Exams: one form of assessment

The death of E. Premkumar after failing his SPM examination is indeed a dreadful episode.  Why such a tragic happening? This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred. Failure in examination should not be a cause for a student to end his life.

Unwarranted pressure and high expectations on the part of parents, school administration and teachers can be cited as causes for such incidents.

Such happenings is because society at large are looking at examinations as a source of pride and honour for the family, household, school, education department and the Ministry of Education.

There seems to be an academic rat race among students. After all, examination is just one part of education, that is a form of evaluation of the student’s academic achievement. Academic advancement can be gauged by many ways and one of it through examinations and tests.

Parents need to understand that examination is not the sole issue and concern in education. Students should be taught to see education as wholesome, not studying just to pass examinations. If a student has not passed his examination, does it mean he or she is not clever?  Why despise and ridicule the student for not passing an examination? 

Parents should learn to accept children as they are. Not everyone can score all As. It is demoralizing students when you compare one with another. Each and every one is unique, just the fingers of a hand.

Scoring all As doesn’t mean that the student is successful in his life. There are many factors that enable a student to be successful in life.

All the time, A achievers are appreciated and glorified, where else the non A achievers are not given any recognition or even acknowledgement by parents, schools and society at large. Celebrations and jubiliations are for the A achievers.  The so-called low and moderate achievers also need celebrations and appreciation for passing examinations. They also need motivation and assurance from all quarters. But, sad to say such events are not happening.

Actually, we are the one that categorize students as high, moderate and low achievers. In education, we should not put them in such categories.

Perhaps, parents and teachers need to change their perception of education. We need to see education as wholesome. A student in his journey through schools and colleges should enjoy education, not mugging and struggling to compete in a rat race with his counterparts.  At the end of the day, education should mould a person to become a good citizen, a better equipped person to face the onslaught of life and succeed in his life.

Let us all, lend a hand and work together to take away the phobia of examinations from the minds of our children. Let them learn to see examinations as one facet of the education system.

Parents, teachers, education department and concerned parties should not unduly put pressure on children until they are psychologically and emotionally disturbed. Show more love and compassion to children and prepare them to face education in a positive approach.

Ageing and longevity

The First World Congress on Healthy Ageing was held recently in Kuala Lumpur recently. As a senior citizen, I read the proceedings with much enthusiasm. Ageing is a physical phenomenon and is something that inevitable for human beings. Greying, wrinkles and loosening of body muscles are part and parcel of old age. 

As stressed in the Congress, it is important that ageing is a healthy one. I think healthy doesn’t mean physically fit and able to do workouts in gyms and the sort. It means free for any serious ailments and possessing a healthy mind. Besides, one should have a positive attitude towards life.

I believe one formula for healthy ageing is keeping oneself active, both physically and mentally.  Retirement doesn’t mean that we are at the end of our journey. It is just a mind set.  We have many senior citizens in our midst living happily enjoying the life as it is. I think this is healthy ageing.  Our former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad and Royal Professor Ungku Aziz are classic examples. Although in their 80’s and 90’s, both are still ageing healthily.

As long as senior citizens are engaging in some of activity, I strongly believe he or she can live healthily although ageing. Studies show that an active mind keeps diseases and aliments at bay. There are many ways keeping one active mentally. Involving in NGO’s, social, spiritual activities and also perhaps doing some yoga and brisk walking should suffice for a healthy ageing among senior citizens. Healthy diet, being a teetotaller and adopting a healthy lifestyle are other ways to ensure healthy ageing. 

In this context, we truly appreciate the government’s decision to extend the retirement age to 60 years. It is indeed a good move to keep the ageing population active, at least physically and mentally until 60.  Let us all, including me a retiree, look forward ageing as a phenomenon and not an alarming factor, but rather a part of life. We should learn to take life as it, as many are doing it nowadays. Ageing should not be feared but faced with optimism and hopefulness.

Tolerence and moderation: Key for racial unity

At the gathering of World Interfaith Harmony Week recently, Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak called on Malaysians to see the diversity as an asset to the nation.

