masterwordsmith-unplugged: Don't we already have employable grads?

Don't we already have employable grads?

Posted by Unknown On Tuesday, July 20, 2010 60 comments

Guess what? The Human Resources Minister said HERE that the Government was allocating RM10.5mil for the Graduate Employability Programme to train unemployed diploma and degree holders.

According to the report, the programme aims to help the more than 30,000 students who remain unemployed six months after their graduation and is also open to those who were unemployed three months after completing their studies.

Fees for the programme will be borne by the Government.

Hmmm...Since when do graduates need help? And at such a price and such a time when subsidies are being withdrawn? Does it seem to imply that the universities are not producing marketable graduates?

I graduated in the 1980s during the economic downturn and unemployment was a serious problem but still, I managed to get two jobs before I graduated - rejected the one from The Star because my father did not allow yours truly to go to KL (which I regret till this day) and took up the other position. At that time, there was no such program to help new graduates.

The following is quite a surprise to me:

The programme will improve their prospects in the job market as it allows them to take up specialised ICT courses.

The most astounding part is the minister’s statement that all the targeted 1,000 graduates who enrol for this programme will have a guaranteed job once they complete their training.

He admitted that graduates with degrees in arts and religious studies had no marketability and that the main factors for their unemployment was that their courses did not meet the current demand.

If those courses are not marketable, shouldn't the intake for those faculties be reduced to solve the problem without spending more $$$?

Guaranteed jobs??? But where???

Mr. Gusharan Singh who wrote the letter to The Star said the Government should stop courses that do not have market demand as they cost the rakyat billions of ringgit and are a burden to the tax-paying rakyat. For the rest of his suggestions, please CLICK HERE.

It is evident that there are MANY areas of weakness in our education industry. The authorities concerned must look at the CAUSE of the problem and not spend the rakyat's money for symptomatic treatment.

The practice of mollycoddling and spoon feeding students MUST stop! They should learn to stand on their own feet. Should the rakyat's money be used then for this purpose?

What do you think, dear reader? Do share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Thanks! Have a nice day!

60 comments to Don't we already have employable grads?

says:

July 20, 2010 at 4:23 PM

Tiger It's about time these "grads" wake up and smell the coffee. No such thing as a free lunch. We must stop subsidising the failures of others and get them to achieve something on their own efforts!

says:

July 20, 2010 at 5:13 PM

Anonymous 67% problem. 33% no problem.

says:

July 20, 2010 at 5:29 PM

Anonymous Overheard, two unemployed graduates at a mamak stall…

Grad 1: So how did the interview go yesterday?
Grad 2: Not good. The guy asked a lot of questions which I thought were quite simple to answer…
Grad 1: Like?
Grad 2: Well, first he asked me what is the difference between “I got laid-off” and “I got laid”.
Grad 1: Sounds simple…So what did you tell him?
Grad 2: The two sentences are the same…So I told him one has the word “off”.
Grad 1: I think so too. Sometimes they try to ask you trick questions…
Grad 2: And then he asked what is the difference between “I am coming” and “I am cumming”
Grad 1: That one is easy.
Grad 2: Ya, it is. So I told him no difference…spelling mistake only.
Grad 1: Huh? Aiyoo!! You stupid hormone freak…you don’t watch blue films ka?
Grad 2: No lah! And then he asked “What did the hungry dog said to the cat?”
Grad 1: Wah…This one I really don’t know.
Grad 2: Me, too. So he told me it means “I want to eat p****”.
Grad 1: But did he say whether you are hired or not?
Grad 2: Of course, and he asked me if I understand SMS texting terms or not. I said I’m good at it.
Grad 1: Ya, me too. I always use short texting terms…
Grad 2: So he asked me to wait at the reception lobby for his decision.
Grad 1: Then what happened?
Grad 2: One minute later, he SMS me to say IMS but YEIT so PGTFOOH
Grad 1: What the hell is that?
Grad 2: Oh, that one I know. It means…

I AM SORRY but YOUR ENGLISH IS TERRIBLE so PLEASE GET THE F*** OUT OF HERE.

StraightTalking

says:

July 20, 2010 at 6:11 PM

nick Sis,

Sadly our Uni no longer produces graduates. The only thing Malaysian uni produces are livestocks and those livestocks are fed only kangkong (What do we expect when the lecturers and profs are all kangkong too!) Case in point is the ex VC of UUM Sintok (who BTW was an ex director of BTN too).

