Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Martabatkan Bahasa Melayu Dahulu

Oleh ASLIZA MUSA

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Jun - Semua kaum di negara ini perlu memartabatkan penggunaan bahasa Melayu di samping memperkasakan bahasa Inggeris sebelum mempelajari bahasa ibunda lain seperti Tamil dan Mandarin.

Ketua II Gabungan Persatuan Penulis Nasional (Gapena), Profesor Datuk Dr. Abdul Latiff Abu Bakar berkata, sekiranya kerajaan mahu mewajibkan pengajaran bahasa-bahasa ibunda tersebut, ia perlu dilakukan secara berperingkat-peringkat bermula di sekolah rendah.

"Kita tidak boleh paksa murid-murid belajar bahasa-bahasa tersebut kerana ia agak menyukarkan," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.

Kelmarin, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan kerajaan akan mewajibkan penyediaan guru-guru Bahasa Mandarin dan Tamil di semua sekolah kebangsaan supaya pengajaran dan pembelajaran kedua-dua bahasa itu dapat dilaksanakan sepenuhnya di negara ini.

Menurut Abdul Latiff, langkah kerajaan itu sebenarnya merupakan strategi untuk menarik kaum lain menghantar anak mereka bersekolah di sekolah kebangsaan.

Namun, jelasnya, untuk mewajibkan pengajaran kedua-dua bahasa tersebut kepada pelajar, ia sedikit menyukarkan kerana secara tidak langsung akan membebankan mereka apabila terpaksa belajar banyak bahasa dalam satu masa.

Katanya, cadangan itu akan lebih berkesan sekiranya kedua-dua bahasa tersebut diwajibkan kepada murid-murid India dan Cina di sekolah kebangsaan manakala pelajar Melayu diberi pilihan belajar Bahasa Arab.

Selain itu, katanya, sekiranya cadangan itu diteruskan, ia perlu melibatkan murid di sekolah rendah terlebih dahulu manakala pilihan pula diberi kepada pelajar sekolah menengah.

Presiden Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Perguruan Kebangsaan (NUTP), Hashim Adnan pula berpendapat, cadangan itu perlu dilakukan secara berperingkat-peringkat dengan menyediakan prasarana yang mencukupi terlebih dahulu.

Katanya, sekiranya cadangan itu mahu dilaksanakan dalam waktu terdekat, ia memerlukan satu tempoh percubaan untuk menilai kesan dan kelemahan pelaksanaannya.

"Cadangan ini tidak boleh dilakukan secara sambil lewa kerana ia melibatkan bahasa.

"Kementerian perlu berunding dengan pihak-pihak yang terlibat terlebih dahulu untuk mengenal pasti kekurangan dan kelemahannya," katanya.

Presiden Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM), Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz pula berkata, cadangan itu terlalu awal untuk dilaksanakan kerana penguasaan bahasa Melayu di kalangan pelajar masih berada di peringkat tidak memuaskan.

Presiden Majlis Pemuafakatan Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru Nasional (PIBGN), Profesor Madya Datuk Dr. Mohamad Ali Hassan pula berpendapat, langkah itu tidak akan membelakangkan bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan.

"Langkah ini membolehkan setiap kaum mempelajari bahasa ibunda masing-masing dan ia tidak akan mengganggu proses untuk memartabatkan bahasa Melayu dan memperkukuhkan bahasa Inggeris di kalangan masyarakat," katanya.

Diambil dari: Utusan Malaysia Online 16 June 2010, http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0616&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_02.htm


Pendapat aku: Ya.. aku amat bersetuju dengan pendapat bahawa kita perlu memertabatkan Bahasa Melayu dulu. Walaupun pembelajaran Bahasa Mandirin dan Tamil adalah tidak wajib (Menurut TPM dan Menteri Pelajaran) tapi tak perlulah kita nak sangat anak-anak kita belajar bahasa lain dahulu. Ramai budak-budak zaman sekarang BM mereka haishkkk hancur (BM aku pun dah agak teruk.. tatabahasa dan kosa kata aku pun dah tak sebaik masa zaman sekolah dulu). Aku percaya hilang bahasa hilanglah bangsa... tak salah nak belajar bahasa-bahasa lain tapi bahasa sendiri kena juga kita kuasai dahulu. Bagi orang-roang lain (yang bukan Melayu) mereka juga perlu kuasai BM sebabnya mudah.. mereka duduk di negara Malaysia yang menggunakan BM sbagai bahasa kebangsaan dan bahasa pengantar harian... Hisk kalau berbincang perihal pendidikan dan bahasa ini sampai sudah takkan habis kerana ia melibatkan politik dan sentimen perkauman sedikit.... penat bila kita pikirkan ia..

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

3M @ 3R (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic) Issue in Malaysian Primary Education

I found this article in Berita Harian Online interesting and worth sharing with all~~

Taken from: http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Tuesday/Pendidikan/20091103073642/Article

Bicara Akademia: Penguasaan 3M



PENGAJARAN menerusi lagu atau alat muzik sesuai untuk murid Orang Asli.

Laksana pelbagai kaedah P&P ikut kategori murid

IKUTI pandangan Dekan Fakulti Pendidikan, Universiti Malaya, Prof Dr Saedah Siraj, mengenai keperluan kaedah pengajaran dan pembelajaran berbeza bagi mengatasi masalah penguasaan kemahiran asas membaca, menulis dan mengira (3M) di kalangan murid sekolah seperti disampaikan kepada wartawan pendidikan Berita Harian, Khairina Yasin.

KEGAGALAN atau ketidakupayaan sebahagian murid sekolah rendah menguasai kemahiran asas 3M adalah antara cabaran getir dunia pendidikan hari ini.


Biarpun sukar mengenal pasti angka sebenar murid dikategorikan bermasalah itu setakat ini, ramai pakar pendidikan bimbang implikasinya yang mungkin boleh menyebabkan mereka hilang minat ke sekolah.

Jika kelemahan murid menguasai 3M ini tidak diatasi sejak Tahun Satu, masalah itu akan berlarutan apabila mereka memasuki Tahun Dua dan seterusnya.

Di manakah silap atau apakah kekurangannya? Dalam memperbetulkan keadaan, tidak dinafikan banyak usaha dilaksanakan Kementerian Pelajaran bagi menangani masalah penguasaan 3M ini di kalangan murid.

KAEDAH P&P berbeza perlu meningkatkan penguasaan 3M di kalangan murid.

Antaranya mengadakan kelas pemulihan, kelas khas untuk kanak-kanak istimewa, latihan guru berpendidikan khas, perluasan kempen membaca dan penempatan kaunselor di setiap sekolah.

Namun, keberkesanan pelaksanaannya tidak menyeluruh dan belum mampu memberi perubahan besar terhadap perkembangan penguasaan kemahiran 3M di kalangan murid terbabit.

Dalam sesetengah keadaan, kurangnya komitmen pengurusan sekolah antara penyebab pendidikan murid tergolong dalam kategori ini, gagal mencapai matlamatnya.

Menyisihkan murid terbabit daripada mengikuti pendidikan seperti rakan lain hanya akan menyulitkan langkah mengatasi masalah mereka kemudian hari.


Ada juga yang menegaskan kepentingan peranan ibu bapa dalam membantu anak menguasai kemahiran asas berkenaan, namun ia tetap tidak membebaskan guru daripada membantu murid yang lemah itu.

Berdasarkan kajian sebelum ini, keperluan langkah penyaringan dan pengesanan awal murid yang belum menguasai 3M penting bagi mengenal pasti pelaksanaan program pemulihan bersesuaian dengan mereka.

Langkah awal itu membolehkan murid dikelompokkan berdasarkan punca sebenar kelemahan mereka menguasai 3M sama ada akibat persekitaran, pemakanan atau kesihatan.

Pemerhatian mendapati murid lemah 3M boleh dikelompokkan lima kategori, iaitu anak Orang Asli, kanak-kanak istimewa atau pendidikan khas, murid menghadapi masalah psikologi, kanak-kanak terbiar dan mereka yang sememangnya berketurunan tidak boleh membaca atau dungu.

Setiap kelompok murid terbabit memerlukan kaedah pengajaran dan pembelajaran (P&P) berbeza bagi memastikan kelemahan pembelajaran mereka dapat diatasi secara berperingkat.

Pencarian kaedah P&P mengikut kelompok perlu ditekankan Kementerian Pelajaran kerana jika dilaksanakan secara tunggal, ia tidak boleh diguna atau diaplikasikan kepada semua murid yang gagal menguasai 3M.

Keadaan ini wajar dikaji semula di peringkat akar umbi dengan merujuk faktor mempengaruhi masalah penguasaan 3M dalam setiap kelompok murid terbabit sebelum menentukan kaedah P&P yang tepat dan bersesuaian.

