Economist on Graduates Earnings

Economist: "In America the lifetime gross earnings of male graduates are, on average, nearly $370,000 higher than those of non-graduates, comfortably repaying the pricey investment in a university education (female graduates earn an extra $229,000)."

Our Education System

Much have been said about the state of education in this country, likewise everywhere in the world. Education, besides the economy, are the two most essential ingredients for growth.

Our country remains the most unique state in the world with 5 education systems fighting tooth and nail for federal funds. The recent propensity of uniting the differing platforms have been severely opposed by many quarters on the basis of conserving "culture". The policy of enhancing our kids' fluency in Math and Science via English medium has also met with equal if not more opposition.

Theoretically, market would dictate that the best teachers would veer to the best paid institutions. Naturally, private schools are becoming increasingly popular especially among young, urban parents. The chinese are also known to save every penny necessary to put their kids through private system, regardless of job functions and affordability. The chinese public schools are also known to have massive external donations. This is unlike the sekolah kebangsaan system. That says enough about the merits of sending our kids to the public domain.

Although the US could boasts of their Ivy League schools and cutting-edge universities in research, faculty strength and ties with corporations, the public school system requires massive overhaul. This is acknowledged by all. The degradation of mathematical capabilities of high school students, for example, has reached worrying state. The US is not resting on their laurels. We should not either.

Putting a cap on SPM subjects is a good start. The quality of teachers must also be addressed, regardless of whether political mileage might be affected. Ideally, the nation must reach a unified education system eventually. Reaching that stage would already be a giant step for this small country.

US experiments high salary for teachers
Obama on overhauling US education
Catching up in college

Streamlined Education System

Update 1 (18/12): Chinese whiz kid mastered English

I'm trying to rationalize why there isn't much support for Dato' Mukhriz' proposal to streamline our fragmented educations system. The obvious answer one might put forward is the coming UMNO election. One may rationalize that the others won't follow suit in fear of Mukhriz scoring more points in his bid for the highest helm in UMNO Youth. The other plausible reason is that the Malays are not supportive of the notion. If the former is the reason, then shame on you UMNO leaders for not defending your brethren.

If the reason is the latter, why does it hurt to have a unified education system? Every other developed nation has a unified education system. Is it damaging to have all kids of different races and background receive a uniformed curriculum? Doesn't it enhance integration, racial toleration and in line with the opposition's mantra of 'Malaysia for Malaysians'? Why is it opposed from all quarters and labeled as seditious just talking about it?

Instead of firing verbal projectiles at Mukhriz, I'm interested to hear substantial arguments from Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Samy Vellu and others as to why it is damaging to have this proposal in place? Let's have an educated forum to discuss the pros and cons. I'm sure they'll throw a curve ball and have the New Economic Policy and Malay Special Rights as excuses to have vernacular schools. If we are going to slowly diminish the NEP as the Malays become more competitive, surely we have to slowly integrate all these systems into one. The Sekolah Wawasan concept might do the trick as an introductory or transitional phase to full integration. Or is the funds really the hurdle to integrate the schools?

If we observe multinationals and companies with majority chinese population, the language of choice at work seems to be Mandarin than the national language or English. The multiplier effect comes into play is when job vacancies are advertised with preference of Mandarin language ability.

The Chinese and Indians who are exposed to sekolah kebangsaan system are usually of different cut of cloth. Because of their extended interaction with other races, they tend to communicate more in the national language or English. The ones who are less exposed to other races normally have poor command of the national language or English, only profound in their own mother tongue. Let's not even talk about writing skills. In addition, those who go to sekolah kebangsaan system are looked down by their peers who went to vernacular schools, giving the ones from vernacular system a false position that they are 'more chinese' or 'more indian'. Isn't the goal to be more Malaysian? Does it mean the Chinese and Indians from Sekolah Kebangsaan do not have a strong command in Mandarin or Tamil?

This is not to target just the Chinese and Indians. It also applies to the Malays who are not exposed to interaction with other races. It becomes apparent especially when they are overseas when they cling on to each other, have poor communication skills especially with foreigners and come home with the same language skill level.

The fragmented education system have forced parents with the monetary means to choose private schools for their children. The medium of language is English and the kids are taught extra curriculum involving the arts and science. Because of the better salary that teachers are being offered in the private system, the schools will attract the best teachers naturally. What of the parents with little means to choose private schools?

If we integrate the system, I believe resources can be allocated and shared more efficiently. The additional funds saved from integration could be channeled to training up our teachers and increasing their pay. The command of our NATIONAL LANGUAGE and English as the second language of choice will soar to greater heights (nothing wrong with being fluent in the mother tongue also). Above all, the school will continue to foster unity and tolerance so that in 20 years, they won't be shouting at Parliament at one another for being racist.

Streamlined Education, why are we so divided?

Demi negara

Update 2: 3/12/08 Storm over vernacular school statement

Update 1: 2/12/08 Dato' Mukhriz proposing a streamlined education

I've always been a strong advocate of a streamlined education system. We indirectly promote segregation by sending our kids to vernacular schools. The Chinese has always been protective of their school systems, refusing to assimilate with the others, yet at the same time demand equal rights as Malaysians.

Tun Dr Mahathir mentioned this yesterday at a seminar at the Perdana Leadership Foundation. Judging from the consistent size of audience he normally attracts, it is obvious that people still seek judgment and wisdom from the Grandmaster.

For OP President and the OPA, this is the best time to promote the Royal Military College which emphasizes co-operation and unity. All are treated equal and trained as one unit. If one makes a mistake, it will be a price everyone pays. There is a lot of respect for each other, regardless of race or religion or family background (sometimes sons of General's get away with things). National service is not too bad but if racial polarization has been indirectly nurtured in our fragmented education system, teaching these kids about unity and racial tolerance at age 17 won't undo the damage. I strongly support a one-education system. Of course, a sudden change in the education system would invite huge protests. It has to be done in stages.

This would also augur more competition at schools. The average Malay students could emulate the bright Chinese students and study together. The english language could be practiced more by the Malays who are not so fluent in it and practice with their chinese and indian friends. There should be an english-speaking day at school. PPSMI (Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran Sains Dan Matematik) can be better implemented if the students get to practice more with their chinese and indian friends. I think the Malays speak more Malay when they are in the company of other Malays. It is the same with the Chinese. Somehow, we automatically tune ourselves to the English language when talking to our chinese or indian brethrens. At the very least, we change our tune to 'Mangelish'.

Of course, by merging all the schools, there would no longer be additional funds for the chinese and the indian community. Their community and political leaders must accept this if they respect racial tolerance as a virtue.

See my earlier notes on streamlined-education system.

Extensive work ahead
Tolerance is the path to unity
Efficiency in allocating resources
Only UMNO has the weight to change