Education Reform? Or, Education Minister to be reformed?

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said a revolution in teaching and learning methods was necessary to change the mindset of students and those involved in the education system. He said the revised system would encourage students to think creatively, take risks and adopt a discovery-oriented outlook.

A reform in the education system is a prerequisite for the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) to become a global information communications technology (ICT) hub. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said changing the education system was part of the 12 recommendations made by the Ninth MSC International Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting here which ended yesterday.

Besides education, the country should also capitalise on the high growth potential in the shared-services and outsourcing sectors, Abdullah told a press conference after his closing remarks to IAP members.

Do you need to reform an education system? Effective Education System is suppose to be self-evolutionary, changing with the times, and growing with knowledge. The system is suppose to be manned by educationist and intellects, and that these intellectuals and professionals are continuously educating themselves, seeking self-improvement and hence, be able to impart the vast updated-knowledge and profound experiences to the masses in the system. Education system are suppose to be constantly evolving, adopting and adapting changes in science and technology, becoming the center that builds human capital in line with the needs and aspiration of the nation, and in particular, driving Malaysia's desire to be a develop nation in 2020.

If the Prime Minister is talking about reform, will it be radical or incremental change?

The way I observe, the PM is talking about the reform of the educational products and not the entire process and system, in particular, the need to reform the system managers and directors, which is currently the main weakness.

Reform cannot take place without radical change; and the first change must be the change of the Ministers. Then, he has to look at the system managers who may be outdated and still "Pentium 50". We are now in the P4 era, and bus-speed of 400mh. The current system managers are still analog and uses pedals.

PM loves talking!

Politicians generally are mad on SLOGANS AND CONCEPTS, said UKM Dr Agus Mohamed Yusof.

"However, mere words and ideas will not heal disease, alleviate poverty or give people comfort," said UKM Dr Ahmad Nadzamuddin.