It is indeed sad to note that certain quarters have disapproved his action and made an issue about his presence merely wearing a kurta at  Thaipusam’s celebration in Batu Caves recently. After all, kurta is just a tradisional attire for Indian men just like Malaysian Chinese and Indian women wear the kebaya.

As clarified by the Premier, we should not confuse between culture and religion. Religion is about faith, but culture is a social practice among people. Both should not be made to conflict with each other.

In Malaysia people from different cultural background adhering different religions, like the Bahá'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jain and Muslims, still practising their own culture and customs, including their dress code. The dress code is just a social identity, not a religious identity.

We should not allow ignorance of other religious beliefs to become a barrier for unity and solidarity in our nation. Intolerance should not be allowed to obscure religious truth. A climate of religious tolerance, although challenging should be a priority in our multi-cultural and multi-religious societies in Malaysia.

All of us, including religious leaders, educators, media and the government should work towards establishing religious tolerance and mutual understanding among the citizens of this country. Steps of friendly mutual tolerance ought to be established between various religious adherents of the Malaysia to make haven for all.

As stressed by Najib, moderation is key word for religious tolerance in any country. I believe, as Malaysian we are just like flowers of one garden, living harmoniously and peacefully in this great nation of us.  We have learnt to accept our differences and accept each other as fellow Malaysians in a spirit of fellowship and comradeship.

 As demonstrated by the Prime Minister himself, all Malaysians should consort with peoples of all religions with joy and gladness. We are all waves of one sea, as echoed in 1Malaysia concept.

Muar: Royal Town

As a Muarian, I am extremely pleased with the announcement of Muar as Bandar Diraja or royal town by His Highness, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Sultan of Johor. I am sure all the Muarians share the same joy and pride with the historic announcement.  Historical records show that Muar has a history which stretches more than 100 years. The Portuguese records show Muar existed as early as 1600. Muar was one of the earliest town established in the state.

 

It is interesting to note that Muar had its own railway known as Muar State Railway (M.S.R) in the years 1889-1925. It operated from Maharani town to Parit Jawa to provide transport for the residents in Parit Jawa and the neighbouring villages. The service was terminated in 1925 when a road named Jalan Abdul Rahman was opened from Parit Jawa to Muar town.  The engine of M.S.R is now displayed at Tanjung Emas Muar as local heritage.

 

The name Maharani was given to this town by Sultan Abu Bakar who was also known as Maharaja, when he officially named the town as Maharani, in honour his Queen in 1884. The city of Maharani was the capital city until the capital moved later to Tanjung Puteri (now known as Johor Bahru).

 

There are many etymologies for the origin of the name Muar. One of it is said Muar obtained its name from its geographical location at the mouth of Muar River. Muara means estuary in Malay.

 

Several historical buildings stand with grandeur and majesty until today to testify Muar town is architecturally rich and historical designs. Among them are Muar High Court building built in 1885 in a neo-classical architecture, the Royal Customs & Exercise built  built in 1909 and  High School Muar, built in 1914.  

 

Some years ago, in 1984 Muar celebrated its 100^th year celebrations with much pomp and grandeur many years ago. At this juncture, as urged by the Sultan of Johor, the residents of Muar should ensure that the cleanliness of the town is maintained. Perhaps, Muarians should make efforts to change the pensioner’s town image to a modern and developed town.

Origin of yee sang

I refer to the recent debate about the term Yee Sang. The term which literally means “raw fish” is a favourite dish served throughout Chinese New Year celebrations by the Chinese communities.  In fact, Yee Sang has become a tradition synonymous with abundance, prosperity and vigour.

 As a linguist fascinated by etymology, the study of history of words in language, I would like to share some views on this subject. Yee sang, according to Lim Mun Fah of the Sin Chew daily  is a Chinese word from the Cantonese dialect. This means the term originated from mainland China. One website said the dish originated as early as 220.  As the Chinese community dispersed to other parts of the world as emigrants, including to Malaysia and Singapore, yee sang being part of Chinese culture was tacked along with them. It is said the yee sang culture was brought to Malaysia and Singapore as early as 1920’s. 

