TwoSen

AS ALL of us know, extra-curricular activities will help nurture and discipline students from primary and secondary schools.

It is during these activities that students are indirectly being trained for leadership, style, teamwork and problem solving.

But does anyone know how our schools are handling these activities?

How frequent are students participating and what is the time allocation given for each activity? (For information students have to take part in one uniformed body, one club/society and one sport)

Our children are energetic and active. Many love these activities and each week they look forward to contribute and involve themselves.

But what are the schools and Education Ministry doing to tackle many these dynamic and enthusiastic children? The schools are having their activities on Saturdays, on either first or third or Saturdays or second and fourth Saturdays.

Minus the holidays each student participates in activities between 10 and 14 times a year. Imagine a student only doing such activities 10 times per year? Will he be a capable and responsible person or leader?

It’s worse in primary schools.

A primary school I know in Shah Alam recently started its first extra-curricular activities for a uniformed body for one-and- a-half hours from 4pm to 5.30pm.

The other extra-curricular activities (clubs/societies and sports) will be on

following weeks. By the time they have another meeting for this uniformed body, I think these poor primary school children aged 10-12 will forget what happened in their previous lesson.

Can anyone from the Education Ministry advise what criteria the schools are using for the activities? What are the times allocated and how frequent are these activities?

Billions of ringgit has been allocated to the ministry to empower primary and secondary school students. I wish the Education Minister would help our young, active, eager youngsters by allowing more time for their activities.

ACTIVE PARENT,
Shah Alam, Selangor.

Source: The Star – February 19, 2008

I AM writing to express my dismay at the lack of discretion on the part of the cinema operators for screening trailers of movies that are not listed as “U” prior to the screening of a movie listed as “U”.

I have taken my son to a few movies listed as “U” in the past months and have been horrified at some of these trailers that are not listed as “U”. These trailers were not innocent extracts but were full of graphic gore.

I have often noticed young children crying after seeing disturbing scenes from some of these movie trailers.

I am not objecting to the screening of such movie trailers but they must be done in a manner that is consistent with the rating given to the show scheduled for screening.

LOH CHONG YEEN,
Seremban.

Source: The Star – February 19, 2008

WHEN a two-term serving opposition MP suddenly declares that she will not stand for elections because of “infighting”, I get rather upset at the party.

If Fong Po Kuan were an ordinary member of the DAP, it would not face such a dilemma, but she is the famous ‘cili padi’of Batu Gajah. Many, including myself will miss her.

It is precisely the setting aside of vocal members who can really represent the people that makes voters like me avoid supporting DAP.

Every time there is someone worthy of representing us, the person would vanish unless he or she “kow tow” to the leadership. As such how can Malaysia then have a good, strong opposition that the public can respect?

Perhaps, it is time the DAP takes a closer look at its own internal politics before trying to come forward to be involved in national politics. When they cannot be unified internally how can they hope to unify our diverse races to form a government?

If their ambition is only to be a lonely voice to be a soundboard for our grievances, we can do so on our own via the press and Internet.

If the DAP wants to be credible as a strong opposition party and get the vote of the people, they have to be strong enough on their own and not flirt with PAS and PKR and hope to form an odd marriage.

Malaysia needs a strong leadership to

propel it into the future. What we have if not strong and great is nonetheless still

stable with a more than 50 year track

record of sticking together for better or for worse.

Thank you Po Kuan for showing what the DAP really is like from an insider point of view. We owe you one when we walk to the polling station. Not only have you served Batu Gajah well, you have served the nation well during your term of office.

VICTOR CHEW,
Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Source: The Star – February 19, 2008

IT was disheartening to read of the teacher who refused to admit her mistakes to the pupils and reprimanded them for correcting her. (”Let them not keep quiet” — NST, Feb 13).

Generally, teachers do encourage pupils to ask questions. Teacher-talking time has been greatly reduced and more time is given for pupils to respond and ask questions. In some instances, pupils have been given so much freedom to ask questions that the classroom becomes quite noisy.

Apart from that, teachers have to incorporate creative and critical thinking and moral skills in all their lessons. These skills are integrated into all subjects to get pupils to think creatively and critically.

These are dynamic teaching and learning strategies that are vital techniques to make pupils ask questions and engage in discussions.

Two other strategies that many teachers utilise in their classrooms to stimulate questions and discussions are brainstorming and mind-mapping techniques.

Brainstorming is primarily a group creative-thinking technique to engage pupils to produce as many ideas as possible on a particular topic. The focus is on quantity, not quality. All ideas are accepted, no matter how far-fetched they may seem.

Brainstorming is an effective creative and critical thinking strategy because of the cumulative effect of each mind being stimulated or triggered by the creativity of others in the group. When they have brainstormed or exhausted their resources, the pupils will question the validity of their earlier recorded responses and expunge the irrelevant ideas through questions and discussions.