Dalam kes anak Orang Asli contohnya, kesukaran memberi fokus kepada apa yang diajar menyebabkan mereka gagal menguasai 3M.

Hubungan antara pemikiran dengan pergerakan mata agak lambat berikutan wujudnya gangguan yang menjejaskan fokus mereka terhadap pembelajaran.

Bagi menanganinya, penggunaan alat muzik dalam proses P&P disifatkan antara kaedah sesuai untuk meningkatkan penguasaan kemahiran asas itu di kalangan anak Orang Asli.

Ini kerana mereka amat peka terhadap deria pendengaran. Oleh itu, alat muzik adalah perantara sesuai diguna pakai guru bagi menarik tumpuan kelompok murid masyarakat minoriti itu terhadap pengajaran guru.

Malah, banyak kajian luar negara membuktikan penggunaan alat muzik mengikut etnik atau budaya berjaya membangunkan kemahiran 3M di kalangan murid sekolah.

Bagi kes murid istimewa atau pendidikan khas, kepekaan ibu bapa terhadap proses pengembangan anak dituntut bagi membolehkan kelemahan mereka dikesan sejak awal.

Murid disleksia antara kelompok murid yang gagal menguasai 3M, namun disebabkan pengetahuan ibu bapa yang rendah mengenai penyakit itu menyebabkan masalah berkenaan tidak dipandang serius.

Malah, ramai ibu bapa termasuk golongan profesional cuba menafikan anak mereka berdepan masalah berkenaan hingga merasakan tidak perlu dibantu.

Murid disleksia melihat sesuatu dengan pandangan yang berbeza terutama berkaitan pembelajaran. Sebagai contoh, mereka tidak dapat diajar abjad dengan cepat kerana ada huruf yang akan ditinggalkan disebabkan pemikiran tidak dapat 'membaca' huruf berkenaan.

Dalam usaha menangani masalah ini, kaedah P&P haruslah lebih khusus dan perlu dipraktikkan guru yang mahir mengenainya.

Selain guru dan murid, keberkesanan program pemulihan ini memerlukan kerjasama dan penggemblengan tenaga semua pihak, termasuk sekolah dan ibu bapa.

Apa yang penting, pelaksanaan tindakan progresif menangani masalah penguasaan 3M di kalangan murid ini sepatutnya sejak awal lagi, bukan pada peringkat mereka sudah terlalu jauh tercicir.

Monday, 8 June 2009

Dear reader,

What do you think about this?

Patutkah bahasa Inggeris dijadikan mata pelajaran wajib?

KUALA LUMPUR: Sasterawan ulung Inggeris, William Shakespeare pernah berkata: 'to be or not to be, that is the question'.

Petikan pujangga itu bermain di fikiran apabila merujuk kepada sama ada bahasa Inggeris patut dijadikan mata pelajaran wajib untuk lulus peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin melontarkan persoalan itu untuk dibincangkan oleh orang ramai dan bagi kerajaan mendapatkan maklum balas.

Katanya beliau dimaklumkan bahawa ramai pelajar di luar bandar akan gagal SPM jika bahasa Inggeris dijadikan mata pelajaran wajib untuk lulus.

"Dengan itu, saya tidak fikir ia (tidak menjadikan mata pelajaran bahasa Inggeris sebagai mata pelajaran wajib untuk lulus) memenuhi tujuan kerana bahasa Inggeris adalah bahasa yang amat penting yang kita gunakan dalam kehidupan seharian kita," katanya semasa merasmikan penubuhan Persatuan Alumni Maktab Kirby yang baru di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata untuk meningkatkan kualiti kemahiran dan penguasaan bahasa Inggeris di kalangan pelajar, pengajaran mata pelajaran bahasa Inggeris perlu dilakukan oleh guru berkelayakan.

"Mungkin idea yang baik ialah mencontohi konsep Maktab Kirby, (iaitu) menghantar guru belajar bahasa Inggeris di persekitaran yang bertutur dalam bahasa Inggeris," katanya.

Sementara itu, Muhyiddin berkata sumbangan guru lepasan Maktab Kirby adalah amat besar dan mereka telah berkhidmat dengan penuh dedikasi pada tahun 1950-an dan 1960-an iaitu ketika sekolah-sekolah masih daif dan kemudahan pelajaran masih kurang.

"Walaupun negara kita masih mundur dan tahap keselamatan agak membimbangkan pada ketika itu, kehadiran guru-guru Maktab Kirby yang terlatih dalam bilik-bilik darjah telah membawa pembaharuan kepada sistem pelajaran negara.

"Saya juga dimaklumkan bahawa Maktab Kirby yang (melahirkan guru) berbilang bangsa dan agama ini merupakan ''miniature Malaysia'' di mana semangat ''1Malaya'' dan ''Malaya Boleh'' mula disemai," katanya.

Beliau berkata guru lepasan Maktab Kirby juga menjadi kayu ukur kepada kecemerlangan profesion perguruan di negara ini, dan ini terbukti dengan pemilihan empat bekas pelajar Maktab Kirby sebagai Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan dari tahun 1988 hingga 1998 iaitu Harith Laiki, Idris Tain, Lau Hut Yee dan Dr Yahya Ibrahim.

Muhyiddin turut melancarkan buku "Kirby College-A Heritage" hasil tulisan Dr Shaari Isa serta merasmikan Pameran Maktab Kirby anjuran Muzium Pendidikan Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Maktab Kirby merupakan satu eksperimen pendidikan yang unik dengan sebuah negara asing iaitu Malaya (kini Malaysia) dibenarkan membuka sebuah Maktab Latihan Guru di England pada 1951.

Maktab itu beroperasi selama sepuluh tahun iaitu dari 1952 hingga 1962 dan telah berjaya melahirkan lebih 1,500 guru pelatih dan 405 pelatih guru, dengan bantuan pakar daripada Institute of Education, University of Liverpool. - Bernama



Taken from : Berita Harian Online (2009) http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Monday/Mutakhir/20090608161134/Article.

Friday, 15 May 2009

Selamat Hari Guru: Guru Pembina Negara Bangsa

It is 16th May today (well in Malaysia not now in UK)... so it means that today is Teacher's Day. Boy I just realised that a lot of celebration happens in the Month of May... Teacher's day.. Mother's day.. you name it (actually I have ran out of idea heheheh). The point is, actually we do not need a specific date or day to celebrate and show our gratitude to all the people who really give a big influence in our lives. Loving and caring your mother, teachers, father etc.. is much more than just saying I Love You or Thank You. It is shown in our daily action. But as people already created a specific day to celebrate Teacher's Day why don't we just jump into the wagon right? hehehhehe. To all teachers, ex-teachers and future teachers especially in Malaysia (and of course around the world...) I would like to wish all of you HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY.

:: A Teacher for All Seasons ::

A teacher is like Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.

A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.

A teacher is like Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.

A teacher is like Winter,
While it’s snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.

Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You’re a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude!
By Joanna Fuchs

Taken from here.


p/s: Kalau tak kerana guru-guru yang mengajar saya dari kecik sehingga kini~~ Tak mungkin saya mahu untuk menjadi warga pendidik juga~~ Terima kasih yang tak terhingga kepada semua insan bergelar guru.

Friday, 8 May 2009

:: Malaysian Education : Say No to EXAMINATION...only ::

Less Exam-Oriented Education Under UPSR Curriculum.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty per cent of the Primary School Assessment Test (UPSR) will account for a child’s results when a new curriculum is introduced for Year One pupils from next year.

The remaining 70% will be based on several approaches, including psychometric tests, school-based assessments and achievements in extra-curricular activities and sports throughout the six years of study.

“By the time the pupils sit for the UPSR in 2016, they would have been assessed from Year One in these other areas which will make up 70% of their marks with 30% from the (UPSR) examination itself,” Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.

He said that Year One pupils in 50 schools nationwide had been using the new curriculum under a pilot project last year. It was extended to 500 schools this year.

“The pilot project is ongoing at the moment. A final decision will be made by the end of the year to determine the weightage of the UPSR marks,” he told reporters after representing Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Kuala Kumpur International Book Fair at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

Dr Wee said feedback from the pilot project had been positive and the ministry would consider other views before making the final decision on the weightage.

“We have to introduce this new curriculum at Year One as we can’t start from the middle,” he said. At present, 100% of pupils’ assessment in Year Six comes from the UPSR.

Former education minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had said that the new curriculum would replace the existing primary school integrated curriculum first introduced in 1983 and reviewed in 2000.

Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the new curriculum would not test pupils only on what they have learnt in a centralised examination.