So, the question that the word yee sang originated from the Chinese in Singapore cannot hold water.  Neither, can the Malaysian Chinese claim it originated from Malaysia. Probably, the content of the dish has changed from the original yee sang. Local flavour was added and the dish has now evolved into the modern version of yee sang.

I believe as an etymologist and linguist, this type of polemics can be solved, if we have an etymological dictionary. The dictionary will trace the history of all words used in languages. Therefore, I urge the Chinese community, especially the scholars to work on an etymological dictionary in the near future. Besides providing invaluable information of the origin of words, it could also serve as essential research tool for Chinese words.

On the controversy of the yee sang, I suggest we need not split hairs but rather accept the dish as a Chinese dish, a precious part of the Malaysia and Singapore’s Chinese culture. As Malaysians, we should be proud of yee sang, a cultural belonging of the Chinese, in particular the Cantonese community.

Work Ethics

Work ethics

Recently, there has been some dissatisfaction expressed by certain quarters about the exit policy included in the Public Service New Remuneration (SBPA).  They have expressed their reservation of the implementation of the policy. 

Firstly, I strongly concur with the exit policy that has been included in the SBPA. I think we should welcome the policy and it should not be withdrawn as urged by many quarters, especially by Cuepacs. 

For efficient and sound working of our public service, such a measure should be advocated. With the current extension of retirement to 60 years by the government recently, we are afraid that a sizeable number of civil servants will not be able to cope up with demands and needs of the civil service. As such, these civil servants will probably become dead wood. We cannot allow dead wood to be present in the civil service. If a civil servant is not able perform for three years consecutively, he or she should be prepared to leave the service and find employment elsewhere, as argued by the Public Service Commission. 

Every individual, no matter how handicapped and limited he or she may be, is under the obligation of engaging in his or her profession, for work, especially when performed in the spirit of service, is a form of worship. It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a value in itself, because it draws us nearer to God, and enables to better grasp His purpose for us in this world. It is obvious, therefore, that the inheritance of wealth cannot make anyone immune from daily work. If all civil servants hold to this principle of ‘Work is Worship’, I believe no civil servant will be asked to leave the service.

Therefore, I urge all quarters to support the move of the Public Service Division to go ahead with this exit policy in the SBPA. After all, such a move is to make our public service more competent and productive.

The ills of technology

The advent of technology has truly revolutionized human life. It has indeed made our living, hassle-free, easy, and above all, comfortable. All these have happened at the expense of the erosion of traditional human values practiced for years by our ancestors in our life, like taking time to talk to each other, paying a visit to homes of friends and relatives, and attending marriages or funerals in person.

Today, we ask about each other’s health, convey congratulatory messages, New Year greetings by SMS or emails. It has been accepted norm to send SMS and emails to do these activities.

In the past, we take time to meet friends and relatives to inquire about their health, attend family function and funerals in person. It was unacceptable for one at that time if a person doesn’t attend social events in person.

But today, it is the other way around. I remember a relative of mine said “Just SMS me for your son’s wedding. That suffices, and no need for wedding invitation card.”

Basic human values and requirements are slowly and assuredly are not being practiced nowadays with the coming of technology. I remember reading a newspaper report (NST, 16 Oct 2011) stating the technology has led to parents and children spending less quality time with each other.  Studies show parents spend about 8 minutes a day with their kids, mostly giving instructions and directives to carry out duties and daily chores.

Today, many spend more and more time or rather obsessed with technological gadgets like internet, hand-phones and the like, instead of communicating with family members. Family members are glued to television and spend hours together, but sadly not communicating with each other. 

It is even reported that many spend hours on the internet, chatting, browsing, up-dating face-book and twitting. Even parents send emails and SMS to their children although they stay under the same roof. It is mockery, but a fact of life today. All these happen as each and every one of us are busy in our own way.

At times, it is an irony that we call up friend staying away from us and chat for a long time, but our spouses and children who are just in our midst are not communicated. Our family members will value and appreciate the togetherness when we talk to each other and spend time with them.

The question that arises: Where are we heading? Once a renowned anthropologist said man is a social being. I wonder whether such a definition can be accepted today. Probably, socializing is taking a different form, through these technological gadgets and instruments. Maybe, it is for the better or worse, we are yet to know it.