In mind-mapping, ideas are written in a lateral fashion using branches for each new idea. Key words convey the gist of an idea in a branch and sub-ideas are written along sub-branches. Mind maps provide pupils with the points or ideas they need for reading, writing essays and revising for tests. Mind-mapping increases and stimulates pupils’ flexibility of creative thinking.

Teachers today are facilitators in the learning process. They help guide pupils to develop their own learning ability to acquire knowledge and use it to form their own ideas.

Unfortunately, most pupils are passive recipients who do not question teachers. This is due to their cultural upbringing to respect and not question the teacher. Pupils should be encouraged to speak up and challenge their teachers by asking thought-provoking questions.

However, many teachers are unable to engage pupils in discussions in the classroom because of time constraints. Teachers have to cover an extensive syllabus over a short span of time. Added to this is the average classroom size of 35 to 45 pupils of varying abilities which makes it virtually impossible for teachers to implement any kind of teaching strategy successfully.

Finally, the country’s rigid and examination-orientated education system encourages teachers to put emphasis on rote-learning.

A daunting task facing teachers today is whether children should be taught to think and solve problems effectively and efficiently or prepare them for examinations.

Most of the examinations today test knowledge and recall of information. There is, therefore, a mismatch between what is advocated and what is tested.

Educationists have been calling for a revamp of our examination-orientated education system because it is not producing thinking Malaysians.

We should prepare the young for the K-economy whereby students should be able to process information and relate it to themselves, their surroundings and the world.

SAMUEL YESUIAH, Seremban

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

WITH palm oil prices hitting the RM3,400 per tonne mark, environmental concerns have been expressed against the increase in the clearing of forests to plant oil palm in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Many non-governmental organisations and governments are not taking kindly to the destruction of virgin jungle that they say threatens bio-diversity as well as endangers flora and fauna and causes air pollution.

A strong lobby has now begun to exert political pressure against the oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia.

It is time for local plantation firms to focus on better alternatives that will spare oil palm, Malaysia’s golden crop, an international backlash, with the advent of bio-fuels, through boycotts, restrictions and negative publicity.

Productivity needs to be increased in existing plantations, and some companies have already shown the way to maximum possible yields through better management and utilisation of resources.

Replanting has to be done more frequently, especially when the peak of productivity has been reached with the palms about 15 to 20 years old, depending on the health of the trees.

Presently, many plantations, firms and smallholders do not replace their old trees despite lower yields but prefer to wait longer, especially when the price of the commodity is now at an all time high.

Better clones are being developed through biotech efforts and research at the various plantation research units and oil palm growers should take advantage of this.

Travelling around the country, one can see a high proportion of oil palm trees that are well past their prime. This is a loss, especially when there is a government-initiated fund to encourage replanting.

Increasing the yield by replanting regularly and better management can help overcome land shortage.

The government should freeze applications to open up new land for oil palm cultivation and instead direct the firms to focus more on increasing yields from existing estates. Opening new estates brings with it a trail of problems leading to global warming, flooding or labour shortage.

Today, one of the major uncertainties confronting estates, especially near urban areas, is the march of development.

A large number of oil palm plantations in the peninsula has been lost to development in the last 20 years.

The availability of prime agricultural land is limited. It will be better to re-develop idle land, new villages and expired leaseholds for urban development. Malay reserve land, old towns, inner city areas should be re-developed instead of bulldozing away the precious estates.

Estates and forest reserves should be the last resort for development. With proper planning and zoning, Malaysia can improve on land usage and save the oil palm plantations which are becoming even more valuable than before now that palm oil is being used as both food and fuel.

V. THOMAS, Sungai Buloh, Selangor

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

THE general election is slated for March 8. Feng shui experts predicted that (It’s a good day for polls” — NST, Feb 15) because the number “8″ is a symbol of good luck.

I do not know whether that day would be a good or a bad day for me to cast my vote, but what I do know is that the days prior to March 8, local councils will go all out to giving top priority to roads in their jurisdiction. Even a small pothole will be patched immediately. Roads with tanah merah surfaces will be tarred. This has been proven in past by-elections and general elections.

This is what I like about an election, be it the by-election or the general election, because the local councils never fail to impress me. How I wish a day in every month is made election day! Then we would not have to deal with potholes.

To voters out there, vote wisely in choosing your representatives

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

USUALLY, with elections round the corner, there is an outpouring in the media on the efficiency, integrity, etc, of the government. Elections or no elections, I believe the government is what they say they are and much more.

An issue regarding the land my family has lived on for 40 years and more is a case in point. The director-general of the Lands and Mines Department, Datuk Zoal Azha Yusof, made arrangements for a meeting to look into our problem.

It was attended by him, Mohd Nor Kassim, senior assistant director; Halim Ain, deputy director-general; and Zahirul Lail Hj Ayub, senior assistant director, Kuala Lumpur.

Not only were they sympathetic towards our problem but gave advice on procedures and options available to us.

Here were high-ranking officials with, I am very sure, a hectic schedule taking time to meet us. Our queries were answered politely and professionally.

So, when the prime minister says the government is here to serve the people, I think the above gentlemen and their team live up to it admirably.

