M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
Malaysia will be a failed nation. It is long overdue for practical reforms in the education system without racial or religious bias.
Many concerned Malaysians have expressed openly that the Malaysian education system is being developed on racial, religious and outdated methodologies of teaching.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. From the poorest of countries to the richest of nations, education is the key to moving forward in any society. Education is the great engine of personal development. Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face. No country can develop unless its citizens are educated,” said former South African president Nelson Mandela.
A concerned Malaysian, Gopala Krishnan, who spent 40 years in the Banking industry and retired as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of a leading bank’s Treasury and Investment Banking, expressed his concern about Malaysian education going south and failing to meet basic standards.
In 2018, an academic wrote about race and religion in the Malaysian education system. It is nothing new and has existed for a while.
He is concerned about the steady decline in Education standards over the past few years. “Many industries have raised the issue of finding people with the right skills in a fast-changing world. Rapid developments in the Internet age, the advent of AI, Data management, and machine learning resulted in fulfilling the urgent need for highly skilled personnel.”
Rather than taking stop-gap or temporary measures, he believes that the time has come for more holistic education system reforms so that Malaysia can be competitive globally.
“If these reforms are implemented with sincere commitment, hopefully, results will be seen in the next couple of decades. Therefore, there is a good chance of improving the education system on par with developed nations.”
Gopala’s ten proposed educational reforms for the Government to study and implement.
1. Education Reform
Undertake a detailed study to update curriculum, teaching methodologies, and assessment practices to ensure relevance and effectiveness in meeting the needs of a rapidly changing world. Bring in global expertise for this study.
2. Curriculum Enhancement
Keep pace with global trends and demands. This includes incorporating new subjects such as coding, robotics, critical thinking, problem-solving, AI, and technology.
3. Investment in Teacher Training and Development
Strong emphasis must be placed on teacher’s professional development. An educational training programme, mentorship opportunities, and collaboration with international education experts must be provided to ensure that teachers are equipped with the latest skills and subject knowledge.
4. Promotion of STEM education
Greater focus on promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to prepare students for careers in fields that are essential for the country’s economic development.
5. Promotion of LIFE-LONG LEARNING
Promote a culture of lifelong learning among its citizens, encouraging individuals to upgrade their skills and knowledge throughout their lives continuously. This can be facilitated through initiatives such as providing subsidies and incentives for individuals to pursue further education and training.
6. Higher Education Reform
More extraordinary efforts should be made to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education institutions by fostering partnerships with leading international universities, promoting research and innovation and expanding scholarship programmes for bright students to study abroad based on academic performance. Enhance the global competitiveness of Malaysian Universities.
7. Focus on Holistic Education
Emphasise holistic education, aiming to develop students academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. Character and citizenship education must be integrated into the curriculum to nurture students into responsible and compassionate individuals.
8. Digital Transformation
Embracing digital technology in education must be a priority, along with initiatives to integrate technology into teaching and learning processes, develop e-learning platforms, and provide students and educators with access to digital resources and tools. Use digital learning platforms, online resources and interactive multimedia tools for personalised learning experiences.
9. Parental and Community Involvement
The Government must actively engage parents and the community in the education process, recognising the importance of their support and involvement in student learning. Initiatives such as parent-teacher associations and other community outreach programmes must be introduced and strengthened to strengthen the partnership between schools, families, and the community.
10. Focus on Equity and Inclusivity
The Government must ensure that every student has access to quality education, regardless of background or abilities. Specialised support programmes and resources must be provided to students with diverse learning needs to ensure that they have the necessary assistance to succeed. The person with the right skills, qualifications, and experience must be hired to set right the country's floundering education standards, and no expense should be spared to achieve the desired results in the long term.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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