What I'm about to say might make sense to some, might trigger some, might not mean anything to some. Just read it with a grain of salt. As much I respect your views and value them, I hope you also respond respectfully too. Be kind with your words, please. I wrote this with a brain on drugs. (flu and throat infection drugs, that is. Hahahaha)
It's day 6 of the new year and also, the second week of the school year. Yeay to surviving the first week, although I am still in a complete blur state, even after 5 years of teaching (I am now in my sixth) whilst having to manage a lot of minor admin work and juggling with emotions and other shenanigans that are part of my daily waltz.
Speaking of which, the realm of education in Malaysia has been plagued with all sorts of happenings that in my opinion, were blown out of proportion and are not priorities to begin with. If you look at them collectively, it is mostly a bunch of wannabes who have no proper proof or reason to argue over a decision or a choice made, not knowing that they're being manipulated like puppets by people with their own selfish agendas. Most argue using the name of the Almighty and claim to try to speak for the honour of his or her own ethnic group. I mean, is there anything new?
Are we our skin colour or beliefs first or are we first - Malaysians? To me, I am first human, then Malaysian, then... whatever other things that do not have an eternal value whatsoever.
What are our priorities? Valor? Honour? Sure, those things are somewhat important, but isn't it also equally (or more) important to instill good values and also, cultivate minds that are knowledgeable; not create mindless zombies that blindly follow the scent of bigotry or selfish greed.
I'm not a somebody in education to begin with (doesn't really matter hahha) , but as someone who's in education, my biggest concern is not really about petty things that don't matter, but it is with consistency and honouring the words that I have spoken.
You know what I'm more concerned about? I'm concerned about young people who give up at 11 years old because they find no purpose in learning anymore since they are lagging behind. I am more worried about the tweens, who at 11 years old are flirting with their peers or seeking attention and validation from that very handsome boy sitting at the back row, often times due to a lack of attention from their parents or guardians. I am more concerned of the state of the minds of our young people. Most of them at this age are either busy burying themselves in their studies but not understanding who they are or too busy finding love in the wrong places. And if not guided well, I'm afraid many of these youths would eventually fall into the pit of teenage pregnancy or truancy instead of focusing on building their literacy.
Call me naive, call me stupid, do so as you please. In my heart of hearts, it pains me to see our people divided over such nonsensical matters that do not add value to anyone at all.
During the first stages of my research preparation, my supervisor reminded me to make sure whatever that I do, it should add value to others. I shouldn't do my research just for the sake of graduating. Sure, I could have done that, but what use would it be? It would've just been a waste of my time and his. The same mindset should be applied to what we do in our everyday lives.
And that includes how we educate. How we run our educational institutions. How we manage the concerns in our education ministry.
DO YOU ADD VALUE TO OTHERS?
Or are you just being a keyboard warrior, wasting your time attacking others on the internet instead of educating your child and teaching them how to read or even, reading to them and sharing with them about things that matter?
And we need to be forward-thinking, not just thinking in the now. Let what we give to our future generations be things and knowledge that will equip them in the long run, skills that help them survive and strive in the real world and not be mindless, petty and brainless fools who do not have their own stand but are led by fear and guilt-tripping loyalty.
I know for a thing that prejudices will always be there. But please, never make your children adhere to a certain version of truth that isn't true when you yourself have not experienced it. Our society, sadly, often times base their opinions on assumptions. All over the news, I see people talking about shutting down certain educational institutions because they allegedly promote disunity amongst the people. Or even those who are bickering over the teaching of a certain art, though all parties have their reasons and many have taken it to heart.
Dear whomsoever is telling the authorities to close down whatever educational institutions that you assume are tearing the nation apart or stopping the teaching of any kind of writing or art, I respect your views. But before you judge the institutions or plans you assume to be 'dividing' the nation, step into these places and get to know these plans for at least say, 5 years; then, give your views and opinions about it. Criticize all you want since you've been there for the minimal amount of time a policy needs to be tested. You might find that the truth is far from what you have been fed.
So please, do not just base your views on 'hear-say'. Rather, go and experience it for yourself. It hurts when people do not understand you but made assumptions about you because they are afraid of the picture painted of you by others who are equally afraid or misinformed. No one likes to be misunderstood or stereotyped for untruths, but yet people still do it.
Tak kenal maka tak cinta (when you do not know someone, you cannot love them). This applies to the state we are in in our education system today.
I can go on and on about all the issues that are happening, but I'm tired. You can go argue about it yourself. I have better things to worry about, like whether my 9 year-old can master his ABCs and recognise the sounds of words and whether my 11 year-old can express how she feels when she isn't feeling right. My 12 year old needs to know that she's not useless even though she isn't doing well in her exams but she's still an awesome person who is very talented in the area of the arts.
In a nutshell, we should go back to the essence of education. Nurturing minds, building character, equipping people with skills for them to survive, educating them on the importance of communication skills, instilling positive values of not just tolerance, but acceptance, love and kindness.
Sure, teach people to honour their roots and remember where their ancestors came from but also educate them about loving others for their differences and not cherry-pick the things they like or dislike about others. And to the people in power, come on, let's do things that have long-lasting effects and that have long term benefits for our youth, not temporary pride or thrill.
I love my students and I love the young people. Do not let our youth perish because of the foolish and selfish decisions made by power-hungry adults who do not even understand the essence and core of education.
