Let me list some of them for you:-

i. Totally scrap PPSMI and revert to pre-PPSMI years. It does not matter the amount of money already spent the last 6 years (RM5.2b for the equipment, teaching aids and teachers’ training and allowances) and that one generation of students have gone through it;

ii. Follow through as it is – don’t quit. Obviously it hurts and there will be a lot of resistance initially but things are improving.

iii. Continue with the dual language option.

iv. Discontinue PPSMI at primary level but proceed at secondary level.

v. Continue PPSMI with adjustments and strengthen implementation.

There was this one Interest Group – Parents Action Group for Education or ‘PAGE’ which stood resolutely that PPSMI should continue. In fact they came up with a list of factual arguments to support their ‘appeal’. They also told the audience yesterday, since they started work a month ago and reached out to other PIBGs and schools in the last two weeks, about 68 schools with a total of 56,000 students have signed up to support their cause.

I was impressed with their work and the response they got in a short span of time. Does this mean the parents, public and rakyat in general actually want PPSMI? And that those who are against it are certain groups who are scared that PPSMI will overwhelm them, or their culture, or whatever else they are afraid of? Are these groups resisting PPSMI because they do not want to learn to change?

I for one would like to give them more time and see what kind of response they get throughout the country. I hope they do not focus on urban schools only. They should also get the response from rural based and vernacular schools. As a politician, who else can we get feedback from if not the Rakyat!

Anyway, I want to give my two cents worth on this matter. PPSMI is actually a good policy. It would help our children to learn and understand the scientific language, and even to an extent conversational English. More than 90% of Mathematics or Science Journals / Research are in English. And obviously we need English to compete with the rest.

I want PPSMI to continue, albeit with some adjustments and strengthening the implementation. Yes, I was the culprit who introduced Option 5 to the Roundtable discussion.

This is my proposal.

Year 1 to Year 3 - PPSMI should be more fun based. Lessons should be
very light. Just to learn the terminologies of things and names of animals, hand, feet, eyes and so on. Teachers should also have lessons out of classroom to teach the environment. The approach should be creative – games, songs and what nots. And it should be interactive.

No exams at this level.

Year 4 – Year 6 - Students should be more exposed to the usage of
simple equations, simple formulas and simple problem solving. The approach should still be creative and interactive but no songs and games. More classroom style.

This is a transition period. Exams should be customised accordingly.

At Primary level, the Ministry of Education (MOE) should allow the usage of dual language for all schools.

Form 1 – Form 6 Full implementation of PPSMI, use English.

Apart from this, I would like to suggest the following:-

i. The MOE should also strengthen the English curriculum as a subject.

ii. The minimum qualification for the intake of new trainee teachers to teach under PPSMI scheme must be high. For example, at least a Credit 3 in SPM English. The same criteria must be observed for Science and Maths too. It is of utmost importance that the teachers have the subject matter fully in their grasp before they can teach.

iii. Five / Six of the Teachers’ Traning Institute (IPG or Academic Faculty in IPTAs) be focussed fully on the training of Trainee Teachers to teach PPSMI.

iv. Training and Retraining for teachers already in service should be more effective.

v. The MOE should also focus on schools identified to be weak such as in rural areas, urban poor areas and so on. More allocation and good teachers should be given to these schools.

I want to do something like an opinion poll here. Please leave comments, opinions, your thoughts and ideas on the post. I will gather all these comments (whether positive or negative) and forward them to YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin and MOE officers. Let’s get our voices heard by the decision makers.

So everyone, what do you have to say about PPSMI?

Help Kids Get Back In School Programme

Hi guys, Just for everyone's info, I've received a lot of enquiries on the "Help Kids Get Back In School" Programme and am busy replying/tending to each one. Some of you were selfless and offered your time and services to help make this programme a success. Hat's off to you guys.

I am happy to note we have managed to solve some of the problems and are currently working on a few more. I recently had a question posted with regard to Malaysian children who do not have birth certificates. These 'stateless' children have problems getting into the schooling system because of a lack of identification due to various reasons. However as we all agree no child should be denied their right to a proper education no matter what the circumstance.

As such I would like to share with the readers of my blog that I have discussed this matter with YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin’s (YB Minister’s) officers and the Ministry has come out with a solution that will allow the child to proceed with his/her education while their status/documentation are being sorted out.

I/you can help these children (Malaysian citizens) who do not have any legal birth documents/ certificates get into school by doing the following:-

i. To get an acknowledgement letter (surat perakuan / pengesahan) from the appointed Ketua Kampung /Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung Persekutuan to acknowledge the child is indeed a Malaysian citizen. Born and bred in the area.
ii. With the letter certifying the above, to approach either the District Education Officer and the State Education Officer to enroll the child into school.

This solution is relevant only to the Education Ministry. The same might not be applicable for applying to the National Registration Department. They might have their own procedures that need to be followed.

I am also volunteering to be the liaison person between these children, any NGOs with the Education offices. My Pemuda UMNO Education Bureau Committee members are more on standby to assist wherever possible. So come on everyone, lets keep the momentum going!!

"Back to School" programme

It has been several days since I wrote / posted anything. However, I would like to say, I am encouraged and happy by the response I am getting from the “ Back to School” programme I started recently. Many people and NGOs have responded, not only for this particular programme, but to explore other initiatives that we can take on to help our children in education.

I will respond to all and discuss what we can do to help build our nation together. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you. Keep it coming!