I can clearly remember the level of intellect (or the absence of it) when this so called Prof was "throwing" a question to DSAI during the famous "foaming mouth debate" with Shabery Cheek. The "kangkong"..err.. Prof was asking a question not unlike a kindergarten child, which was out of topic, utterly nonsensical and totally rubbish (clearly he fed to much on kangkong himself).

These are the type of brainless and unprincipled people who heads our Uni and they are the one who destroyed the education and the institution of higher learning in Malaysia with the blessing of the government in the form of AUKU (thus we have not graduates but certificates carrying livestock).

A sad reality for us and Malaysia.

GOD bless, Sis.

Nick.

says:

July 20, 2010 at 7:53 PM

Darth Vader MWS,

The answer is really simple. Really really really simple.

Education is of other major area for leakages of the rakyat's money. You cant question fees structure given by diffrent institute, college or universities. If you question it, those institutions,college or Uni will give you 1 billion and 1 answer. They would tell you, they have qualified lecturers with very good credentials, state of the art learning equipment so on and so forth.

Also, if the opposition oppose this move or even question it, then you will have gomen lap dogs politicizing this. They will use this as bullet for their ceramahs etc etc.

Like you said in yr posting, we must find out the root cause of this problem. Why graduates nowadays finding it hard to get job/s? What is lacking in our higher education systems that makes our graduate not marketable?

The scenario of the local universities are, Lectures in national language, tutorials in national languange, exams in national language, reference books are in english, working life, will be requiring to converse in english. How to be marketable???

The education policies of a nation should move with time and reflective of the current situation and of the near future. The crystal ball in my house predicted that China, India will be the new economic super power replacing the traditional super powers in years to come. So, education policies and programme must be develop to take advantage to this new development. the recent move to change math and science back to bahasa is very regressive move.

I guess to many morons running the education ministry.

says:

July 20, 2010 at 10:58 PM

Anonymous place a crutch instead of tombstone in their graves...

they need crutches from the day they were born till the day they died!

NIAMAH (not pat, though).

says:

July 21, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Anonymous A very good question indeed. For sure we have SOME employable grads but most are unemployable as they are produced by the wrong institutions. Do we need a grad to collect toll ? Do we need grad just to warm the pew of govt dept ?
Do we need fresh grad just to add to the numbers in the JPM ?

With so many universities built and many more on the pipeline, the govt are on the wrong track in producing intellectual for the need of the country.

A nation has lose its direction when she decides to throw away the world's most used language. I sense politics in everything Malaysia. It was due to politics that the system of education was destroyed.

When Uni are helmed by men and women for patronage reasons other than academic ability, the end results are these unemployable grads. Retrain them using cronies colleges that " laughs all the way to their banks " with the fees paid by the govt.

Until the day when politician no longer calls the shot on anything concerning education we will have to face the truth that our sons and daughters need to be educated in our neighbouring countries.

But we have a way out, people of Malaysia. Just ship out the current good for nothing govt to Timbaktu and usher in the new govt of Pakatan, we will surely see new dawn in this nation. Things will change and it will be for a better future as there will be more transparency and accountability.

Let us rebuild this nation to be the proud nation that it was once. The towering nation of Asia where God had has given unto our forefathers. Every resources that the world need, we have it in our land,.....those were the days.

We can if we all get down to the business of getting more fence sitter to throw in their lots to support a govt who cares for their people,....give Pakatan a chance, will you ?

StraightTalking, you are really talking straight !!! Can't add anything more to your satire. Just so,.....true leh. Keep it com....ing bro.
~ahoo~

says:

July 21, 2010 at 12:27 PM

Anonymous Our political leades have no political will to reform the education systems. They always just gave justifications for their own existence without consideration for the need of the nation to develop quality human resources through quality higher education. I think they just want to produce so call graduates who are easy to manipulate to the leaders' political advantages.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Ben Lim The only answer to problems is to change the government of today for a better Malaysia. One can write or give suggestions over the Internet. What is the use if those in power just simply do not care! Or do not have the political will to reforms!
I have stopped giving comments for awhile as I felt it is useless. This country is doomed unless there are serious reforms.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Anonymous Dear anon 10:58

