EDUCATION POLICY: WELL SAID TUANKU RAJA NAZRIN

'Learn from PPSMI flaws': Avoid poor execution of education policies
2010/07/02
By Jaspal Singh
jaspal@nst.com.myShare | IPOH: The review of education policies and formulation of new policies must be carried out thoroughly to avoid mid-stream failures in their implementation, cautions the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Drawing attention to the recently-announced review of the Ujian Pencapaian
Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR), he urged policymakers
to be careful in their deliberations to avoid the pitfalls of failed planning and implementation.


Citing as an example the government’s proposal on the Teaching of Mathematics
and Science in English or PPSMI, he said: “That was a policy in the right direction. But, the good intention behind the policy was hampered by incorrect methodology applied and ill-preparedness. This resulted in disagreements which boiled over into opposition to the policy.


“Ultimately, the good intention was not well-received, met with failure and had
to be aborted. The failure to implement (PPSMI) should serve as a valuable lesson for policy formulators and implementors,” he said in his speech at the opening of the RM10 million SK Pakatan Jaya near here, yesterday.


The Raja Muda said the failure of the PPSMI was due to inexperienced educators
who lacked proficiency and mastery (of the language) to carry out the policy.

Such weaknesses, coupled with the educators' own rigid and regimented teaching methods, would continue to impede any well-intentioned education policies, he added.


"Therefore, the present move to study the policy on evaluation of students (based on UPSR and PMR examinations) must be carried out thoroughly and implemented gradually and systematically."

Raja Nazrin said this was important to prevent students and parents from becoming victims of half-baked planning and poor execution, pointing out that the ones who often became casualties of failed policies were low-income earners who had put their hopes on the government to educate their children for a better future.

"That is why it is necessary for all stakeholders to carry out in-depth deliberations on this matter.

"Learn from past mistakes and do not repeat them in future planning and implementation."

Expressing support for the move to review the current policy on student evaluation, he said he appreciated the intention of the formulators to produce a new generation of young Malaysians who were more innovative and creative.

"This would allow the development of lateral thinking and placing of greater focus on varying interests, potential and abilities of our youngsters.

"This is the correct approach for schools must be a place where every student is able to develop wholesomely. We all must assist in bringing out the best in them."

Also present were Raja Nazrin's consort Raja Puan Besar Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Di-Hilir Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and wife Raja Puan Muda Raja Nor Mahani Raja Shahar Shah, deputy director-general (professional development) Datuk Asariah Mior Shaharuddin and state education committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid.

Asariah represented Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin while Zahir, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. NST 2 JULY 2010

Comments: Well said, Tuanku Raja Nazrin. The minister and his men should heed you advise. the future of our nation, especially the Malays, lies in our sound education policy. Tan Sri Muhyiddin, I hope, you have the best chance of doing something good for he country for there goes the future of our anak-anak bangsa. walk the talk, p;ease, please and please!