people seem to perceive that exams only tests memory skills. this is false.

exams are geared towards testing something, anything, that we wanna measure. so it could be memorization skills, critical thinking, problem solution, bridging and so on. each element would have a different way of questioning.

abolishing exams is abolishing the measuring tape. that wont solve the education issues in malaysia. what is needed is a different measuring tape. u cant measure ur waist using a ruler, u need a measuring tape!

please, if you wanna discuss about education, leave the politics out of it. i think some of you have misinterpreted what ts is trying to deliver from the beginning. it has nothing to do with the privileges.

after reading all the posts, it did changed my mindset towards our nation's education system. all of you do have your points.

all the while, I've had this mindset that our education system is too exam orientated. which is partially true for some reasons. of course, the society's obsession with examination is a major factor. with parents pushing their kids to gather as many A's as possible, it is definitely going to lead certain quarter of the society to jump on the advantage of providing tuitions solely for the purpose of business. tuition is no longer for the weaker students but for students who want to compete for Who's-Got-The-Most-As. hence, leading to a very exam orientated education in school as students only learn what will be tested (forecast questions,soalan bocor and etc) not what they wish/desire to know. the thirst for knowledge and understanding is no longer there. passion is lost.

then again, you cannot take away the examination as yes, as most of you have said it is the 'measuring tape' of education. teachers do need to gauge the students, the administration needs to gauge the teachers and parents would want to gauge the schools. that's just one of the many reasons why you cannot take away exams from an education system.

i believe there's no need for an overhaul but just review certain aspects in the education system. quit going back and forth on the decision to teach in english or malay medium. if we want to progress and be on top with the others, then time is gold. we need to set a course, and go with it. don't go back otherwise it's just a cycle.

This post has been edited by kink_ass: Aug 4 2009, 10:40 PM

Education is necessary...But the wrong of the wrong is we tend to be way too excessive...Greed of security and achievement...Schooling is important or vital, but doesnt mean the only way to gain the basic or knowledge is from SCHOOL...Our purpose of education had change...Rather than develop one's potential skill, ppl tend to turn their child into what they wan...Excessively is what a good word to describe our education...drift away from the origin purpose of education
I always believed man is superior because of discovery knowledge, not installment of knowledge...U can stuck everything in ur brain, but if u dont nurture ur skill as pioneer or hunter of knowledge, u wont get or even build an equation (understanding) in our mind...Education i refer is stucking everything in ur brain, at the end of the day u go for a test see whether there is a hole u hadnt fill...I prefer to use my computer to do so

Most of our objectives to school because the guarantee of better jobs and financial security in future....Most dono even care the great meaning behind the knowledge...treating education as a investment business where u can start early in childhood...SOme parents gamble everything and even in poor condition, still dont allow the kids to works things out , keep reminding the education is a way out of poverty, behave of knowledge or financial security???...It doesnt mean they are wrong to think so, but do u think today society is way way to excessive??thinking that the better u are at school, the better of chances u success in future and the smarter u are...... I always wonder why TOp 50 students in my school, most of them doesnt even love or bother to watch documentary channel, reading book than text book...which i love the most...WHen i ask them why, they ask it is pointless...But when i meet with some top students in australia, they love this documentary so much that they said it inflict so much curiousity about this world, make their life meaningfully...this is the scenario i'm facing

I wonder the main purpose we go school is for knowledge or otherwise?? If indeed to gain basic of knowledge, what is the major motive behind it?? ARE WE SINCERE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE??? ARE WE SINCERE??

---

Added on August 5, 2009, 2:13 amI dont consider ppl like einstein, bill gate, thomas edison as a genius because of their achievement....OF coz they are genius...But i prefer their great achievement in life because they are human....THey do things naturally ....pursue knowledge the origin way that human pursue it ...SHould we pursue knowledge sincrely and naturally???

