Source URL: Rakyat Times

Published on Saturday, 05 April 2014 08:14
Written by Admin

Education concerns us all. It nurtures, transforms and liberates. The future of our nation depends on it.

Lately, issues on education have raised much concern among the rakyat. However, the ensuing discourse has, splintered the aspirations of the various interest groups instead of unifying them. The politicisation of education further complicated the issue.

A group of 29 concerned non-governmental organisations on education from various backgrounds has agreed to work together on an initiative to reform our education system. Our vast experience in running many educational institutions (private) and expertise from among our members will be applied to come up with a Malaysian approach to education.

The consensus of the group which forms the basis for this educational initiative is summarized as follows:

1.      Pluralistic Malaysia
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual country with multiple streams of schools. Any form of educational legislations, policies and reforms must be premised upon the pluralistic nature of our country;

2.      Holistic Approach
The approach to educational reform in our country should be holistic, with a Malaysian perspective towards a better Malaysia in the long term;

3.      Unity in Diversity
There is a need for a quality educational system which supports the development of schools of all streams and promotes unity through diversity so as to produce knowledgeable persons with integrity, as stated in the National Philosophy of Education;

4.      Equitable and Just Treatment of all Streams
Schools of all streams are valuable assets for the country. Thus, there should an equitable and just treatment for all streams in the national education system. Multiple streams of schools shall remain within the national education system, and should not be disputed.
5.      Bahasa Malaysia the National Language
The status of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language is preserved and protected, and should be a compulsory subject in all schools;

6.      Mother Tongue is a right and as a human right and effective learning medium
Mother tongue is the best medium of instruction for effective learning in motivating students to think critically, learn independently and participate actively in class;

7.      English the Global Language
Undoubtedly, English is the global language. There must be a concerted effort to raise the standard of English among our students to enable them to compete on the global platform;

8.      Deteriorating Standards
The deterioration in the quality of education, as revealed by the international assessments done by The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is of deep concern;

9.      Make Learning Fun
Young people learn better in an atmosphere that is fun. Our education system should incorporate ways that engage our students and not distance them. Students should be encouraged to ask questions and express their opinions which in turn will lead to a more enriching teaching and learning process whence acceptance, understanding, respect and fairness are experienced;

10.  Meet Challenges Head On
Our students are ill-prepared for the tremendous escalation in global competition. Reforms on the Malaysian education system should meet the challenges head-on;

11.  Equal Access to Quality Education
Every student has the right to quality education, regardless of social, ethnic or any other background. Our education system must ensure that each student is guaranteed this.

12. For this education reform to be realised, the Education Act 1996 must be amended and the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 must be reformulated and rectified.

The group has agreed to work in the following areas:

(a)   Education Philosophy and Mission
(b)   Equity Concerns
(c)    Equality Concerns
(d)   Unity Concerns
(e)   Decentralisation of Education
(f)     Quality and Planning Concerns
(g)   Education Oversight (Ombudsman)

We welcome participation from any interested parties to make this initiative a success.

Education liberates. Let us together free our future generations.

List of Initiating NGOs of National Education Reform Initiative (NERI)

1.       The KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)

2.       Pertubuhan IKRAM Malaysia (IKRAM)

3.       Persekutuan Persatuan- Persatuan  Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah China Malaysia (Dong Zong)

4.       Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Jiao Zong)

5.       LLG Cultural Development Centre (LLG)

6.       Tamil Foundation (TF)

7.       Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)

8.       National Indian Rights Action Team (NIAT)

9.       Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall (NSCAH)

10.   Muslim Professional Forum (MPF)

11.   Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies (CMCS)

12.   Dewan Perhimpunan China Pulau Pinang (PCTH)

13.   Dewan Perhimpunan China Melaka

14.   Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Cina Johor

15.   Persekutuan Pesatuan-persatuan Alumni Sekolah China Malaysia

16.   The Federation of Alumni Associations of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia (FAATUM)

17.   The Association Of Graduates From Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia

18.   Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM)

19.   Nanyang University Alumni Association of Malaya

20.   Merdeka University Bhd

21.   The Federation Of Hokkien Associations Malaysia

22.   The Federation Of Kwang Tung Association Malaysia

23.   Persatuan Kwangsi Malaysia

24.   Persatuan San Kiang Association In Malaysia

25.   Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce

26.   Malaysia-China Friendship Association

27.   Eight Major Chinese Youth-based Organizations (EMCO)

28.   Malaysia Christian Youth Association (MCYA)

29.    Council of National Clan-based Youth Federation of Malaysia (CNCYFM)