Education Reform and 21st Century Learning

An abridged version titled "A move in the right direction" was published in Educate, Sunday Star 16 December 2018

Education Reform and 21^st Century Learning

I refer to the cover story “Towards 21^st Century Learning” of Star Educate on 4 November 2018. As a curriculum and instruction specialist who has strived to keep abreast of changes and advances in the education arena over the years, I must say this is a move in the right direction. The pilot project Genosis does sound promising, judging by the list of learner attributes which reflect the desirable learning outcomes.  

However, as the cliché goes, the devil is really in the details. As rightly pointed out, the success of such a project, if it eventually goes nationwide, will hinge on a well-planned and implemented teacher education and accreditation programs, both pre- and in-service. How this can be achieved will require a lot of resolves and efforts on the part of all stakeholders. For starters, we can only hope that the soon-to-be- rolled-out pilot project involves a truly representative sample of our public schools attended by both the haves and have-nots in our huge student communities. With this, perhaps rigorous evaluation -- both formative and summative -- will produce the necessary findings to guide and ensure the scalability and adaptability, as well as long-term sustainability of this project nationwide.

The main concern of many stakeholders right now is how will the implementation of Genosis fit into the larger picture of education reform. As a proponent of cooperative learning since the 1990s, I can only say I am glad to see that Genosis is emphasizing on many learner attributes that can be cultivated through this learner-centered approach that I have tried to promote over the last many years. To this end, and to facilitate school-based education programs for teachers, especially those in service, I have co-authored a book “Learning cooperative learning via cooperative learning”, first published in the US; then followed by a BM version here in Malaysia, and later a Chinese version in China. Packaged with the BM version is an interactive courseware for environmental education that creates awareness in environmental issues, reinforces cooperative learning skills, and promotes higher order thinking among students. Perhaps this courseware, which was distributed to all secondary schools in Malaysia -- with the sponsorship of Hewlett Packard -- can now serve as some kind of prototype for the development of more of such learning material to help achieve the learning outcomes as outlined by Genosis. Project-based learning advocated by Genosis is fine, and in fact, together with inquiry learning, it has purportedly been widely used in schools in Malaysia over the years. Unfortunately, without a proper group structure such as that of cooperative learning, its impact on learning outcomes has remained somewhat unclear.      

In conclusion -- and to cut a long story short – the Genosis project, like the e-textbook initiative, must be planned and implemented as an integral part of the larger framework of the education reform we are all looking forward so much to, with bated breath. As it is, without knowing enough details, teachers are already whining and moaning about the prospect of having to do more report-writing and daily data entry, using yet another platform or learning management system.

Dr Gan Siowck Lee

PiL Project in Malaysia: Conclusion

                                                         AN APPEAL TO THE PM TO REVISE THE NEP

by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam

Chairperson Asli Center of Public Policy Studies

June 27th , 2018 

Most Malaysians , especially the Bumiputras, will welcome the statement made by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad , in the Channel NewsAsia  interview recently that the  - `Affirmative Action is still needed to bridge the gap and avoid  conflict between Bumiputras and other races`.

This has  been the  policy adopted  in our  socio economic planning and implementation since the New Economic Policy was introduced in 1970 .

However , the socio economic scenario  has improved considerably over time . The Affirmative Action has  significantly reduced the risks of conflicts that can be caused by socio economic and wealth  disparities .Today the gaps between the Bumis and Chinese and many  others  have  been largely narrowed . 

The greater challenge now is the growing gap in incomes and standards of  living  and the quality of life of the rich and poor  Malaysians of all races between and also within   ethnic groups . There are very poor Malays, Chinese , Indians and other Minority Groups all over Malaysia  ! Its more  a national issue and not confined to any racial group as such !

Appeal to PM

Thus many Malaysians , regardless of race , l therefore Appeal to the Prime Minister and his able Cabinet and wise the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) ,  to review and revise the NEP , to adopt and adapt to  the new socio economic and political realities   , after their most impressive  and welcome electoral GE 14 victory !

Currently , the economic  disparities or socio economic gaps ,  are  based  more on income disparities, rather than race differences . Since we are  blessed with a New Government after 61 years of the same Government , this  is the New Malaysia Era  (Malaysia  Era Baru ) . Therefore  we will need to express the  vast  political tsunami, and sea change in more practical socioeconomic terms for a better future . 

Hence , the New Government  will need to adopt more socio economic policies that are  income based and  related to fulfilling the basic needs and human rights of all Malaysians . our new policies need to be founded on our  sincere conscience and religious values of fairness and fraternity , for all Malaysians .

We can no longer afford to be exclusive , but have to be inclusive  in all our policies and implementation , for all Malaysians  and not only to some exclusive  groups to benefit  from our future national development . We have now to be much more Inclusive in all our policies and practices or we will revert to past policies and practices which were rejected by the voters ! 

New Malaysia Economic Policy (NMEP)

Indeed the New Government  in the New Malaysia,   could  devise and introduce a New Malaysia Economic Policy (NMEP)  that   will contribute to more genuine and sustainable  national unity.  The previous NEP had unfortunately  and regretfully caused much national division , disparities and disunity  , not only  between our races, but also within the Bumiputra/ Malay  and other Racial  and Minority groups , all over the country .

While we would follow the advice of the Prime Minister to accept that  Affirmative Action is still needed in Malaysia   , we  fervently hope  that our new Government will now  ensure  ,more than ever before , that all Malaysians , regardless of Race , who deserve  Affirmative Action  treatment , will enjoy  the new Affirmative Action . This New Affirmative Action should   be meant  for all deserving Malaysians , based on Basic Needs and not Race. Most Malays /Bumis would also gain by this Needs Based Affirmative Action Policy , while the  poor  Non Malays would also benefit  from the new and revised  NEP  !!.

This New Malaysia Economic Policy  is essential , in order  to promote greater national unity  and a more peaceful , prosperous , progressive and Happier New Malaysia (Malaysia Baru ) 

We pray that the Almighty , will Bless and Guide the New Government Leaders , to be Fair to all Malaysians and especially all the poor and underprivileged Malaysians .