They don't "need crutches since they are born" . Crutches are compulsory for them ...

says:

July 21, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Anonymous Just yesterday, my kid told me that he had not been taught Science, BM or Moral for two weeks because his teachers are preparing for Majlis Pembelajaran. The irony! This coming from teachers - what are they imparting to the young? Cutting corners is ok, not being professional is ok. SO - We can blame the worsening economy, the lack of English language skills and the narrowing of job market opportunities but don't overlook attitude. A poor attitude and lack of initiative borne from years of getting freebies/chances/aid have bred a unique mentality in our graduates. Semua mau tapi kerja tak mau.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Stanley Goh About 30 years ago, Malaysian graduates were among the best in the world, knowledgeable and with command of English which was at par with the very best in the Commonwealth.

They were indeed held in very high esteem by employers who can be rest assured of getting good employees from this pool of graduates. Can we say the same of the production-line generation of graduates that we now have. A small outfit can start of as a college, progress to University College and then to a full blown University at the whim and fancy of the Ministry of Education.
Entry to Universities are no longer meant for the best in the respective fields. Eg. you can have a guy who gets an offer to do Medicine with very mediocre results while brilliant scholars have the door slammed in their faces. The criteria for selection has shifted from having the proper qualification to having the right "KULIT-fication".
So is it any surprise that many of these substandard "graduates" cannot find employment? To be very honest, sometimes it is preferable not to employ them for fear that they might mess up whatever they are supposed to do. As some employers say," Kasi percuma pun say tak mahu".
Try talking to these cream of the Malaysian education system in English and most of them will without fail answer you in BM< instead.
So in answer to the question, "Don't we already have employable grads", the reply is that there is currently 2 tiers of graduates in the market, one that every employer will hope to get even before they graduate, the other is the group that has admittedly gone through University but have nothing to show for the many years wasted in University except a scrap of parchment proclaiming them as graduates.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 1:19 PM

Anonymous If we make it mandatory that ALL businesses conducted in Malaysia be it spoken or written should be in Bahasa Malaysia, then there is no issue about language being a barrier to getting a job in Malaysia.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 1:24 PM

Anonymous I actually pity the jobless grads from the local U. They have either been brainwashed since young that they are getting a good education or are too poor to get higher education elsewhere. During my days, I know of cases where students could only seek higher education in local U because their parents could not afford to send them overseas.

The blame should fall squarely on the government of the day. They are NOT interested in educating the future leaders of the country but am only interested in lining their own pockets.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Anonymous Bumi quotas. A product of the govt policy. Make exam easier. SPM got 175 'A's. Go uni. Make course easier to graduate. Graduated with triple major. Unable to find work. Govt coming up with a scheme to help. Give them job. Slot them into every govt dept. Some in Education Ministry. Problem doing their job, no problem, give them job which is easy. Automatic promotions through years 'they existed'. Lucky ones became AG, DG, Pengarah and whatnot. In charge of respective dept. Including education system and national policies. See them u must bow down and wag your tail while address them as Dato, Dato Seri, Tan Sri and Tun.

-Mel,K.L

says:

July 21, 2010 at 2:18 PM

Anonymous Educating my 2 sons broke my wife's and mine backs, financially. Back then in the 80's, being Chinese from Sarawak, a lot of 'doors' were, and still are, closed!

Now, after reading the GEP, we are glad we gone through the mills; notwithstanding the fact that we now depend solely on our pensions for our daily living.Upon theirs graduations and getting their first jobs, whatever it were, they were each given RM1000 and a mobile for the 1st month survival in KL. Since then, they have been on their own.

10 years have gone by, and now they each have their own homes, cars, family and good and demanding, but steady, jobs.

Something is very WRONG here - the Government, the graduates and the parents of the graduates. When are we going to learn? Or will we ever learn?