This post has been edited by communist892003: Aug 5 2009, 02:13 AM

in terms of education, the best is probably vocational school ...

you learn stuff that is actually beneficial instead of theory and calculation ... and don't get me started on p.moral ...

even if you drop out of school, you have skills to fall back on ... if you are good enough to go to uni, u will breeze through the practical stuff

science stream, art stream ... all bs if u ask me

the purpose of education hasn't change, it is the people that changed. All of the complaints that you brought forth are caused by the people rather than the education system.

We need school, it is the place where children are gathered, its the place to learn about socializing, it is organized, it has rules and it has superiors. Without schools how easy would it be to expose a child to a great number of kids of their age? Socializing, organizations, rules and superiors are all parts of life that must be learn. Its not all about the academic per se.

no one is saying that school is the only way to gain knowledge, you're assuming things. Parents, society, library or even the internet are all source of knowledge. But there are many restriction such as time and accessibility which put all these other options aside. If school is abolished to make way for these alternatives, what of those without access to it? You'd screw them up just like that?

i think malaysia education system is too exam oriented....i suggest that education system in malaysia (specific in school) implemented 50% practical based n 50% exam based...

The aim of education should b to teach us rather how to think, thn wat to think, rather to improve our minds,so as to enable us to think for ourselves, thn to load d memory with thoughts of other men -Bill Beatie

Education is therefore a process of living and not a preparation for future living -John Dewey

and how do u suppose we gauge the practical based education?

Primary school is to strengthen the basic knowledge of a student.

Secondary school
Form 1 to Form 3 is a stage where you will be knowing which field you are better of, in term of Science Stream and Art Stream.

Form 4 and Form 5, indeed a stage to find out more specific which subject you are GOOD and INTERESTED in, especially Science stream, which have physics, chemistry, biology, etc.

Form 6 is for those who no money + able to handle the subject you gonna take ppl. Others, just go for private.

Uni is all about knowing basic of a specific field and get more knowledge about it BY YOUR SELF. Its all about SELF LEARNING once you gone to Uni level.

This post has been edited by Dark Lord: Aug 21 2009, 02:27 PM

experience is good.. but without education, nothing learned.. the problem is malaysia is tat the teacher is not well train.. they r more text based experience.. in europe .. the educationist r usually from the industry.. so the student r teach by pro in each subject..

they teach primary also???

I think TS try to say that education meaningless doesnt not mean learn is meaningless. It is two different meaning. But i still disagree with TS, as i think education is also important cause it is basis of knowledge. It jus such as free market, in which is balance condition.
But we know world isnt fair at all way, so sometimes there is still lack of something somewhere.
To say about msian education, I really sad cause they doesnt see the problem, but jus implement and create new rules. Sometimes even the rules they done, not even solve or end it problem. It jus show us that they are working =="
And yes, STPM even harder than Uni.. Don flame me, is my opinion, cause STPM, 1 and half years study, exam will cover full, and there is no tips, cues, clues. Uni or college, every sem, which only around 5 months duration. Every sem not same subject, and we doesnt know .. If the lecturer helping student? Tips? and etc.

I really hate PMR and SPM. It's all about marking scheme especially SCIENCE. Why dont they let us think and understand rather than just write things that you actually dont know and like we havet o memorize stuff.

Exams, memorization -- these are too common for most schools. Schools follow what was written on the book and teachers disseminate this information and check whether students have grasped the lesson. Do these hinder a student from learning the actual lesson? I think not. Exams improve discipline, as well as a student's critical thinking.

This is where internship will take role. For years, a student will experience heavy memorization and studying what seem to be trivial in the "real" world". However, the time will come when a student will be ready to apply what has been taught to him, by means of internship. It's the best way to gauge the student's grasp on the lessons taught to him.

Be it a boarding school or a university, a student should still learn to master what has been taught. Although some lessons and courses might not be useful when he graduates, still it's a practice of being critical and possessing knowledge on other things (History -- who would think this will be useful in the future?)

I agree with what a previous member said that no amount of knowledge is meaningless. It's just a matter of learning and thinking outside the box, right?