“Parents have complained that the system is too examination-oriented so we are trying to make it more holistic and fun for pupils,” he said, adding that school-based assessments should not be a burden for teachers as they were already assessing their pupils through weekly and monthly tests as well as mid and year-end examinations.

By doing this, Alimuddin said that if pupils fell ill during the exam and did badly, the ministry could still take into account their overall school assessment rather than depend solely on their UPSR results.

“If the pupils still get A in their UPSR, this means the marks are not derived solely from their brains but having taken into account other approaches such as attitudes, extra-curricular activities and school-based assessments,” he said.

As for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, he said there were proposed weightages of 50% and 70% respectively.



Taken from: The Star April 15, 2009 - http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/19/nation/3725514&sec=nation


p/s: This might be late, but I have been keeping this article on bookmark. Just want to share it with those who might be interested. What I have to say is just that it is great to know we, Malaysian have move on a bit from exam-oriented spectrume. I know that the government is ready ( I hope so hehehhe), the only question is, are the parents ready? In general, our society still consider that examination result is the only things that will determine of our chidren future. I have to say that I am not totally into to this idea, because of many reasons. But then I am not opposing it as exam result do contribute to what I am now. Herm better stop babbling, overall I think overcoming exam-oriented phenomena in primary schools is a wise decision.

Sunday, 12 April 2009

:: Malaysia's New Cabinet and New Minister of Education ::

This might be a little bit late but hey I just came back from my holiday and get a grip of the internet just today, trying to catch up with all the things that happened a few days back in Malaysia. I did managed to get a few infos about my beloved country and what's going on over there. So now we have a new cabinet with our 6th Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak and his new Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (which is bound to happen). Reading the new list of cabinet members I can see that there are few new faces and old ones, and there are few old members who were assigned new portfolio. As a person who is not very keen and knowledgeable about our political scenery I will not comment much on Dato' Seri Najib's battlefront in leading the country, but what caught my interest is our new Ministery of Education, our very own Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

:: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin our Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education ::

Now Malaysian education field have a new leader. He (Tan Sri Muhyiddin) preceded this portfolio from Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Congratulations and a big welcome I bid to Tan Sri Muhyiddin for obtaining this portfolio. As we know, Education is always an interest of the nation (and me personally), a lot of people will be looking on what he has to offer. I personally hope that with a new leader, Malaysian education scene will have positive changes and give more (if not just little bit) favour to the teacher. Education is one of the main source in changing our beloved country, thus a good leader is needed in making sure that Malaysian education system will be uphold to the utmost standard.

To Dato' Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, I would like to say thank you for all the works that he had done while holding the post for 5 years. Our education system underwent a lot of changes under his leadership make it good or bad (erm but mostly I can say good changes). I would also like to say good luck with your new portfolio.

:: Dato' Hishamuddin Tun Hussein former Minister of Education and now Minister of Home Affairs ::

And to the new cabinet under the leadership of our 6th Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib, what I have to say is that our Nation ... Malaysia is depending on all of your leadership, good luck and may God be by yourside all the time.

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Realiti Profession Keguruan Malaysia.

Siapa cakap jadi cikgu ni mudah? Orang yang cakap macam tu memang naif. Mereka ingat cikgu kerja 5 hari seminggu je ke? Bila cuti sekolah cikgu cuti juga? Tanggapan yang silap dan tidak benar sebenarnya. Tugas seorang guru melangkaui sesi pembelajaran biasa. Lebih-lebih lagi guru yang mengajar kelas peperiksaan. Kelas tambahan tak pernah lekang. Bagi guru yang mempunyai pengalaman mengajar sukan tentunya akan sibuk menjadi jurulatih kepada atlit-atlit sekolah. Berpanas di bawah teriknya mentari setiap kali melatih anak murid. Belum lagi dikisarkan tentang tugasan pejabat yang sentiasa bertali arus. Cabaran mengajar di kelas yang penuh dengan kerenah anak murid yang berbagai sentiasa menanti. Pernahkah kita terfikir bahawa guru dikehendaki melayan 30-40 orang sekali gus? Dan ketika cuti sekolah bukan masa untuk bersenang-lenang bagi guru-guru sekalian. Ada yang menanda kertas peperiksaan. Ada yang perlu menyediakan rancang persekolahan untuk tahun hadapan. Guru besar atau pengetua mempunyai kuasa untuk memanggil guru-guru hadir ke sekolah atas urusan sekolah bila-bila masa ketika cuti sekolah. Macam "on-call" sudah jadinya.

Kalau hanya bercakap tanpa asas dan bukti memang menarik entri kali ini. Tapi ini adalah sebenarnya realiti bidang ini. Saya tak akan bercakap tanpa asas. Pengalaman dan pemerhatian terhadap kakak-kakak saya yang seramai tiga orang menjadi guru di sekolah menengah mahupun sekolah rendah memberi gambaran yang amat jelas terhadap profession ini. Tak guna kalau saya memberi pandangan sendiri. Bacalah laporan dari tabloid di bawah dan mungkin anda akan paham.

Ramai guru sakit jiwa

Profesion perguruan terdedah kepada risiko tinggi untuk mengalami tekanan mental.


PESAKIT mental terpaksa berjumpa pakar psikiatri secara berkala.

BEBANAN kerja sebagai guru semakin kompleks kerana selain mengajar, mereka juga terpaksa menyediakan soalan-soalan peperiksaan dari semasa ke semasa, mengisi buku kedatangan, buku disiplin dan ringkasan mengajar, borang kesihatan dan rekod kemajuan murid, kelab dan persatuan, serta mengendalikan persiapan hari sukan.

Justeru, guru-guru dikatakan terdedah kepada risiko tinggi untuk mengalami tekanan sehingga boleh membawa kepada penyakit mental yang serius seperti bipolar, kebimbangan melampau dan kemurungan.

Kajian oleh Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Perguruan Kebangsaan (NUTP) mendapati 70 peratus daripada 9,000 guru di seluruh negara tertekan bukan sahaja kerana beban tugas tetapi juga terpaksa berdepan dengan kerenah pengetua, kerani, ibu bapa dan juga pelajar.

Bagi Noreha (bukan nama sebenar), selain terpaksa berdepan dengan masalah rumah tangga, dia turut tertekan dengan kerenah pengetua sekolah tempatnya bertugas.

Guru berusia 46 tahun itu yang ditemui di Wad Psikiatri, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM) berkata, dek kerana tekanan, dia sering diketepikan dalam pelbagai aktiviti sekolah.

"Sebelum ini saya memang sudah mengalami tekanan. Pengetua pula selalu mempertikaikan cuti yang saya pohon sedangkan surat daripada doktor disertakan.

"Bila kerja semakin bertambah, dicampur pula dengan tekanan daripada orang atas dan kerenah anak-anak, saya semakin runsing," katanya.

Noreha yang merupakan penanda kertas peperiksaan Matematik untuk peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) dan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) memberitahu, dia sebenarnya seronok menjadi guru.

"Saya memang suka mengajar, lebih-lebih lagi apabila murid banyak bertanya dan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan. Tetapi keadaan sekeliling seperti pengurusan sekolah dan rakan sejawatan banyak memberi tekanan.

"Ada juga yang faham keadaan saya, tetapi lebih ramai yang mengatakan saya gila. Mereka tidak faham mengapa saya perlu cuti untuk pergi berjumpa pakar psikiatri. Mereka juga anggap saya terlalu ikutkan perasaan," jelasnya.


HARAPAN yang tinggi terhadap keputusan peperiksaan pelajar turut memberi tekanan kepada golongan guru.

Noreha yang berasal dari Pulau Pinang tidak menafikan pihak sekolah ada memberi pelepasan kepadanya tetapi apa yang menyesakkan fikirannya ialah cutinya sering menjadi buah mulut orang.

Ada yang mendakwa Noreha sengaja menjadikan tekanan yang dialaminya sebagai alasan untuk bercuti.

"Secara fizikalnya saya memang sihat, tetapi dalaman saya berkecamuk. Saya bukan buat-buat sakit. Ikutkan hati, saya tak mahu masuk hospital dan tinggalkan keluarga dan kerjaya saya," katanya.

Ibu kepada dua orang anak ini juga memberitahu, dia cuba untuk mengawal perasaannya daripada terus tertekan, tetapi adakalanya semakin dia cuba untuk tenang, semakin agresif pula jadinya.

"Kadang-kadang saya tak rasa tertekan. Saya rasa sihat, tetapi orang sekeliling tak anggap begitu, mereka mula sorokkan pisau. Kebelakangan ini saya kerap dimasukkan ke wad berbanding dulu," katanya.

