When I first came here I could not help but notice the separatist education policy that allowed for different linguistic and ethnic schools to be operating, all to a variety of syllabi, just to cater for the supposed needs of different communities.
Shouldn’t we all be heading down the same track?
Apparently not! Inward looking policies designed to localise education rather than ensure it meets ever-changing international standards plague the system, from primary school right up to PhD level.
Two recent government initiatives (dare I even call them an initiative, rather, regressions) have particularly raised the eyebrows of this commentator. And yes, before you ask why some unknown white guy is commenting on the Malaysian education system, I have spent half my life working in education, not only overseas, but also in Malaysia as a Principal and a University lecturer. What I have seen has blown my mind, especially the following two.
The first mind blowing initiative was the government’s decision to reduce scholarships to send students overseas to prestigious universities to complete their studies. WTF?
The excuse was that if you leave the students here the local Universities will slowly improve – what, by the time their grandchildren reach study age? This argument is immediately followed by, so many of them don’t come back.
Brain drain is an unfortunate consequence of globalisation of education, but the globalisation of education also provides opportunities for Malaysian students to work under some of the world’s most promising minds.
In order for standards of knowledge dissemination and research to improve in Malaysia, bringing Malaysian universities further up the world university ranking tables, Malaysians need to be immersed in the international education community.
It doesn’t solve the problem of brain drain, but punishing top scoring students who deserve a real chance to make something of their lives by being taught and mentored by global academic leaders, is simply something we cannot turn our backs on.
Professor Earth_JOHNNY AUTOMATIC (OCAL)
Well, back to the brain drain. It’s not about “students escaping”, it’s simply about making it attractive to come back. Salaries at government universities are not attractive, and those with exposure overseas may in fact follow the money.
Pay academics what they are really worth, reward them for sharing their brilliance (or at least, current mediocrity) with their students, and show that Malaysia is serious about improving the quality of tertiary education.
International universities import expert professors to help develop their teaching and research program – but how many expatriate staff do Malaysian Universities have? It is this global integration, exchange of staff, and sharing of academic wisdom and practice that truly contributes to building strong universities. Local conferences and incestuous training practices simple perpetuate a downward style of textbook teaching and lack of real innovation.
Well, enough said on that one, let’s turn to my recent gripe regarding primary and secondary schools.
I read last week the controversy over “teacher registration”. Hmm, I thought to myself. Malaysian parents are happy to have their kids taught by anyone. Teacher registration may be a bureaucratic process, but done right it is also a form of quality control.
Teachers register to show that they have completed the necessary teacher training and achieved the required achievement goals, that they are competent in the subjects that they teach, and to ensure that they are upstanding citizens – after all, we don’t want criminals teaching our kids, do we?
I recall an incident several years ago when I interviewed a local candidate for a teaching job. This short pudgy man, with far too much bling-bling came to the school for an interview. His extensive handwritten resume (apparently short pudgy men can’t use typewriters or computers) was impressive.
He had been employed as a full time teacher at two government schools, yet had not what I considered sufficient qualifications to be a teacher, let alone the communication skills or classroom management skills to handle the position.
Maybe this one fell through the cracks I thought, but during two years of interviewing, it clearly became obvious that the crack was very wide, and had an equally exhaustive population.
Teacher registration ensures that your children are taught by professionals capable of imparting knowledge in an appropriate way, as well as guaranteeing the safety of the children in their care. How safe do you feel with your children’s current teachers?
This is not to disrespect teachers, for I am one myself. But it is to say that as with any industry, there are rogues. As adults, we can weed these rogues out, but do our children get the same benefit.
It is time to rethink the stance on teacher registration and start looking after the children – ensuring that they get the best available, and that they can trust the actions and behaviour of those responsible for their care during school hours.
For Malaysia to grow as a world class educator, it is time to really focus on how to ensure that quality education is being achieved. Look outside the box, provide realistic solutions to ensure that future generations get what they deserve – the best!
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