With all that said, this is just a cry of a broken-hearted simpleton teacher. My words may not hold any weight, but this is what I needed to say.
It's day 6 of the new year and also, the second week of the school year. Yeay to surviving the first week, although I am still in a complete blur state, even after 5 years of teaching (I am now in my sixth) whilst having to manage a lot of minor admin work and juggling with emotions and other shenanigans that are part of my daily waltz.
Speaking of which, the realm of education in Malaysia has been plagued with all sorts of happenings that in my opinion, were blown out of proportion and are not priorities to begin with. If you look at them collectively, it is mostly a bunch of wannabes who have no proper proof or reason to argue over a decision or a choice made, not knowing that they're being manipulated like puppets by people with their own selfish agendas. Most argue using the name of the Almighty and claim to try to speak for the honour of his or her own ethnic group. I mean, is there anything new?
Are we our skin colour or beliefs first or are we first - Malaysians? To me, I am first human, then Malaysian, then... whatever other things that do not have an eternal value whatsoever.
What are our priorities? Valor? Honour? Sure, those things are somewhat important, but isn't it also equally (or more) important to instill good values and also, cultivate minds that are knowledgeable; not create mindless zombies that blindly follow the scent of bigotry or selfish greed.
I'm not a somebody in education to begin with (doesn't really matter hahha) , but as someone who's in education, my biggest concern is not really about petty things that don't matter, but it is with consistency and honouring the words that I have spoken.
You know what I'm more concerned about? I'm concerned about young people who give up at 11 years old because they find no purpose in learning anymore since they are lagging behind. I am more worried about the tweens, who at 11 years old are flirting with their peers or seeking attention and validation from that very handsome boy sitting at the back row, often times due to a lack of attention from their parents or guardians. I am more concerned of the state of the minds of our young people. Most of them at this age are either busy burying themselves in their studies but not understanding who they are or too busy finding love in the wrong places. And if not guided well, I'm afraid many of these youths would eventually fall into the pit of teenage pregnancy or truancy instead of focusing on building their literacy.
Call me naive, call me stupid, do so as you please. In my heart of hearts, it pains me to see our people divided over such nonsensical matters that do not add value to anyone at all.
During the first stages of my research preparation, my supervisor reminded me to make sure whatever that I do, it should add value to others. I shouldn't do my research just for the sake of graduating. Sure, I could have done that, but what use would it be? It would've just been a waste of my time and his. The same mindset should be applied to what we do in our everyday lives.
And that includes how we educate. How we run our educational institutions. How we manage the concerns in our education ministry.
DO YOU ADD VALUE TO OTHERS?
Or are you just being a keyboard warrior, wasting your time attacking others on the internet instead of educating your child and teaching them how to read or even, reading to them and sharing with them about things that matter?
And we need to be forward-thinking, not just thinking in the now. Let what we give to our future generations be things and knowledge that will equip them in the long run, skills that help them survive and strive in the real world and not be mindless, petty and brainless fools who do not have their own stand but are led by fear and guilt-tripping loyalty.
I know for a thing that prejudices will always be there. But please, never make your children adhere to a certain version of truth that isn't true when you yourself have not experienced it. Our society, sadly, often times base their opinions on assumptions. All over the news, I see people talking about shutting down certain educational institutions because they allegedly promote disunity amongst the people. Or even those who are bickering over the teaching of a certain art, though all parties have their reasons and many have taken it to heart.
Dear whomsoever is telling the authorities to close down whatever educational institutions that you assume are tearing the nation apart or stopping the teaching of any kind of writing or art, I respect your views. But before you judge the institutions or plans you assume to be 'dividing' the nation, step into these places and get to know these plans for at least say, 5 years; then, give your views and opinions about it. Criticize all you want since you've been there for the minimal amount of time a policy needs to be tested. You might find that the truth is far from what you have been fed.
So please, do not just base your views on 'hear-say'. Rather, go and experience it for yourself. It hurts when people do not understand you but made assumptions about you because they are afraid of the picture painted of you by others who are equally afraid or misinformed. No one likes to be misunderstood or stereotyped for untruths, but yet people still do it.
Tak kenal maka tak cinta (when you do not know someone, you cannot love them). This applies to the state we are in in our education system today.
I can go on and on about all the issues that are happening, but I'm tired. You can go argue about it yourself. I have better things to worry about, like whether my 9 year-old can master his ABCs and recognise the sounds of words and whether my 11 year-old can express how she feels when she isn't feeling right. My 12 year old needs to know that she's not useless even though she isn't doing well in her exams but she's still an awesome person who is very talented in the area of the arts.
In a nutshell, we should go back to the essence of education. Nurturing minds, building character, equipping people with skills for them to survive, educating them on the importance of communication skills, instilling positive values of not just tolerance, but acceptance, love and kindness.
Sure, teach people to honour their roots and remember where their ancestors came from but also educate them about loving others for their differences and not cherry-pick the things they like or dislike about others. And to the people in power, come on, let's do things that have long-lasting effects and that have long term benefits for our youth, not temporary pride or thrill.
I love my students and I love the young people. Do not let our youth perish because of the foolish and selfish decisions made by power-hungry adults who do not even understand the essence and core of education.
With all that said, this is just a cry of a broken-hearted simpleton teacher. My words may not hold any weight, but this is what I needed to say.
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