Kerja tujuh hari seminggu

Berbeza dengan Norehan, akibat terbeban dengan kerja sebagai guru JQAF, Zaimah Mishan, 42, pernah mengalami sakit jiwa.

Dia yang mengajar sekolah aliran agama tidak mampu untuk menanggung beban tersebut lebih-lebih lagi banyak masa dihabiskan di sekolah berbanding bersama keluarga.

"Saya pernah mengalami masalah jiwa iaitu kecelaruan bipolar sehingga saya tidak mampu mengajar. Enam bulan saya dirawat dan direhatkan.

"Ramai melihat guru JQAF tidak banyak kerja memandangkan mereka hanya mengajar agama tidak seperti sekolah aliran kebangsaan. Namun, mereka juga dibebani dengan komitmen luar," katanya.


NOR ZURAIDA





Zaimah yang pernah mengajar di beberapa buah sekolah berkata, ada pengurusan sekolah yang memahami tanggungjawab guru JQAF namun ada juga sekolah yang menyamakan guru JQAF seperti guru-guru lain.

"Semasa saya mengajar di sekolah A, saya pernah bekerja tujuh hari seminggu, dari pagi hinggalah petang sampaikan tiada masa untuk suami dan anak-anak.

"Hari Isnin hingga Jumaat, saya mengajar seperti biasa. Kadang-kadang saya diminta menggantikan guru lain mengajar subjek bukan aliran JQAF.

"Hari Sabtu pula, ada kegiatan kokurikulum yang mana semua guru terlibat dan hari Ahad pula saya selaku guru JQAF diwajibkan terlibat dalam Kem Bestari Solat," katanya.

Menurut Zaimah, beban terlalu berat yang tidak dipantau oleh pegawai yang sepatutnya itu ternyata memberi kesan kepada guru-guru JQAF.

"Kami terbeban, tersepit, letih, dan hampir kena mental block. Masa yang ada untuk berehat ialah waktu malam, itu pun kami terpaksa bawa pulang buku latihan murid-murid untuk ditanda.

"Itu tidak termasuk kursus atau kertas kerja yang perlu dibereskan untuk aktiviti gerak kerja," katanya.

Zaimah yang baru lima bulan mengajar semula selepas bercuti panjang menjelaskan, keadaan dirinya ketika 'sakit' dahulu bertambah teruk lebih-lebih lagi apabila suaminya berkahwin lain dan anak-anak enggan berjumpa dengannya.

"Bila saya tertekan dengan kerja, suami kata dia nak kahwin lain dengan alasan saya terlalu sibuk dengan kerja. Keadaan saya bertambah teruk waktu itu.

"Bila sakit saya datang, anak-anak tidak mahu dekat dengan saya. Hanya keluarga saya yang datang memberi sokongan untuk saya jalani terapi dan rawatan di hospital.

"Selepas bercuti lama, saya mengajar di sekolah lain. Alhamdulillah, selepas menjalani rawatan dan sesi kaunseling, saya sudah boleh mengawal tekanan di tempat kerja. Suami dan anak-anak pula sudah kembali pada saya," katanya.

Berisiko mendapat penyakit kritikal

MENURUT Pakar Perunding Kanan Psikiatri, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM), Prof. Nor Zuraida Zainal, setiap tahun dianggarkan 22,000 pesakit mendapatkan rawatan di klinik dan wad psikiatri hospital berkenaan. Kira-kira 10 peratus daripada mereka terdiri daripada golongan guru.

“Guru sekarang tidak seperti guru zaman dahulu. Guru sekarang terbeban kerana banyak tugasan baru yang perlu dilaksanakan selain mengajar.

“Di samping sibuk dengan aktiviti persatuan, panitia, kelab, rumah sukan, kursus dan gerak kerja luar sekolah, guru-guru juga perlu berdepan dengan tekanan lain.

“Mereka turut berhadapan dengan perangai pelajar dan kerenah ibu bapa serta pengetua yang sentiasa menaruh harapan tinggi untuk melahirkan pelajar cemerlang dalam peperiksaan,” katanya.

Ramai ibu bapa, tidak kira di bandar atau di luar bandar, masih menganggap bahawa sekolah dan pusat tuisyen ialah tempat untuk mendidik anak mereka dan menyerahkan tanggungjawab itu sepenuhnya kepada guru.

Apabila ada anak yang gagal, sesetengah ibu bapa terus menuding jari kepada guru sedangkan kejayaan para pelajar tidak hanya bergantung kepada pengajaran di sekolah.

Bercakap mengenai gejala tekanan yang sering dialami oleh pesakit-pesakitnya yang juga guru, Nor Zuraida memberitahu, kebanyakan mereka menghidap kecelaruan bipolar iaitu kewujudan pelbagai karakter yang berlawanan dengan keadaan guru terbabit sebelumnya. Ini diikuti kebimbangan melampau dan kemurungan.

“Mereka yang mengalami kecelaruan bipolar nampak sihat seperti biasa, malah pada tahap hipoaktif, mereka menjadi rajin dan produktif dalam melakukan sebarang kerja walaupun tidak mempunyai waktu rehat yang cukup.

“Tetapi kerja yang dilakukan tidak pernah habis dan ini yang mendatangkan sangsi kepada orang di sekeliling mereka,” katanya.

Tiga faktor utama yang menyebabkan tekanan ialah keturunan, faktor sekeliling seperti kerja dan jaringan sosial seperti keluarga, rakan-rakan dan masyarakat.

Sekiranya terdapat keturunan yang mempunyai masalah jiwa, risiko untuk guru mendapat tekanan menjadi lebih tinggi.

Malah, jelas Nor Zuraida, guru yang tertekan berisiko empat kali ganda lebih tinggi untuk mendapat penyakit kritikal seperti sakit jantung, darah tinggi, kencing manis dan buah pinggang.

“Tanda-tanda awal penyakit ini bermula dengan kemurungan. Guru akan mula hilang tumpuan mengajar, bosan, pendiam dan jika berlarutan mereka tidak mampu lagi untuk mengajar dan melakukan aktiviti harian.

“Sekiranya wujud keadaan-keadaan seperti ini, pihak pengurusan sekolah perlu memahami dan membantu guru berkenaan dengan mengurangkan waktu dan kelas mengajar serta memberi kelonggaran untuk menjalani terapi dan kaunseling,” jelas Nor Zuraida.


Diambil daripada : KOSMO! Online 23 March 2009 http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2009&dt=0322&pub=Kosmo&sec=Rencana_Utama&pg=ru_02.htm


Terkejut? Ya saya pada mulanya memang terkejut tetapi setelah dianalisis dan difahami laporan di atas saya dengan rela hati bersetuju. Angka 10% daripada keseluruhan pesakit sakit jiwa di Malaysia adalah para guru amatlah memeranjatkan dan merungsingkan. Tetapi dengan beban tugas yang perlu digalas oleh guru-guru Malaysia masa kini angka tersebut adalah logik diterima akal. Mungkin kini anda lebih paham tugas seorang guru dan tidak memandang mudah tugas dan bebanan yang digalas oleh seorang guru. Mereka bukan sekadar mengajar, mereka adalah pendidik, jurulatih, kerani sekolah dan berbagai-bagai lagi.

Bagi mereka yang ingin menjuruskan diri dalam bidang keguruan. Entri kali ini bukanlah bertujuan untuk menjadi momokan bagi anda. Teruskan minat anda dalam bidang yang mulia ini. Ia hanya bertujuan untuk memberi gambaran sebenar profession ini di Malaysia. Diharapkan anda lebih bersedia untuk menjadi insan yang bergelar guru dimasa hadapan. Semoga kita sama-sama dapat memartabatkan profession keguruan yang mulia ini.

Thursday, 19 March 2009

After SPM: Make It OR Break It.

The 2008 SPM results are already out and I'm sure that right now most of the candidates are busy applying to further their study. After SPM is the point of your life where you have to think about the future (for us Malaysian). It is either you make it of break it. Sometimes it is kind of weird to think that our future is determine on how good is the result of our exam. But, there are still lots of people outside there who prove it is wrong to determine a future of someone base on their exam grades. But hey that is just how the world works.