Today, I read in the paper that M'sian students from Chinese-medium schools are heading south! If the flow is serious, we can forget about the human capital formation.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said " Great minds discuss ideas; avearge minds discuss events; small minds discuss people"

When are we going we learn?
Or will we ever learn?

says:

July 21, 2010 at 2:20 PM

Anonymous As an owner of a local SME operating internationally, I have found severe difficiencies in the quality of the majority of local graduates. This I believe is due to the complete lack of meritocracy throughout the public education chain starting with the quality of teachers/lecturers, curriculum, courses, education officials, grading, etc. Overseas graduates and graduates from private institutions are not available to a company like mine. Time to pack up and move.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 2:47 PM

Anonymous Hey! At least the hard earned tax payers' money is spent on fellow Malaysians who will one day contribute to the nation and hopefully become tax payers themselves! Do you all know that when local public universities take in foreign students, we the tax payers are subsidizing their education! It works this way. Every undergrad is subsidized sevenfold (x7) by the government(they have to be, the fees charged is not enough!). A foreign student's fee is only three times as much as a local student (more or less). This means that they are still being subsidized 4 times as much by the government! Some of these foreign students come from rich oil producing nations! And do you know why we still take these foreign students at the expense of tax payers? Ranking! Speak to any public university administrator, they can confirm this!It was only recently that we start opening our undergraduate programmes to foreigners! And it started because of the ranking game!

says:

July 21, 2010 at 3:01 PM

Arts Supporter Hmm. The problem is our society in general. Stop blaming the government for everything. First of all, the idea that courses that don't produce employable graduates should be shaved is the worst idea that can be uttered ever.

A society needs to be well-rounded, appreciating art, music and culture for what it has contributed to society. without the understanding of the complexities of our interwoven lives that don't solely live on politics alone, we realise we can conquer more than we think we can. The study of anthropology, psychology or art, music, language, history and the social sciences reflect a society who bothers enough to figure out what made nations and cultures great rather than pin the blame on others.

What we have in our country is this need to develop employable graduates because the market demands it yet you realise you make them do these jobs like Medicine, Engineering, Business, IT and Mass Comms, these one dimensional degrees that bring hollow understanding of anything.

It's not just the technicality that one should master but the passion and the reason behind why certain things have been done.

It is sad when brain drain happens and it's because we don't develop that other side of the coin. We focus only on one side. It's trickled from top down, from the past generation to this one where we think we need to just create robots and people will hire them. Wrong. Employers are stupid. They want a dynamic person, someone who thinks differently, yet complain that the education system should produce more robots by cutting budget in the more important areas like art, history, music and culture.

We should promote the arts. 'Cos if you don't, society will have nothing to stand on and it will fail. Hence our current disposition.

Society should look upon the arts, religious studies, cultural studies, language and music positively. The appreciation of this side will release amazing results. Why do you think people spend their time collecting and studying art? Reading and analysing history? Understanding and labeling culture? It makes us who we are and if we don't have it, we're nothing.

Also, I have to applaud our govt for hiring good advertising agencies to market our education system through education tourism. I have spoken to students from Africa who speak fantastic English and find our education system simplistic and a fraud. I feel embarrassed to think we duped them into coming here.

Our agencies should be applaused for making us seem better than we are. The worst thing though, is that we believe the lies. Isn't that sad?

I fully support the arts in school. Not just as a stream but it should be compulsory till Form 3. It will unlease creativity. Right now, the people that are creative and foreword thinking are those who have studied, worked and are staying overseas (read: brain drain). Sadly.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 3:39 PM

poh Dear Masterwordsmith,

The Universities cannot do away with the Arts Faculty and also the Islamic Faculty. Without these two Faculties, the students, mainly bumis, would have no where to go. And what would happen to the lecturers in these Faculties? To the government it would be political suicide.

I read in the papers recently that the graduates of UTAR have no problems landing jobs. And I also know that graduates from overseas such as UK and Australia have no problems getting jobs. Infact some of them are offered jobs before they graduate.

Education policy is not something that you can implement without much thoughts put into it. You cannot say today that you are going to abolish exams and then the very next day say the opposite.It has to be very carefully evaluated based on the country's needs over a period of 20 years or more. We must admit that our education system has failed and it is time to get a group of educationists to study, evaluate and formulate a new policy. The politicians including the Minister must not get involved.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 4:11 PM

Anonymous I am a retiree. In 1973 I was offered a place to study in University Malaya. But my family just could not affort to see me through my studies. I had no political connections neither family connections to help me.At that time, I already knew that no one would care about a poor boy from a poor family.Because a poor boy has no use and political value to any one ! But now I am a proud father of two children who had their university education in Australia and UK, all at the expenses of Papa & Mama. My children had no problem finding a job when they graduated. My children didnt score so many A's like the present candidates did. But they performed well in the foreign universities they studied in.One got the Dean's commendation for high performance, and the other scored a second class upper in law studies. I just wonder why our present batch of students who appeared to be so smart by scoring so many A's yet when graduated they find difficuties in finding job! Something is definately wrong with our education systems.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 4:58 PM

samuanya OK kot Notice that the reward is for failing, not passing. Notice that no one has asked how those who do well will be protected from this "help". Remember that civil servants caught committing CBT will only be reprimanded or transferred.

