Bold action needed to raise confidence

After more than 50 years, we are still struggling to find a better education system for our children.
We need good and honest leaders to make our national schools the number one choice for all parents. To put it simply, politics, religion and race must not interfere in education.
The government must be bold enough to take action against any wrongdoer, irrespective of any political standing.
A clear message must be sent to offiicials and teachers who fail to carry out their duties: they must be sacked or transferred.
Bad attitudes need to be changed for parents to consider sending their children to national schools.
The Education Ministry must be serious about introducing Mandrain, Tamil and other languages in schools. Right now, these subjects are taught in a haphazard manner as there are insufficient quality teachers.
Trainee teachers must be made to take an oath of loyalty to the teaching profession.
Bring back the board of governors system which we had in the 1960s. They can help to keep the headmaster and teachers on their toes.
If all these issues can be addressed, there is no reason why pareents will not send their children to national schools.


Posted by Lim Hong Kai in nst.
dated 02 Oct. 2009.