Back to the topic. For those who got flying colours result for their SPM, applying to further their education in the courses that they really want seems like a breeze...or not? Each year the number of those who get straight As or GOOD result for SPM increase. This means that the competition for them to get their most sought after courses (like medicine, biology etc..etc....) is harder. For those who obtained ordinary result they have to think harder in order to apply. My sister is also part this people right now. She just got her result a few weeks before. She didn't get a straight As result but overall she did well.... Alhamdulillah.. I called home a few days back and ask her what she want to apply to further her study. She really didn't know what to apply but she does have a few courses in mind. So as someone who been in her shoes before I gave her a few word of advice that I myself use before. These are few advices that I gave to her.
  1. Follow your dream - Life is about fulfilling your dream. I told her not to blindly select a course base on what people tell you to do. You are the one who should make your own life. I just hope that she will choose a course that she will not regret at the end and enjoy learning. Hey..education and learning is all about things that you enjoy right?
  2. Be realistic - Yes we can dream as much as we want but we must be realistic. The real world is cruel and YES we can't be everything that we want. I told her that she must be realistic with what courses that she want to apply. Look back at her SPM result and choose courses that in-line with her SPM result.
  3. Ask Mum's opinion - I know that my mum is someone who believes in the choice made by her children but asking the opinion from a mother will not hurt you. Although she might not know much of the current education situation but she is the one who have all the experiences. Furthermore, it is kind like "mengambil restu dan berkat".
  4. Think about the future - I told her that nowadays to find a job is not easy and lots of graduated students still looking for job. I ask her try to look for a course where it have a demand for workforce. So that in the future it will be easy for her to find a job... InsyaAllah.
I know she will make the right choice. And I would like to share my simple advice to all of those who are looking forward to further their study. Good luck to all of you.

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Those were yesterdays~

An advice to all students out there~~Think before you act.

Come on, it's just homework

BACK in secondary school, my friends and I were not really part of the "in" crowd. Our only pleasures were playing video games, gawking at pretty girls from a safe distance and reading comic books. We were failures at sports. We didn't have girlfriends. We were the losers, the nerds.

Students who are mature and  hard working will form the foundation of society.
Students who are mature and hard working will form the foundation of society.
 These students are the future of the country.
These students are the future of the country.

"Hey look at that girl! She's hot!" exclaimed one of my friends after school assembly one morning while wiping snot with his dirty handkerchief.

"Ask her out then," I replied, "you've been talking about her for weeks."

"Nah..." retorted my friend, ending our ridiculously weak excuse for a conversation with that one simple word. That was only the tip of the how-boring-life-at-school-could-be iceberg.

But it was not all bad. We had teachers who could make the day our best, or worst, depending on whether you'd done your homework.

My history teacher, let's call her Puan 'R', was a prime example. She could be terrifying, or she could be nice to her students. Usually by the end of each class, she would hand us raft of homework to be done by the next day. The only way to get out of it was to call in sick.

As for the completed assignments, some would get a pat on the back for a good job, or an earsplitting smack on the back if it wasn't.

But despite cowering in fear, none of us held a grudge against the teacher. It was our fault we were not studious, and her punishment was not maliciously intended.

Puan R's ability to bring out the best in her students made her one of the popular teachers in school.

So I was startled by a recent news report from Segamat.

A student is believed to have tried to burn his teacher's brand new car after she scolded him for not doing his homework. The teacher said she would never have thought that a student could do such a terrible thing.

"I'm not fierce with my students," she was quoted as saying.

The student could now be hauled to court on a criminal charge and be locked up for up to two years. A record that will follow him for life.

I'm no expert in psychology and (geek mode alert!) I can't offer sage advice like Yoda to his Padawans.

But here is my two cent worth to all pimply, angst-ridden students, just take things in your stride. Everyone has difficulties in life, be they prince or pauper.

Learn to be patient, anger is not the answer to problems. Being scolded over a simple thing is not a reason to commit a crime. Come on boys and girls, it's just homework.

Taken from: NST Online - My Johor http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Wednesday/MyJohor/2500270/Article/index_html

Thursday, 5 March 2009

Keputusan SPM, STAM 12 Mac Ini~

KUALA LUMPUR: Keputusan peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) dan Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) 2008 akan diumumkan pada 12 Mac ini.

Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran, Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom, dalam kenyataan hari ini berkata calon yang menduduki kedua-dua peperiksaan itu boleh mendapatkan keputusan mereka di sekolah masing-masing bermula jam 10 pagi.

"Calon persendirian pula akan mendapat keputusan mereka melalui pos yang akan dihantar oleh Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri," katanya.


Alimuddin berkata, pengumuman analisis keputusan SPM dan STAM 2008 akan diadakan serentak pada 12 Mac jam 9 pagi di Putrajaya.

Seramai 442,936 orang calon telah mendaftar untuk menduduki peperiksaan SPM 2008 dan daripada jumlah itu 388,079 atau 87.6 peratus adalah calon sekolah Kementerian Pelajaran, 16,019 (3.6 peratus) calon sekolah kerajaan negeri dan tajaan badan-badan tertentu, 10,331 (2.3 peratus) calon sekolah swasta dan 28,507 (6.5 peratus) calon persendirian perseorangan, katanya. - Bernama

Taken from : Berita Harian Online (2009) http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Thursday/Mutakhir/20090305195742/Article/

p/s: Eti nanti dah dapat keputusan bagi tahu abang ok... All the best sis..

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

.: Jangan Calar Citra Keguruan :.

Guru didakwa meliwat, lakukan seks oral

KLANG: Seorang guru sekolah rendah dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen di sini terhadap dua pertuduhan meliwat dan melakukan seks oral terhadap seorang remaja lelaki berumur 14 tahun di sebuah rumah di Rantau Panjang di sini, Ogos tahun lalu.

Badrul Akmal Ishak, 30, mengaku tidak bersalah dan minta dibicarakan selepas kedua-dua pertuduhan dibacakan kepadanya oleh jurubahasa mahkamah.

Tertuduh didakwa sengaja melakukan persetubuhan di luar tabii dengan meliwat mangsa di rumah No: 53, Jalan Genting 5/KU4, Taman Kembara 2, Rantau Panjang, kira-kira jam 1 pagi pada 24 Ogos tahun lalu.

Dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 377C Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara minimum lima tahun dan maksimum 20 tahun dan sebatan, jika sabit kesalahan.

Badrul Akmal, yang ditangkap pada 29 Ogos tahun lalu juga didakwa sengaja melakukan persetubuhan di luar tabii iaitu dengan memasukkan zakar ke dalam mulut mangsa, kira-kira pukul 3 pagi di tempat dan hari yang sama.

Bagi kesalahan itu, dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 377A Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum 20 tahun dan sebatan, jika sabit kesalahan. - Bernama

Diambil daripada: Berita Harian Online (21 Januari 2009) http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Wednesday/Mutakhir/20090121160025/Article/index_html


p/s: Kadang-kadang kerana nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga~ jangan lah rosakkan profession keguruan yang mulia ini..

Sunday, 30 November 2008

:: Another Lost in Malaysian Education System ::

Belasungkawa: Razali terkenal dengan sikap mesra, prihatin


PEMERGIAN tokoh pendidik yang juga Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Razali Ismail, 59, (1949-2008) ke Rahmatullah di Institut Aminuddin Baki, Genting Highlands, Pahang secara mengejut kira-kira jam 6.30 petang semalam adalah kehilangan yang cukup besar bagi warga pendidikan serta warga Kuala Terengganu khasnya yang sudah sebati dengan sikap mesra dan prihatin yang cukup sinonim dengannya.


Dilahirkan di Kuala Berang pada 25 Jun 1949, beliau yang lebih mesra dengan panggilan Cikgu Razali adalah seorang yang cukup prihatin dalam memastikan pendidikan menjadi tunjang dan keutamaan, baik ketika berkhidmat sebagai pendidik sehingga beliau terbabit secara langsung dalam politik pada 2004.


Memulakan pendidikan peringkat rendah di Hulu Terengganu beliau kemudian menyambung pelajaran di Sekolah Menengah Tengku Ampuan Intan, Kuala Berang dan Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman, Kuala Terengganu.


Razali seterusnya melanjutkan pengajian di Universiti Malaya dalam bidang Sejarah dan memperoleh ijazah Sarjana Muda Sastera dengan Kepujian pada 1973 dan pengajian Sarjana Pendidikan di University of Birmingham, United Kingdom pada tahun 1986 hingga 1987.


Selepas beberapa tahun menjadi pendidik, beliau kemudian menjadi pensyarah di beberapa maktab perguruan dan pernah dilantik sebagai Timbalan Pengetua Maktab Perguruan Kota Bharu dan seterusnya Pengetua Maktab Perguruan Pasir Panjang, Kuala Terengganu dan Pengetua Maktab Perguruan Batu Rakit, Kuala Terengganu.


Kesungguhan ditunjukkannya dalam memartabatkan bidang pendidikan khususnya di Terengganu seterusnya membolehkan beliau dinaikkan pangkat sebagai Pengarah Jabatan Pelajaran Terengganu pada 2001.


