We don't need new curriculum....but

Today we read in the mainstream media (NST, STAR, etc) that the Malaysian DPM, Najib Razak, has suggested that the education curriculum be revamped. He said that rote learning must be replaced so that Malaysians of the future can be more creative and be able to think for themselves--or something to that effect. Prof Khoo Khay Kim of University Malaya and Tengku Shamsul Bahrain President of Nilai College were quoted as quickly supporting the idea.

To me there is nothing wrong with the present curriculum in our schools. There is no urgency to effect drastic changes to the curriculum. After all, the curriculum is the body of knowledge that we want to impart to the younger generation. We cannot escape from giving our children a set of knowledge--i.e. content of the curriculum.

The problem with our education system is that we do not know how to cultivate the minds of our children--to think independently and to participate in classroom discussions. Our teachers generally do not encourage questions from their pupils, for fear they cannot provide the answers. If this happens, these teachers think that they would lose face.

A teacher could always tell her (or his) pupils this: “Now, Ali, that is a very interesting question. Does anybody know the answer?” In all likelihood, someone in the class may have the answer. If not, and if the teacher is also not able to give the answer, she could say: “I do not have the answer right now, but I know how to search for it. Can you give me until tomorrow to give you the answer?” This is one way to avoid embarrassment, or get out of a difficult situation. It’s not that difficult, is it?

This sort of culture (not questioning your superiors) permeates in the Malaysian society. We see it in politics. Followers are not supposed to question the leader's decision.

For example, backbenchers (YB’s) are not allowed to ask ‘sensitive’ questions to the ministers. These YB’s are, supposedly, the representatives of the rakyat--yet they cannot raise issues that concern the rakyat.

UMNO has even “banned” contest for the top posts, because a contest means questioning the wisdom of the incumbent leader, who should be given free passage to lead, until he gets burnt out!

Therefore, it is widely perceived that 'wakil rakyats' are actually 'wakil pemimpin parti' (party leaders' reps). Take the case of Ijok by-election, and look at the way Works Minister Samy Vellu (cum MIC chieftain) selected HIS representative to contest in this by-election. His 'arrogance' has led to the resignation of the Kuala Selangor MIC chief P. Thirumoorthy--or was Thirumoorthy given the sack by Samy Vellu? I think it is the latter! The BN way of selecting the wakil rakyat is not "bottom-up" but mostly “top-down”. This same culture is slowly being adopted by non-BN parties. A mixture of bottom-up and top-down would have been more acceptable.

So, coming back to Najib's idea (actually he is not the first guy to suggest this, and I don't think he should be given the credit for mooting it), I believe that the present curriculum (Knowledge content) is alright. What is needed is that the teaching method should be revamped.

It is not that teachers have not been exposed to the most modern teaching methods in their training. The problem lies with the teachers trying to minimize work and to do what is the easiest. Some don’t even teach, but sit at their desks and tell their pupils to “use their time profitably”. It happened 40 years ago and it happens even today.

We should now be looking at how teachers should conduct their classes in a more congenial way so as to promote thinking. This is the new challenge—not to simply change the curriculum content. That would be too superficial and not hitting the nail on the head. Revamp the philosophy and practice of teaching itself.

Change the format of the delivery of the subjects taught. Have smaller classes and institute round-table discussions in the classroom. Make teachers more effective facilitators, and let the children learn through their own discoveries.

Have more group projects and make sure that the groups are mixed ethnically. Make them write reports and let them present their findings. Allow others to question the findings and let the presenters know that they have to be accountable for those findings. Detect plagiarism early so that this disease does not become contagious in society.