Why does school have to be like this?
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Public Schooling on 17 Apr 2009.
In the new issue of OFF THE EDGE (Apr 09 #52), Patrick Teoh tells of waking up at 5.57am to prepare his 8-year daughter for school. Driving along the MRR2, the doting father is asked by her sleepy daughter: “Why does school have to be like this?”
Oh-oh, the poor girl has got her dad started: “…it is because of our education system and that if we were living in another country with a mature and properly managed education system, it would be different…”
Patrick is railing again (like the rest of us dissatisfied taxpayers), and he knows that a short drive won’t be enough time to explain what ‘education’ is, or what a ‘mature and properly managed education system’ looks like. Much less to a little girl whose future is rather unfairly determined by the whims of politicians with questionable intelligence. This unhappy state of affairs isn’t about to be changed any time soon and Patrick rightly laments there is “nothing positive” to say about Malaysia’s education system.
Well, I know the feeling. In a sense, I’m glad we’re way beyond this troubling scenario now that our own boys are 19 and 17.
But, what goes on in the minds of parents faced with the heart-breaking prospect of leaving their school-going kids in the talons of Malaysia’s education system? I imagine any of the following 10 responses, or a combination of all, perhaps?
1. Schools in Malaysia are okay. After all aren’t we adults products of Malaysian education and we’re okay?
2. Schools in Malaysia become better with parents’ involvement. If I want change, my kids will have to be a part of it and I’ll help change it from inside. Like joining the PTA.
3. Education in Malaysia sucks, but some schools are better than others. I can pull strings, get my kids transferred to better schools.
4. Don’t register your kid with government schools. Luckily there are private schools (or Chinese-language schools, residential schools, international schools, etc).
5. Malaysian schools are bad but it’s all we have. So my child will have to bite the bullet and chalk up this nasty but necessary phase as part of life experiences and good for character building.
6. Anyway, it’s not all about schooling, but parenting. Statistics show that where home is secure and loving, and where parents are involved in their kids’ education and schools, their children grew up well-adjusted. So we’ll be okay.
7. Look, this is our lot. You don’t like this country, just leave. It’s our fate and we just have to live with it and make the most of it. Schooling isn’t the only thing in life what. God will take care of everything.
8. The future is overseas! If there is no future in Malaysian education, I’ll move to NZ or Australia for my children’s sake.
9. If we love our country, we must subject our children to national schools. For the sake of national unity – It’s the only way to be united as one people with one common language and aspiration.
10. Who says our schools are bad? We are not Zimbabwe. Anyway, the Government is rolling out reforms already, like teaching Science and Math in English.
My own response is simple. If the schoolbus is taking you places you’d rather not go, or if it keeps breaking down, get off.
3 Comments so far...
Jessica Says:
19 April 2009 at 10:06 am.
I think Patrick Teoh ALREADY made a choice in his childrens’ education like all Malaysian parents who send their kids to traditional schools. Let’s not play helpless victim here, our Patrick does have a choice!! Instead of whinning and complaning, how about deciding once and for all, A CHOICE that he can live with and be proud of. So what if he sends his kids to a national school, which he thinks is inferior to a western school (or Singapore school)? A truly driven kid will excel in life regardless of which school he comes from. Does homeschool promise a rose garden? Definately not. Does International School guarantee your kids an eternal success and endless doses of self-esteem and confidence? You bet not.
Azlea Says:
20 April 2009 at 12:34 am.
Hi David,
I just want to say thank you for blogging, I’ve been reading your entries and it really, really boosts my spirits up to know that someone in Malaysia has already homeschooled their children through high school and made it. I’m glad that despite the fact that you no longer have to worry bout it, you’re still concerned about Malaysia’s current education system. Keep the entries coming and congratulations on homeschooling your child. I pray I have the strength that you obviously have.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
20 April 2009 at 3:48 pm.
Jessica:
Yes, people like Patrick has indeed made their choice. I do wonder however if he were better informed about an option such as homeschool, would he consider its merits and switch? I do know of parents who want options – anything within their means – but not homeschool.
Azlea:
Thanks for visiting. You should know that there are a number of Malaysian homeschooling families whose kids have indeed gone on to college. Our two boys are almost there (they’re 19 and 17) and that’s why I said anxieties about schools, options, etc are behind us. We made the decision to homeschool all those years ago and our boys never spent a day in a conventional school. I just know you will do well yourself – just take a day at a time 
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