This is the topsy-turvey world of Alice's Wonderland.

says:

July 21, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Anonymous I can see some differing views about our educational standards, scholastic needs, commercial needs, economic needs, holistic needs of a well-rounded society, and a host of other tangible and intangible issues, all hemmed in on the question of the marketability of our graduates.

I think the key word here is “marketability” as MWS’s article seemed to suggest.

I feel the choice of scholastic pursuit should be left alone to the student. While the economic and material needs of a nation may suggest a shortage of a particular professional discipline to feed it’s growth, ultimately, it is for the student to evaluate his strengths and options available, personal interest or fulfillment, funds available, etc; etc. Whether he/she decides to choose to become a rocket scientist, an engineer, an artist, a composer, a lawyer, a dentist, or whatever else is entirely up to the student.

The issue of “marketability” leads us to two questions.

Q 1: Why do we have such an alarming number of “unemployable” graduates?

Everything being equal, this leads us to question the quality of our educational system, institutions and federal policies. Is it because of popular assumption that our local university standards are low compared to others? This popular assumption holds a lot of water because we keep hearing that most companies, especially the big ones, prefer foreign-trained graduates. Or is it a very small, yet critical, deficit, in the form of English proficiency? This might be an issue of concern to a company that has business overseas. Employing a staff, especially an executive, might entail a degree of traveling, writing reports, collaborating with foreign parties, training, etc; etc; all of which might require it to be conducted in English. Could it also be that the weak demand for graduates is actually an indication of our nation’s economic health? I hope not, but I think it is. While many cities (not here lah!) are facing a shortage of trained employees and had to import them with multiple carrots such as high salaries and potential PR benefits, here, we have an increasing army of graduates who can’t even find a decent low-paying executive’s job.

Q 2: Why do we need to “retrain” unemployed graduates?

There is no such thing as “guaranteed employment” after you graduate unless the company belongs to your grandfather. Then again, maybe even HE won’t employ you if you’re really incompetent. Look, the job market is only that big in Malaysia, so is it such a big surprise that many graduates are still sitting at home watching TV, or playing husband and wife with their girlfriend, or robbing a bank. With that in mind, let’s look at those who cannot find work because they have “unusual” degrees and skills that are not commonly found in “profit-minded” companies. Well, as I have said earlier, it is up to the graduate to decide what he/she wants to be. If you have funds to support your “unusual” calling, that’s great. But if you don’t have; don’t blame society for not loving your degree. Already most of your “appropriately” qualified cousins are in the shit pits, so don’t expect simple folks like me to queue up begging for an appointment to meet you.

Do the unemployed ones really need to be retrained? What kind of “new skills” are to be learnt? Learn to speak English? Learn to assimilate into a “I must be hard-working and smart” environment with other races that BTN had told you to stay away from? You better wake up buddy because THIS is reality, whether you like it or not. We don’t blame you for what you are, so please don’t blame us too!

StraightTalking

says:

July 21, 2010 at 8:15 PM

Lazily Unemployed Dear MWS,

I'm not sure if you have had the chance to read today's The Star about four of our local unis. Here's a link for your reference

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/21/nation/6705568&sec=nation

I hope you can further expand the topic for a more engaging read to reflect the current situation instead of the boring statistics quoted by the news daily. I'm particularly interested in your thoughts and also the readers' feedback about the "Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument".

Have a nice day =)

says:

July 21, 2010 at 11:18 PM

Anonymous (Quote)I'm particularly interested in your thoughts and also the readers' feedback about the "Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument".(Unquote)

I am a reader and here is my feedback:

Ever the obeying kind, I've been to their site and other related sites. I don't see nothing there that would help me find employment.

No offence buddy.

