KUCHING: The government must acknowledge that the prevailing education policies are obsolete as thousands of graduates remain unemployed, said an association leader.
KEEP IT UP: Yong (centre) presents a certificate of attendance to a participant. Also seen are Hua Min (second right), Goi Hua (left) and Yvonne.
Kuching Hainan Association (KHA) chairman Tan Hua Min, also claimed that many education policies were confusing mainly due to political factors.
“Apparently, our leaders have lost their direction as far as the education system is concerned. Personal or political agenda is not appreciated in education business.
“Let’s just admit that our education policies are outdated and this is one of the reasons many graduates cannot get a job,” he said during the presentation of certificates of attendance for the 14th Bahasa Malaysia (BM) evening class organised by KHA women wing at the association premises here.
Tan asserted that the government had to look at the core problem instead of focusing on petty issues if it wanted to improve the education system.
He felt that no one should shun their obligation as education was the key to chart the future of a nation.
“Education is not solely about academic performance, which our ministry seems to prioritise. It should come as a whole to include personality and emotional development to better shape our children.”
He also urged the Chinese community not to give up on Chinese primary schools and Chinese independent schools although the government still refused to recognise Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
“We, the Chinese, never turn our back on BM and more importantly, we learn how to speak and write the national language. This is part of the duty of a citizen,” added Tan.
Officiating at the ceremony, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Yong Khoon Seng encouraged more people, especially the older generation, to equip themselves with knowledge of the official language.
He noted that people aged 60s and above did not receive an education in BM, and lauded the women wing for organising the evening classes in the past decade.
The Stampin MP believed that with determination, anyone would be able to pick up the language and thereafter use it in their daily life.
“It is not very difficult to learn a new language if you are determined. I was not given the chance to learn BM in school but I gradually learned how to speak it on my own initiative and look at me, I did it,” said the 68-year-old.
The association’s women chief Tan Goi Hua said it all boiled down to individuals if they wanted to make life easier, particularly those having to deal with official and governmental businesses.
When more and more people learn the national language, it would mean that the nation was a step closer to realise its 1Malaysia concept, she said.
“Instead of expecting government officers to speak our mother tongue, it is way better for us to take the initiative to learn an extra language,” advised Tan.
Some 30 people aged 40 and above received their scrolls from Yong during the simple ceremony.
Among those present was the evening class instructor Yvonne Tan.
For intending learners, the association will commence the next classes on March 1, 2011. Call 082-243593 or 016-8939915 for further details.