I wonder if this thought of mine is even feasible, if in the future I have a child.

Age 1-2. Basic talking, words, alphabets, walking, playing with useful toys such as lego, play dough, all of which spawn self creativity, responsibility etc. taught and supervised by parents. This will develop the bond between parents and child. Mingling with other kids at playgrounds would also expose the kid to society. Baby language such as gugugaga or kuchikuchiku prohibited. Never hit a child. Punishment can be through stern talking, or removal of a favorable thing.

Age 2-3. Exposure to certain young child development classes that are focused on arithmetic, drawing, language, creativity, would help direct a child to his/her future education as well as mingling with society, so it won't become a shock during later ages. Singing and basic drawing can be self administered at home, so further bonding between parent and child can be ensured.

Age 2-3. Child dance classes to allow the child to mix around with other kids. Exposure to electronic baby toys. Continue language development and mingling with society, taught mannerism and responsibility and how to behave well in public through frequent excursions to various public settings, both in the city as well as in nature. Exposure to music, art and the beautiful part of society and let the child be amazed by its wonders.

Age 4-5. Continuation of those in years 3-4, and able to appreciate nature and wildlife and the difference between that and the modern city, able to assimilate easily and comfortably in both settings. Start more advanced stage of language, mannerism and responsibility. Can have child development professionals visit the house once in a while to get the child more exposed to the notion of teachers. Let a child start voicing out ideas, make decisions, be independent in getting and preparing food, going outdoors, opening doors, switching on lights and taps. Instill the sense of responsibility through reminding them and testing if they have turned off what they have turned on, and checking on these constantly and showing that it is important. Also, taking care of a small and manageable pet would be a great way too. Exposure to high tech gadgets such as mobile phones, plasma TVs, computers, the insides and organs of a car, etc. however prevent over-enthusiasm and addiction by dilution with many other new things in life.

5-6. Continuation with more advanced level of language, arithmetic, and computer literacy. Encourage a child to speak out, and correct any errors made by repeating to the child patiently. Exposure to more advanced cars or buggies for kids would be great too. Allow child to choose which form of art he/her is interested in, as mentioned above e.g. piano, singing, dancing, etc. or maybe even hint at the arithmetics if a child is very fast in it.

6-7. Get the child to try online guides and educational tools that are for 2 years his senior. If a child doesn't know something, always encourage learning by teaching him and explaining. Always encourage questions, and deeper thinking and appreciation.

7-12. Start to instill a sense of responsibility in the child for his/her education. Level by level mastery of arithmetic and language suitable for his/her age through internet education. Can opt for tutors for specific subjects. Continue exposure to the public and outdoors to maintain levels of socializing and public exposure. Public exposure is always ensured through social parties, dance classes, birthday parties, kids outdoor camp etc. Allow kid to make decisions during shopping for groceries, driving directions, dining places, purchasing from different companies, patient explanation of why something is good or bad, and curb the temptation for indulgence, but instill the sense of working hard towards achieve something, while enjoying the process at the same time. Overseas trips to expose child to new surroundings.

13-16. Overseas trips to both modernized areas as well as rural areas. Modernized can be places such as KL city, Dubai, NYC, London, Shanghai, and rural can be Nepal, Tibet, Indonesia, etc. Mountain climbing, go karting etc. Exposure to corporate arena through corporate sponsored events or site visits to workplace, as well as business meetings. Allow kid to enter temporary workforce if interested, as well as e-commerce. Continuation in achieving and loving high standards in both general knowledge as well as money & banking & economics, and the awe of sciences. This is also the period where the child can be trained professionally towards a professional field.

17 - Ready for Harvard. LoL.

Notice I haven't included sportsmanship interests, public speaking, leadership experience, and religion in the above. They're all equally important. Notice that SMK, SJK, schools etc etc weren't included, thus the questioning of feasibility. Of course, the child should be also be prepared for the minimum requirements of O-Levels and A-Levels.

This post has been edited by entryman: May 28 2010, 01:47 PM