Kecemerlangan ditonjolkan beliau dalam mengemudi bidang pendidikan negeri cukup terserlah hingga Terengganu mampu muncul negeri yang mencatatkan keputusan paling cemerlang dalam Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) dan kekal sehingga hari ini.


Jawatan terakhir disandang beliau dalam kerajaan adalah sebagai Pengarah Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, Kementerian Pelajaran pada 2003 sebelum dicalonkan sebagai calon Barisan Nasional (BN) bagi Parlimen Kuala Terengganu pada Pilihan Raya Umum 2004 dan memenanginya dengan menewaskan calon Pas, Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi dengan majoriti 1,933 undi.


Beliau sekali lagi mengekalkan kemenangan di Parlimen Kuala Terengganu apabila dicalonkan dan mengalahkan calon Pas, Mohamad Sabu dengan majoriti 628 undi.


Pengalaman luas beliau sebagai warga pendidik dan sebagai pentadbir sektor pendidikan dengan memegang pelbagai jawatan memudahkan lagi tugasannya selepas dilantik sebagai Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran tahun ini.


Beliau yang pernah memegang jawatan Pengerusi, Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) sebelum menjawat jawatan Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran turut membawa banyak perubahan dalam mempastikan peminjam PTPTN membayar balik pinjaman bagi mempastikan kelangsungan dana untuk membantu pelajar lain supaya turut mendapat manfaat melalui tabung itu.


Selain cintanya dalam bidang pendidikan, beliau juga turut aktif dalam pelbagai aktiviti kemasyarakatan serta turut memegang jawatan dalam beberapa pertubuhan sukarela.


Beliau turut dianugerahkan beberapa darjah kebesaran dengan Darjah Paduka Mahkota (DPMT) pada 2004 yang membawa gelaran Datuk daripada Sultan Terengganu.


Razali meninggalkan seorang balu, To' Puan Nooraini Lob Yusoff dan lima anak yang semuanya lelaki iaitu Muhammad Nurazli, 30 yang juga Pengurus di Sime Darby Bhd; Asrul Shah, 27, bertugas sebagai Pegawai Tadbir Diplomatik; Khairul Amar, 23 , masih menuntut di Amerika Syarikat; Khairul Anwar, 21, menuntut di Universiti Industri Selangor dan yang bongsu, Khairul Arif, 15, pelajar di Sekolah Menengah Agama Persekutuan Kajang, Selangor.

:: Semoga Roh arwah dicucuri rahmat dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang beriman...InsyaAllah..Amin.. ::

Taken from: Berita Harian Online (28/11/2008)
http://www.bharian.com.my/Current_News/BH/Saturday/Nasional/20081128231930/Article/

Wednesday, 12 November 2008

~Sakaratul Maut~

Okay what happened with our society right now???... The issue was about "Sajak Kematian: Sakaratulmaut" being showed to Year 1 and 2 children in one school in Malaysia... The reason for the religious teacher to show them such video was just to make them aware of the importance to perform the 5 daily solat and to be a good muslim... weird ain't it??? some of the parents said that it is not suitable for these children.. Toward certain extent it might be true that it is not suitable for them. Reason? Just because it shows lots of frightening images of how Barzakh life going to be for those who commit a lot of sins... But it is the truth.. it is in the Quran... THAT IS THE REALITY... Personally for me, using this method is a good way for them to understand how Barzakh life going to be... Just a mere story telling session will not be sufficient for them to really understand it... They need the images so that they can relate to it. Kalau setakat dengar cerita masuk telinga kanan keluar telinga kiri lah...


So why some parents disagree with such good effort from the teacher?? Well from my few hours of YouTubing and reading MalaysiaKini and other internet sources... I can conclude over here that most of them feel that it is not suitable for such young minds as it will disturb them psychologically... Saying that their children having bad IMAGES in their mind... their behaviour changed... I wonder what kind of IMAGES that "her" (because there this one so called really CONCERNED MOTHER who make a report in TV3 Buletin Utama) child having and what kind of behaviour that changed??? If the child says that images of frightening Barzakh life... that will be great... As they will always remember about death... Mengingati mati itu mendekatkan kita kepada Tuhan... but this is onley a video of SAKARATULMAUT and parents have make a lot of fuss about it... but when the television stations and cinemas played lots of ghost, thriller, horror, full of blood, torture and etc... etc... they did not make any fuss on them.. I'm sure of it because our telly is full of it right??? Kekasih Ku Seru (which I really like hahahah), Anak Pontianak, Puaka Niyang Rapik and the list go on... I bet some of them just let their children watch it with them, sitting cosily in a couch screaming together when the ghost appear... Why they didn't bring it to the ministry??? Another weird thing right?

Okay the only problem was that the vid was shown to Year 1 and 2 children.. and the parents are just being overly concern about their children psychological development... Hey to tell you the truth... That video had existed a long time ago...during my primary schooling time I think or maybe older than that... and I think there are lots of children from my era that had watched it.... Exhibit A... Me myself...and I think my psychological development is just all right??? I haven't been turned into a psycho from just watching it during my primary years... To overcome the horrible imaginations and behaviour of the children (if it REALLLY..REALLY need help).. the parents just need to explain it to them.. yes that's it just explain..and I think InsyaAllah they will understand it...

I'm tired of thinking this small issue.. people can say what they want to say but I still think if we want to teach them.. it is better to start it from now.. when they are still young and when we are still able to "rotan" and give lecture to them when they become teenagers it will be hard to remind them about this... trust me.. "Melentur Buluh Biarlah dari Rebingnya"

This is a comment by an Ustaz and Motivation Expert huhu let us ponder together



So guys to cap all of this let us watch this video and remind ourself about the after life (Barzakh)... Semoga kita menjadi insan yang soleh dan beramal kerana Allah SWT... InsyaAllah...







p/s:
  1. TV3 pon sama salah kecoh2 kan isu nie.. herm saje jek lah tue nak naikkan rating penonton hehhehe:aduhai:
  2. Menteri Pendidikan kita pun cepatnya melatah... Keluarkan statement dengan selamber nya.. hai apa nak jadi nie....
  3. erm nak share satu comment dr YouTube huh mmg lawak gila lah ahahha :waa_waa:hahahhaha
    "video nih sesuai utk para menteri dan memang sungguh tidak sesuai untuk pelajar sebab pelajar2 terlibat dlm gejala sosial,bukannay terlibat dlm rasuah atau penyelewengan. patut lah pak2 menteri semuanya boikot video nih..video nih patut setiap hari ditayangankan sebelum parlimen bermula dan pada apa2 saja la mesyuarat yg melibatkan pak menteri..mmg sesuai dgn MENTERI2 di malaysia!!!!"


Tuesday, 4 November 2008

~To Be or Not to Be.. That is the Question

Read this one first ok...

Sunday November 2, 2008

Little voices that matter

By ALYCIA LIM, SIRA HABIBU AND C.S. NATHAN

Adults and the authorities should pause in the on-going debate about Maths and Sciench, and listen to what the pupils involved have to say.

SHOULD Science and Maths continue to be taught in English next year?

This whole year, we’ve heard from numerous parties regarding the above issue. But what about those actually going through the system? Has anyone asked what they have to say?

Not wanting to leave them out, StarEducation decided it was time we heard from the students themselves, and got their views on going through six years of primary school education with English as the medium of instruction for Science and Maths.

The students interviewed are the first batch to take those papers in that language, in the UPSR recently. And they had plenty to say about the matter.

From left : Chin Seng, Khen Hong, Shireen, Aina and Nasyiha.

Nasyiha Khairul Rizal, SJK (C) Soon Cheng Bukit Pinang, Kota Setar district

I feel trapped. I have not mastered both English and Mandarin. As I am in a Chinese-medium school, the questions are in English and Mandarin. When I do not understand certain terms, I do not have an option to double check in Malay.

I still have a lot to learn. But I am not giving up. I chose to study in a Chinese school so that I would not have problem communicating with people who do not understand English and Malay.

Kang Shireen, SJK (C) Soon Cheng Bukit Pinang

I do not have problems answering Mathematics and Science questions in English.

Law Khen Hong, SJK (C) Soon Cheng Bukit Pinang

I do not have problems understanding questions written in English. I think it is worth studying the subjects in English, as we would not face much problems when we enter university.

Onn Chin Seng, SJK (C) Soon Cheng Bukit Pinang

I do not have problems with English because I have done a lot of homework. Even if there was no Mandarin translation, I think I would have no problem answering the questions. To me, Bahasa Malaysia is the hardest subject.

Aina Athirah Shazali, SJK (C) Soon Cheng Bukit Pinang

I have difficulties understanding the lessons taught in English. I find it easier learning Maths and Science in Mandarin as the teachers are more fluent in that language. I had to go for rehabilitation classes because I usually got Cs for Mathematics and Science,’’ said Aina.

