Teachers generate transformation in education system

Teachers Day  is dedicated to all teachers for their contributions to the education of children.

In Malaysia, it is celebrated on May 16 annually with a theme. This year’s theme is “Teachers Generate National Education Transformation”, which is aimed at bringing transformation in the education system.

What is transformation? It simply means complete change, that is, from the current system to a new system. But, how can teachers play their role in the change of the system?

Teachers first need to take owner­ship of the transformation that is expected in our education system.

They should also give up the notion that they are the source of all knowledge. Rather, they should form a partnership with their students in a shared learning process.

Students should be made to realise that they are directors of their own learning and as indivi­duals they can determine the courses their wish to take. Teachers should play the role of facilitators and mentors.

As children are inherently noble, teachers need to cultivate students’ noble attributes, virtues, qualities as well as living skills as this would enable children to contribute their share to the building of an ever advancing civilisation.

Devoid of these values, children will be lost in this material world. It is not only facts and figures that the children should learn about but also moral values. These noble values will be their stronghold throughout their lives.

Education should not only consider the physical and intellectual side of children but also spiritual and ethical aspects. Sadly, our educational system laid too much focus on the cognitive domain.

Therefore, education should strive to develop an integrated set of capabilities; technical, artistic, social, moral and spiritual, so that individuals can lead a meaningful life and become agents of positive social change.

The curricula and methodologies used in schools should foster such inter-related capabilities that will require an education system that responds and is governed by universal spiritual principles.

Happy Teachers Day to all our teachers who have slogged all year round to educate our children.

Values in life

In a recent study by Ipsos Malaysia, it was reported that 71% of the top concern of Malaysians parents in Malaysia is teaching their children life values.

This finding is truly gratifying as good values are the most important element in one’s life. Life values like uprightness, honesty, boldness and trustworthiness are truly noble values. In this respect, we salute our parents for their priority concern in raising children. In parenting, infusing good values is very essential, in particular when children are tender and green. Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning.

The finding also asserts that most parents give priority for inculcating good values among their children. This aligns well also with the nation’s national philosophy which emphasizes good ethics and moral values among of our students so that they can become responsible and respected members of the nation.

I think today’s crucial issue among our young ones is the lack of values. A lot grievance is conveyed by many quarters about the lack of ethical and moral values among our children. Many incidents can be cited to support the claim. One good example, today’s young people often forget or overlook to say thank you to elders. A child that is of good character and well-behaved is preferable than a rude and ill-natured child. The question of goodly character is of first importance as this lead to everlasting honour.

Good values go a long way in molding a young child. Values are the ones you carry throughout your life and perhaps hereafter. A person is always remembered for his or her values. So, let us raise children who are rich in good values as strongly desired by our Malaysian parents.

Albert Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value”.

Moral values and virtues essential

In the latest Reader’s Digest appraisal, Malaysians have been branded as a rude nation. It is really remorse to know such a grading by a leading magazine. Malaysians were always known for their excellent behaviours. But, now things have changed drastically. Not much consideration is given to good values and virtues by people nowadays.

We see in our midst, people - young and old, talking rudely to elders, not greeting when meeting others, interrupting conversations, laughing without moderation, not saying sorry and the like. Aren’t these values taught at home and at school? Or perhaps such training is lacking in schools and homes? 

People are now slowly losing their values and virtues, like courtesy, gratitude, consideration, moderation, politeness and so forth. These noble virtues need to be implanted in the minds of people, especially the young ones.  

What is the flaw in society which causes such a situation in Malaysia? Basically, our education system and home education is the cause of the deterioration of values among Malaysians. Perhaps parents are not emphasising the importance of inculcating the noble values at home. I believe proper education of children is vital importance to the progress of mankind, and the heart and essential of all education is spiritual and moral training.  

Parents and teachers have a crucial role in guiding children in acquiring these moral values and virtues. In moral training, mothers do play a crucial role. Mothers are the first educators of children, who establish virtues in the child’s inner nature. They encourage the child to acquire perfections and goodly manners, warn children against unbecoming qualities, and encourage them to show forth values like courtesy, compassion, kindness and trustworthiness.

As a developing nation, we cannot afford Malaysia to be branded as nation devoid of noble values and virtues. Such appraisals by magazines like Reader’s Digest surely and definitely affect tourism and name of the nation. So, please Malaysian please be more courteous, polite, helpful, hospitable, accommodating, and caring to all.