My family and I were touched by the kindness accorded us during the meeting and would like to thank them for going the extra mile.

ATPUTHA DEVI, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

ARUTCHELVAM Kumaran of Sungai Buloh is quite right in his views (”Medical treatment: Service falls short” — NST Feb 13) on the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

This 600-bed hospital was opened to the public last year but quite evidently lacks staff.

More than that, the Ministry of Health appears to be trying to bite off more than it can chew.

There is a serious staff shortage all round, including paramedics, nurses, technicians and specialists.

The fact that specialists overlooked a large colonic tumour is a reflection of the depth of inexperience of the staff .

This state of affairs cannot be good for the large population the hospital hopes to serve in the Sungai Buloh, Damansara Damai, Kepong, Jinjang and Rawang areas.

ZARIM KAMARUL, Shah Alam

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

I WAS admitted to the Seri Manjung Hospital on Feb 12 with diabetic problems.

Although I was entitled to a first-class ward, and duly insisted on it, the staff told me there was no available space/bed.

They advised me to admit myself into a third class ward (Ward 7) and promised to transfer me as soon as there was a vacancy.

I relented and what a surprise it was for me. The staff of Ward 7 were true professionals.

Although it was a third class ward, the treatment and attention given to me and other patients was first class.

The moment I was sent to my bed, the doctor-in-attendance immediately attended to me. Soon, three other doctors joined her and began to interview me and assess my condition.

All of them gave me positive vibes although they did not dare to confirm my condition until the orthopaedic specialist paid me a visit.

The doctors and nurses (including student nurses) constantly checked on me because I was suspected of having gangrene as my little toes had turned black.

The next day, the specialist came and confirmed that the condition of my toes was due to tight shoes.

To all the doctors of Ward 7, dedicated yet polite nurses, including the trainees and attendants, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for making my stay a pleasant one.

You have really shown me that you deserve all the benefits doctors should receive.

I am highlighting this case because I want everyone to know that doctors and other medical staff, especially at the Seri Manjung Hospital, put their heart and soul into their work.

Furthermore, the food provided by the hospital was simply marvellous.

In the past, I would not touch hospital food, but this time, I was tempted to try.

The food was served in a very hygienic way. The tray was covered with a special cover and the food looked appetising. I was served the same food as other patients in the third class and I dare say it was even better than food in some restaurants.

I believe all of these could not have been achieved without the excellent leadership of the hospital director.

I did not meet the director, but from what I observed during my short stay at the hospital, I must say he has done an exceptional job.

JAYARAJ K.G.S., Sitiawan, Perak

Source: NST – February 19, 2008

WE refer to the issue of poorly-managed parks in Peninsular Malaysia raised by Wong Chi Lik of Batu Caves (”Peninsular parks lacking” — NST, Feb 13).

There has been much progress in Malaysia in recent years with regard to the establishment of new protected areas, which include national parks, state parks and other conservation areas.

Over the past year alone, the Selangor and Perak governments gazetted important conservation areas with high biodiversity, including the Selangor State Park (in January last year) and the Royal Belum State Park (in May last year).

However, as Wong pointed out, the establishment of new parks has also resulted in a growing need for effective management of the parks.

This can only be achieved by having good protected area strategies and co-ordination at the national level, as well as a pool of skilled protected-area professionals.

Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Malaysia is currently assisting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to improve the management effectiveness of protected areas in Malaysia.

In 2005, the ministry commissioned WWF-Malaysia to conduct a nationwide assessment of the management effectiveness of national and state parks.

We are, among other things, also collaborating with the ministry on the Malaysian Parks Newsletter. But much more needs to be done to improve protected area management.

WWF-Malaysia agrees that there is a lack of properly-trained staff in protected areas and would like to urge the federal and state governments to give more emphasis to capacity-building in protected-area management.

According to a report entitled “Capacity Building and Strengthening of the Protected Areas System in Peninsular Malaysia” by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 1999, there is no course specifically meant for the management of protected areas.

The Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia has a forestry school in Kepong. But to our knowledge, there is no specific component on protected-area management although some training is provided in the management of recreational forests.

Protected-area management is far more complex and requires a more diverse set of skills than the management of recreational forests.

One possible initiative that could be carried out to achieve this would be the setting up of a National Institute of Protected-Area Management, considering that Malaysia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

After all, our burgeoning tourism industry is very much dependent on our natural capital.

As it may take some time for this institute to be established, in the short term, a protected area component should be introduced as a module in existing courses, attended by staff of the Forestry Department and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Another pressing issue is the retention of skilled personnel in protected-area management.

Currently, most protected area staff have to work under challenging physical conditions.

In some cases, they are faced with poor job security, poor salary packages and poor prospects of promotion.

It is time to recognise park staff for their contributions to biodiversity conservation, invest in building their capacity while in service and provide them with opportunities for career advancement.

DR DIONYSIUS S.K. SHARMA, WWF-Malaysia

Source: NST – February 19, 2008