Celinne Teh

Celinne Teh Sze Ning, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Doing the subjects in English was not difficult because I understand the language better than Bahasa Malaysia. Schools should continue teaching Science and Maths in English because many students speak it in school. My teachers are generally good, but some are better than others.

Dania Ariffin Mohd Hussain, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (4)

The UPSR exams were quite easy because I studied a lot, especially for science. Doing the Maths and Science papers in English was not difficult because we have been learning them in that language since Standard One. They should definitely continue teaching Science and Maths in English, because it is an international language. I also have a few friends online and we chat in English.

From left: Shahmayatin, Sharlina, Sa’Adiah, Muhd Iqbal and Abdur Rahman.

Sharlina Kumari Suresh Kumar, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (2)

I think studying Maths and Science in English is easier than studying them in Bahasa Malaysia. Also, we have been learning the subjects in English since Standard One. So it is not weird (CHECK!) to study them in both languages.”

Sa’Adiah Muhd Diah, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (2)

Sometimes it is difficult learning those subjects in English because I don’t really understand everything. My parents do not know much English, and I have to go for tuition classes to get help. It would be good if they taught the subjects in Malay.

Shahmayatin Islamiah Samijo, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (2)

When I have problems with my school work I ask my teachers for help, or do my homework with friends. I don’t really ask my parents for help in Math and Science because they don’t speak English.

Muhd Iqbal Syazwan Yusuff, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (2)

I use English only when I am in class, but doing the UPSR exams in English for Maths and Science was okay because I’m used to studying those subjects in that language. Maybe students should learn them in both languages or be given a choice.

Abdur Rahman Rawi, SK Bandar Utama Damansara (2)

I found the Maths and Science papers in the UPSR exams a bit difficult as I did not understand some of the questions. During school days, my parents are able to help me with my homework, but not all the time. If I had a choice, I would choose to study the subjects in Bahasa Malaysia because it’s easier.

Goh Jia Ying

Goh Jia Ying, SRJK (C) Yuk Chai, Petaling Jaya, Selangor

I normal prefer studying in Mandarin because it is much easier to understand. But doing the subjects in English was not a problem because I speak both English and Mandarin at home. My mother is English-educated so I can ask for her help when I’m not sure about my homework. I also go for tuition for additional practice.

Chua Yean Yee, SRJK (C) Yuk Chai

The teachers are very good here and they teach us to be comfortable with the language. I didn’t face any problems in the UPSR exams or studying the subjects in English as it is my first language. But if I had a choice I would want to study them in Mandarin because that way, I’d get to improve on my Mandarin skills.

Gan Ming Ser, SRJK (C) Yuk Chai

Learning Science and Maths in English is good because if we don’t understand some parts in Mandarin, we can get them clarified in English. I don’t go for tuition so when I have problems with my school work, I ask my teachers and parents. They should continue teaching the subjects in English because I think the language is important for doing business, when we grow up.

Pang Zhenyi, SRJK Yuk Chai

There is no difference for me, whether I learn Maths and Science in English or Mandarin. I usually go to teachers and parents to get help, and I feel that it is important to know different languages. So I read books in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin.

Michelle Wong Shin Min, SJK (C) Keat Hwa (S), Kota Setar district, Kedah

We have to get used to the English terms as Mathematics and Science are also taught in English in secondary school. It is not difficult to understand the language when we get used to it.

Jeevamunissen Ramachandran, SRJK (T) Barathy, Kota Setar district

We are used to learning Mathematics and Science in English. It would be difficult for us if we have to answer the questions in Malay. Even if there were no translations in Tamil, I think I would have no problem answering the examination questions.

Sasitharen Narayanasamy, SRJK (T) Barathy

I have no problem answering Mathematic and Science in English. After six years, we are used to it.

Muhammad Irfan Najeeb, SK Raja Uda, Johor Baru

We would feel that we have wasted six years learning Mathematics and Science in English if the authorities decide to change the medium of teaching. My friends and I have been trying hard to familiarise ourselves with the English terms. Luckily the examination questions are printed in two languages. When we do not understand certain English terms, we refer to the questions written in Malay.

G. Pravin Kumar

G. Pravin Kumar, SK St Paul, Seremban

I feel Mathematics and Science should continue to be taught in English in schools. I never had problems with both subjects as my teachers were well-versed in teaching in English. It was fun and my grasp of the language has improved.

I attended tuition classes for both subjects as I wanted to do well in my UPSR exams. Most of my friends did not encounter much problems learning both subjects in English. Although I did not get to study both subjects in Bahasa Malaysia, I am happy to be among the first batch of students to do so in English.

Darshini Sylvia Fernandez, SK Taman Rasah Jaya, Seremban

I never had any problems studying Maths and Science in English. I helped myself by looking up scientific terms in books and by watching educational programmes on television. I also attended tuition classes.

Our teachers did their best to teach us although they were doing so for the first time. I hope the authorities will allow the present system to continue as we can get more reference material on both subjects in English.


Taken from: TheStar Online 4 November 2008 - http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2008/11/2/education/2429911&sec=education


The debate of ETeMS in Malaysia has been a tedious and lengthy debate in our education system... Every people (adult most of the time) have their own opinion. When I read this article it struck me.. yes we adult always think that we know what is best for our children. We never put their thought into count. It is time actually for us to listen to them and not deprave them from their learning and interest. Yes from the article I can conclude that most of the children love to learn Maths and Science in English.. but there is a glitch there. Why do I say so? Because the reporter only interviewed children from urban area.. not from rural area.. Damansara, Seremban, Kota Star, Petaling Jaya, Johor Baru... where are the children from Hulu Terengganu, Tanah Merah, and my own village.. Kampung Api-Api??? They did not count them... I'm an English teacher but I do feel that learning Maths and Science in Malay is much better.. but it is hard to justify myself... All in all I would like to say that this article did not represent all the children in Malaysia.. we have to ask all of them from all kinds of backgrounds...but this is also a good effort in listening to our children..

Friday, 17 October 2008

:: The Tale of Two Gutsy Girls ::

Teacher kicked, slapped by two Form 2 girls
By : Ahmad Fairuz Othman


The incident between Azhana Ibrahim and two students of Sekolah Menengah Perlis was recorded on a handphone belonging to another student.
The incident between Azhana Ibrahim and two students of Sekolah Menengah Perlis was recorded on a handphone belonging to another student.

KANGAR: A 27-year-old teacher was allegedly kicked in her belly by a student in class yesterday.


Azhana Ibrahim says she wasn’t hurt but was traumatised
Azhana Ibrahim says she wasn’t hurt but was traumatised
Physics teacher Azhana Ibrahim was assaulted after being involved in an argument with two Form Two students at 10am.

The argument was over a crude word which one of the students had written in a class project report.

The teacher sought an explanation from the students, both 14, which ended in a shouting match.

Azhana and the two students also traded slaps in the incident at Sekolah Menengah Perlis here.
District police chief Superintendent Yusof Mohd Diah said the teacher was kicked in the belly about two to three times during the incident.

"The teacher had advised the students about something that was written in a report which they submitted."

Azhana had no physical injuries, but she was traumatised.

She was accompanied by two other teachers when she lodged a report at the Kangar district police station.

The teacher had taught in Johor for five years before being transferred to Perlis in January.

The case comes in the wake of several disciplinary cases which occurred at the same school since last year.

There was also a case of lewd behaviour last year involving two students.

Just three days before, the school's principal was given a warning by the education authorities concerning a complaint lodged by a group of parents.

Parents of eight Muslim students, who were part of the school's brass band, claimed the school had directed their children to participate in a religious festival organised by a Taoist temple here.

This prompted the state Education Department to issue a warning to the principal, asking him to be more sensitive of the pupils' religious differences.

Meanwhile, a teacher who accompanied Azhana to the police station said the latter was traumatised.

"She was shaken when she came into the teachers' room for help. We then drove her to the police station."

The teacher, who declined to be named, said other students were called in to gang up on the teacher during the incident.

Azhana had apparently asked the two students to submit their physics folio assignment several times, but to no avail.

When the students did submit their reports, they had written gila babi (crazy swine) which was aimed at Azhana.

It is learnt that the words were written at the back cover of the report.

Azhana then questioned the students in front of a Form One class yesterday morning. A fight broke out after the teacher tried to advise the students and the incident was recorded on a student's handphone.

When contacted, state Education Department director Mansor Lat said a full report would be sought from the school.


