The significance of 中英學校家教協會改選

http://ocdn.founder.net.my/news.php?newsid=39480

I refer to the news on 中英學校改選餘波盪漾 as published in Overseas Chinese Daily News today, 23-June-2009.

The result of the election speaks clearly that parents want change.

Wong Li Kah stood up for them, but would the ministry get the message and acts correctly and accordingly?

They had not been happy with the way the school was run. They don't agree with the policy and behaviour of the school administration, especially to the highhandedness of the education department. In fact, they have been worn out with all their time and money by blindly following what they're told to do, without questions asked. They felt 'blackmailed' by the school and the teachers; and the ministry mysteriously 'allows' it over the years.

Parents are the 'silence' sufferers of the immense 'power' given to the school authority, notably the Principal. The parents and their school children are being 'victimised' by going through all kinds of unnecessary works and subjects. The Chinese schools are especially being taken advantage by the fact that it's a tradition to respect and comply with the teachings and 'guidance' of the school authority, especially the Principal. The teachers are treated like 'adopted parents' and 'family elders', so to speak. This is an immense trust onto these highly respectable individual that integrity is the key to their continue supports from the community.

The exposure on the 'mistrusts' by the school by Wong Li Kah is like attacking the hornet nest, and definitely damaging to the good images built up over the centuries. It's a threat to them.

The problem with the education sector is that some of them are politicians from the backbone of the government. These teachers or education officials are allowed to take part actively in politic. They are mostly members of the powerful governing party. This special relationship has made them very invincible groups in the political party as well as socially. It's not right for them to be in politic given to the fact they are civil servants and must be impartial; but unfortunately it's a truth we have reluctantly 'accepted'.

It's natural that the educational circle covers each other should there any challenges to their fellow members, and especially if it's significant of what Wong Li Kah is doing. Wong is the second one voicing out the unhealthy practices in the education industries, and is quite alone to carry on the fight against the authority that happens to be highly regarded by the society. It'll be heart broken for the public and the authority to admit the problems as they, including the parents, think that the high integrity image of the educationists must be preserved at all costs, even (probably) to the extent of twisting the truth(?). This is bad news for the country if we were to move forward to a modern and advance country by 2020, or the so-called 1Malaysia dream.

Parents must learn from the Wong Li kah case as he questions the so-called traditional approaches and practices which were wrongs. The parents are expected to pay for expenses but the excessive profit must be used for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and not to someone else pocket. Parents are people, and people are the master of the nation. Civil servants must listen to the people via PTA. It's not the case presently with parents being pushed around to the civil servant's fancies and wishes.

The authority of the PTA and its power and role in the school also needs to be redefined and revamped by the Minister of Education so that it can contribute significantly and meaningfully in the school administration. Democracy must be seen practiced in the school, and what better place to start with is the PTA.

Will the win by Wong Li Kah wake up the conservative and authoritative styles of the administration in the education ministry? Will the authority honoured the win? On thing for sure, Wong Li kah is not alone. He represents the voices of these unfortunate parents who have been in silence for years. The 'discontent' of the parent can be heard everywhere. Will SKC Anglo Chinese(中英學校) become the seed of change? The case of Anglo Chinese is not an isolated case, it happens in most of the schools.

Now, it's up to the ministers, politicians, and the ministry to act. I sincerely hope that they understand the message and tackle the problems immediately. The government has only 2 years to rectify the situation before it's too late.

1Education for 1Malaysian

1Education for 1Malaysia is still far away from us.

The above impression can be derived from the recent response of DPM on the status of Chinese education in the country. The Chinese Educationist emphasized on the matter of government recognizing certificate issued by the Chinese independent Middle school as well as equal financial assistance to the Chinese schools.

DPM cited reason for not recognizing mainly because the Chinese Independent School does not comply with the government’s education policy.

The fact is that the Chinese community has always not been in full agreement with the government’s education policy all along despite represented by mainly MCA and Gerakan in the so-called coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN). It's the inability of MCA or Gerakan or the lot over a number of the rights that costed them dearly in the last general election.

The common complaint is that the government should have done a lot more, and be more sincere, sympathetic towards the struggle of Chinese education; on the contrary, the Chinese schools should be strongly supported with official recognition too. The Chinese Malaysian especially the yonger generation simply do not accept the government education policy. The situation is like having a coach pulled by two horses in different direction.

Simply put, the Government and the people are not in good term on this issue.

It’s common knowledge that the Chinese educationist has been turning out thousands of quality graduates over the years and had therefore contributed a lot for the country as well as our neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.

Why can’t our government recognize these graduates and the achievements of the educationists? Aren't they deserve some appreciation from the government for the efforts? Is our education policy and administration being overly politicized or polarized?

A compromise from both the government and the public on the issue of education is important especially for the Chinese independent Middle school system that has been proven to be one of the successful and established institution in Malaysia. It’s to the benefit of Malaysian that the Chinese independent Middle school system be evolutionary merged with the national education policy if the country is to move forward to the advance state as envisaged in 1Malaysia.

1Education must be an education policy based on the needs of the various communities, and not by a few overly ambitious politicians or civil servants based on their own agenda. Community educational needs must be respected, honoured, and helped by the government of the day. It’s the duty and responsibility of the government to cater for the needs of all the different races and creeds of the society.

There shouldn't be naivety thinking that 1Education is to be based on 1 type of culture and language only. Instead, it should be based on the reality of Malaysia that is multi-racial, cultures, and languages. Perhaps, the Education Minister should visit Sabah more often to see how 1Malaysia should be like. In Sabah, all the residents are are Sabahan, everyone just like brothers and sisters; something West Malaysian had lost forever since the day of independence.

1Education for 1Malaysian has to be based on equality, respect, and mutual acceptance, and nothing else.