Let's Talk About: Our Education System

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

Education & The Education System.

Before I launch into my thoughts on this, a bit of background:

So I grew up in Malaysia, and studied my elementary and high school years in the national education system.

Then I had the opportunity to study abroad in the United Kingdom.

I came back to complete my professional paper in Malaysia and am now working in Malaysia.

I also had the privilege to work in the education sector - in a private homeschool center.

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So. Why this topic?

I am at the age that I am surrounded by people who discuss about marriage, having children, and this naturally leads to the topic of - which school or what kind of education do you want your children to have?

It has been a trend for more and more parents to send their children to private and/or international schools.

Despite the enormous and burdensome costs. 

Why?

I would say that the national education system has been lacking or have shown some systemic flaws for those who grew up in the system. Unfortunately we have not seen any or much improvements in recent years while the nation was struggling with other issues. 

But before we get into what I think is lacking. I sincerely believe that the national education system did have its strengths.

What are the good points?

• Integration of all races in the education system (barring the fact that there are language-centric schools provided)

• Extra (mandatory) co-curricular activities (which would include a sporting activity, an academic-type activity and an interest-type activity) included in the yearly school schedule 
  
  
• A chance for students to take up additional responsibilities through being involved in the prefect community, librarian community, being a class leader, being a leader in an extra co-curricular clubs etc

• With this, the chance for students to learn how to juggle the responsibilities and learn time management skills 
  
  
• As well as the opportunity to socialize with and work alongside students from all backgrounds

What could be better?

However, there are also many gaps in the system. This is not an exhaustive list whatsoever, but merely an inkling of what I personally think is lacking in the education system, as how I knew it to be: 

1. An education centered on teaching students the ability to think critically, form their own opinions on relevant issues and express them in a coherent manner (i.e Critical Thinking skills). 

In my opinion, the education system (that I grew up with) was only focused on doing well in the 100% written examinations that is held annually, at the expense of other skills (thinking, verbal and soft skills). 

Information would usually be spoon-fed and students given examination 'tips' to score well rather than to fully understand the topic and to generate genuine interest in learning. 

To be fair, the examinations held were closed-book and depended solely on memorization, so that was what the teachers helped students to achieve. 

The teachers are also caught between a rock and a hard place too - their progress in the organization also likely based on the achievements of the students, and they are then motivated to help their students achieve good results.

It could also have an impact on a teacher's reputation, as their students' achievements would bear some sort of reflection on their abilities as a teacher too. 

Perhaps a change in the education system needs to be coupled with a change in the examination method and style as well, in order to effect change throughout.

• An education that includes Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as part of the education syllabus. 

You might be asking: What is SEL? (for our visual people, a video - What is SEL?)

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. (CASEL)

TLDR; SEL is the soft skills (social and emotional skills) that everyone needs to have to be successful in life. 

That success isn't the kind of success measured by achievements and accolades, but rather, the kind of success that achieved through experiencing rich, deep and meaningful relationships. This success is achievable at any age and at any time.

I think an important aspect of SEL would be the cultivation of Emotional Intelligence (aka Emotional Quotient (EQ)) as well. We need to actively teach young people how to express their emotions (how they feel) well, and practice healthy ways of dealing with stress. 

It is rather unfortunate that many of our young people and adults go through life without ever acquiring such skills or needing to acquire such skills through the hard way (life experiences). 

For Malaysia to progress, we need to think about education in more holistic terms, in order to set our children up for success in their future. 

The world is moving and progressing faster than anyone can imagine (with the invention and use of AI!).

We cannot keep thinking that our education (which has perhaps served us well up to now, if ever), will be able to help us as well in the future. 

We should prepare ourselves well. 

Resources

1. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/ (CASEL)