Taken from: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2377504/Article/index_html (The New Straits Times On-line, 17/10/2008)



n.b. Wargh!!!!!!!! That was my first impression when I read this article... I can't believe my eyes when I read this... Isk.. what happened to our "pemudi" nowadays huhuh scary though.. they are only 14.... not 41 but they acted as if they were bigger and older than the teacher... I thought my generation of students are already bad... but this has put BAD to another level huhuh scary..scary..scary... Adakah budak-budak tersebut ahli martial art?? Hisk kicked and slapped the teacher... amboi... what's wrong with them herm?? There must be something wrong.. did the teacher provoked them?? Maybe the authorities should investigate furthere... Herm... but overall I'm not saying that the girls have the right to do such thing to the teacher... just that we can't hear from one side only... yeah that's right... Even killers have their rights... herm kalau aku kena sepak dengan anak murid apa akan aku buat agaknya??? Sepak balik kot hahahhahaha no lah.. I myself don't know what will I do.. huhuh :P

Monday, 13 October 2008

~How lucky we are~

Kids at work

By TRIPTI LAHIRI

THE cream and orange cafe with scalloped windows on India’s National Highway 31 dubs itself the “Compleat Family Hotel”.

But the only children inside were small boys hard at work, clearing away the plates.

“I ran away from school because the teacher used to beat me,” said spindly-legged Mukesh Kumar, 12, speaking softly as he wiped a table, gesturing to a welt on his foot.

Raju, 11, wiping a bench at a roadside stall. – AFP

Kumar said he had been working full-time for three months, even though he is two years below the minimum age for employees in homes, hotels and restaurants, as set by a key 2006 amendment to India’s child labour laws.

He lives in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states. Millions of children across the country also endure the hard grind of working life, often labouring as many as 12 hours a day for paltry wages.

India, since passing a 1986 law that banned those under 14 years of age from working in hazardous industries such as fireworks manufacture, has slowly strengthened legislation against child labour.

The 2006 amendment €” passed two years ago this month €” criminalised many hidden aspects of the problem and was hailed as a major breakthrough.

But activists say the new laws have made little progress in ending a practice rooted in India’s dire poverty.

“It is all about international image building,” said Kailash Satyarthi, a prominent advocate against child labour, who accuses the government of lacking the political will to enforce the law.

”When there is pressure from other countries, you can just show them that you have this good law.”

Like Raju Prasad, millions of children across India endure the hard grind of working life. – AFP

Indian officials say approximately half a million children have been removed from work and sent back to their villages or special boarding schools over the last decade.

But the government cannot say whether the number of children rescued outpaces the number of new children sent to work.

In fact, no one can agree on how many children are employed illegally.

The last census, in 2001, put the number of child workers at 12.6 million, while a major household health survey released two years ago and cited by the United Nations, estimated it was closer to 30 million.

But Satyarthi puts the real number today as high as 60 million.

Child welfare advocates also fear that many of those saved from child labour soon return to work.

“Reintegration of these children back into mainstream society remains a challenge,” said Simrit Kaur, a Unicef child protection specialist.

“Children are removed from exploitative situations but without a clear rehabilitation mechanism, at times, they fall back to probably worse situations.”

Government labour officials say they are improving on the information used to tackle child labour.

“We want to know the actual numbers so we can target those children in a more effective manner,” said Shree Ram Joshi, an Indian labour official who expects a clearer picture to emerge from a major new survey next year.

Government authorities and activists agree that the best way to fight child labour is to improve education and family earnings €” though a few quick-fixes exist.

In the meantime, children often say they must work because they learn nothing at school and are sometimes ill-treated at home.

“My parents were not good.

“My mother used to beat me,” said Abhishek, a small round-faced boy who looked about 10, working as a delivery boy at a food stall in the heart of New Delhi.

He left his home, bordering Uttar Pradesh state, three months ago and now sleeps at the stall where he found work for 800 rupees (RM59) a month.

”This is the right thing for me now,” he said, insisting he was 14.

Years later, many child workers like Abhishek would resent their childhood spent at work.

Chitranjan Kumar Varma, 28, ran away from his teacher’s beatings and his parents, who wanted him to stay at school, to learn how to drive. Fifteen years later he earns the equivalent of about US$150 (RM523) a month.

“Now I feel bad I didn’t study. Now I understand what studying can bring you,” said Varma.

“I would have gone ahead in life. Now I can’t do anything but be a driver.” €” AFP

Taken from: http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2008/10/12/education/2199244&sec=education (The Star On-line, 12th October 2008)


n.b: Reading this article make me realise how lucky we are in Malaysia..

Wednesday, 6 August 2008

If He Can...Then I Can...

Some people don't value education... well some people do value it.. Just like the uncle in the story below...although it is in Malay.. but I know that my fellow Malaysian readers can understand it right??PhotobucketSo read up hehehe..

Pengawal keselamatan usia 55 tahun lulus sarjana

KUALA LUMPUR 5 Ogos – Semangat tinggi dan sikap tidak mudah berputus asa membuahkan kejayaan kepada seorang pengawal keselamatan berusia 55 tahun apabila beliau memperoleh ijazah sarjana daripada Universiti Malaya (UM) hari ini.

Biarpun mengalami pelbagai rintangan sepanjang enam tahun tempoh pengajian dalam bidang sejarah, pengawal keselamatan berkenaan, Lim Kim Peu (gambar), akhirnya berjaya menamatkan pengajiannya.

Pagi ini, Kim Peu menerima ijazah tersebut daripada Pro-Canselor UM, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah pada majlis konvokesyen universiti itu di sini.

Kim Peu yang masih bujang mula mengikuti program pengajian jarak jauh ijazah sarjana di UM pada 2002 dan sepanjang tempoh itu beliau bekerja sebagai pengawal keselamatan di Melaka.

Kim Peu memberitahu Utusan Malaysia, dengan pendapatan RM500 sebulan, beliau terpaksa menggunakan sebahagian besar wang gajinya untuk membiayai kos pengajian di UM.

“Wang memang merupakan satu masalah. Saya menghabiskan sebahagian besar daripada gaji saya untuk membayar yuran, tetapi itu pun tidak mencukupi.

“Nasib baik pihak universiti bertimbang rasa dan membenarkan saya membayar yuran secara ansuran,” katanya.

Pengorbanan Kim Peu itu berbaloi apabila baru-baru ini beliau berjaya mendapat pekerjaan sebagai jurulatih Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) di Melaka selepas lulus pengajian peringkat sarjana.

Lelaki yang berasal daripada keluarga buruh kasar di Merlimau, Melaka itu hanya menamatkan pelajarannya sehingga darjah enam. Pada 1971, beliau bekerja sebagai tukang sapu pada usia 18 tahun.

“Kerja sebagai tukang sapu memang susah dan kotor. Ramai orang menghina dan memandang rendah terhadap saya kerana pekerjaan itu.

“Keadaan itulah yang mendorong saya untuk melanjutkan pelajaran,” katanya.

Dengan belajar sendiri, Kim Peu berjaya menamatkan pelajaran sehingga ke tingkatan enam di sekolah swasta sebelum ditawarkan mengikuti kursus Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sains Sosial di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) pada 1980.

Pengajian Kim Peu di USM dihabiskan dalam tempoh lapan tahun dan beliau merupakan pelajar yang mengambil masa paling lama untuk menamatkan pengajiannya.

“Pada 1980, saya masih seorang tukang sapu. Banyak masalah dihadapi. Gaji saya ketika itu cuma RM130 dan saya terpaksa menyara keluarga.

“Bagaimanapun, dengan semangat tinggi, saya tidak pernah terfikir untuk berhenti belajar dan akhirnya saya berjaya juga menamatkan pengajian walaupun mengambil masa selama lapan tahun,” katanya.

Menurut Kim Peu, sepanjang tempoh pengajiannya dari dulu hingga kini, beliau tidak pernah makan atau minum di luar.

“Saya terpaksa menjimatkan wang. Makanan segera seperti ayam KFC, McDonald’s atau minuman Coca-Cola tidak pernah saya jamah kerana wang perlu disimpan untuk meneruskan pelajaran,” ujarnya.

Demi mengubah nasibnya, Kim Peu memilih untuk meneruskan pelajaran selepas beberapa tahun lulus ijazah pertama di USM. Beliau kemudian diterima untuk mengikuti kursus sarjana pengajian sejarah di UM.



Well that uncle do value education... I hope that I will have the spirit just like him... I want to further my study..not only just a Degree holder.. maybe PHD...if Allah permits...InsyaAllah.. But my true passion is to become an educator.. a teacher.. teaching in a school..be among kids.. inspire them to learn.. to be a good citizen.. to excel not only in life... Hope that I can achieve that.. Amin....

Taken from:
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0806&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Dalam_Negeri&pg=dn_01.htm