|
©The Sun
(Used by permission)
by Prof Emeritus Tengku Datuk Shamsul Bahrin
Over the past 50 years, we have seen vast developments in Malaysian education.
We have made great strides in democratising education. Primary and secondary
education is within every child’s reach. We have also vastly increased
opportunities for tertiary education by expanding enrolment in public-funded
institutions and by permitting the growth of private colleges and universities.
The education system has also served several national objectives. A common
curriculum emphasising our history, values and the national language is in place
at school level and even required at tertiary level. The compulsory courses in
language, history and culture for all students at private tertiary institutions
are an example of this.
National unity is not the only objective that the education system has served.
The system has also met the changing human resource requirements of an economy
that evolved from one based on agriculture and mining to one that emphasises
manufacturing, heavy industries, the services sector, information technology and
bioscience.
The education sector has served an economy that has had prolonged economic
growth – more than 6% per annum over a 50-year period. In the same period, we
have had tremendous improvements in many other areas. Even life expectancy has
increased by 15 years – from 55 years to 72 years. None of these would have been
possible without adaptations over time and an expansion of opportunities.
What then would I like to see happen in the next 50 years?
The education system must be further democratised such that each Malaysian child
can be free to develop to her or his fullest potential. Our education system
needs to provide opportunities to bring out the best in each Malaysian child,
regardless of background, and recognising their unique gifts and contributions.
Continued emphasis on national unity is critical. How-ever, this is not going to
be achieved by quotas and mandatory courses, but through a common living
experience. National unity should be reflected in the way the education system
operates to provide equitable opportunities for all Malaysians regardless of
gender, economic class or ethnicity. It must be seen in everyday interactions
and not through the impositions and requirements that are forced on the system.
Education leaders, faculty and students should lead this ideal within, after and
outside the institutions of learning. We need to have in place in our
institutions of learning, the leadership, culture, structure and personnel to
make this a reality.
What we have seen over the past 50 years is an ever-increasing pace of change.
School leavers and graduates need to have the attitude and knowledge to adapt to
rapid changes. Employers will hopefully and increasingly “employ for attitude
and know-ledge”, knowing that they can train for the skills needed in their
employees. The education system of the future must meet this emphasis on
attitude and knowledge rather than focus purely on skills.
National boundaries have become less relevant for economic activity. Much of
today’s economic activity occurs across borders. Indeed, there is globalisation
in every field – economic, socio-cultural and political. This will be more so in
the years to come. The education system has to enable its graduates to be
successful in such a world.
Our educational experience has been enriched by the opportunities that large
numbers of Malaysians have had to study abroad. With the emphasis on exporting
education, there has been significant increases in the number of foreign
students at Malaysian tertiary institutions. Those studying in many local
institutions now have the opportunity to interact with students from a variety
of cultures. Such an enriching environment needs to become a reality for an even
larger number of Malaysians. For this to occur, we need to further
internationalise our educational institutions.
Internationalisation calls for us to keep improving such that our institutions
of learning become sought after destinations. We need to continue developing the
management of our institutions, our programme development, quality assurance and
personnel in order to position ourselves in the upper rung of the international
arena.
The objective of education has always been to produce successful individuals who
are assets to their families and community at large. This will continue to be
the objective, but clearly, the manner in which the education system provides
for this has to change.
My wish is to see that the changes keep pace with the needs of our future
generations.
Ultimately, we must have an education system that is capable of continuously
adapting to the changes necessary to produce graduates who are knowledgeable,
broad minded, witty and possessing of a healthy sense of humour.
Prof Emeritus Tengku Datuk Shamsul Bahrin is Nilai International University
College president.
 |
News 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Invitation to the Launching of the Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Kuala Lumpur) Website 