StraightTalking

says:

July 21, 2010 at 11:33 PM

Anonymous We should be producing graduates that are marketable worldwide and not only locally. Thus providing more employable opportunity. That said, most of the graduates produce ae not even emplayable locally. That I would say is due to bad education policies. Over producing graduates in fields that has no demand. Producing graduates of poor quality. Not equiping graduates with the required skill that the market wanted e.g ability to communicate in the english language. Lately the suggestion to abolish UPSR and PMR examination, while the market is introducing CPD hours and the government had implemented "Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan " examination in order to ensure a knowledgeable work force. MOE wake up. Education policies that will benefit the rakyat and our country in the long run should be implemented.

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:02 AM

Unknown Dear Tiger

Very true. I recall you have shared about your personal encounters with such 'grads'. The rest of us must really make a stand and not stomach nonsense any more.

Thanks for sharing, Tiger. Take care and have a good rest!

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 5.13pm

That is a very subtle and yet powerful comment!

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:04 AM

Unknown Dear StraightTalking

Many thanks for that entertaining exchange which I am sure might be too close to reality. Via your wit and humor, you have made us see the pathetic state of affairs in our society and for that, I thank you.

Take care and have a great Thursday! Rest well and God bless you and yours always.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:07 AM

Unknown Dear Nick

Sadly, you are right. I have friends from industry who give lectures at local universities and they do share with me the passive and unstimulating responses of their audience.

If we do not have leaders in any position of power in our country be it in politics or academics etc, is it any wonder then that the important institutions seem to be slowly crumbling?

Until and unless they have the guts to face reality, I guess we will be spiralling downwards.

Sighs.

Thanks for sharing, dear Nick. Take care and have a lovely rest.

Salam

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:12 AM

Unknown Dear Darth Vader

Thank you for putting in much thought and time into this issue. You have really examined the length and breadth of the topic and also the possible retorts or defense mechanisms used by the defenders of nonsense!

Your crystal ball is right. In US, many faculty members in top notch universities are from China and India. Even those in the silicon industry - many are from there as well. Now where does that leave us?

With such rot and coupled with disgraceful news about corruption etc, what will happen to our international competitiveness? What will happen to the job market and the future of our nation?

It is very disconcerting to see that some are NOT concerned about the bigger picture of things or about the long-term implications of a deterioration of education standards.

The whole MOE needs a serious revamp with help from TRUE BLUE educators, not politicians at the helm.

Thanks for sharing. Take care and have a restful evening.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:13 AM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 10.58pm

Excellent comment. Thank you so much!! I really think apart from crutches, they should be given pampers and a bib as they drool over handouts!

Sighs.

Thanks for sharing. Take care and have a restful evening.

Do keep in touch!

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:15 AM

Unknown Dear ahoo

Thank you so much for your enlightening and insightful comment.

You are right in saying that if those in seats of power are not there for genuine purposes, then the whole system crumbles.

There are so many things which are wrong with the education system but few are ready to admit it or to rectify the situation.

Thank you for sharing this comment which I hope will stir more aflame to see and to work towards change.

God bless you and yours always, ahoo.

Shalom

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:20 AM

Unknown Dear Ben Lim

Thank you for your honest comments, brother. Take heart - every single comment is very precious because it shows that there are people who care, who share the same dream and who feel strongly about particular issues.

Comments may not be magical in effect but the impact is subtle, long lasting and remain in our minds.

I believe that comments will give us a sense of esprit de corps and a sense of belonging in letting us realize that hey - we are not alone in feeling this way and if many feel the same way, it means we are on the right tracl.

All the more then that the rakyat MUST be mobilized to effect change.

If those in power do not care or have the political will to make reforms, we can boot them out the democratic way via the ballot box.

To do that, there has to be some sense of solidarity and persuasion and I believe it is through comments.

I sincerely appreciate your comment which I am sure are shared by a good many. I hope I have convinced you to continue to voice your comments/thoughts/suggestions for the people of this land.

I for one would be glad to hear from you again.

Take care and thank you for your honesty and sincerity. So keep in touch.

God bless you and yours always.

Best wishes

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:21 AM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 12.32pm

Sadly, that is so true and is the beginning of the undoing of this nation.

Sighs

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:25 AM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 12.32p.m.

Thank you so much for sharing that wrt the state of teaching.

In the past, there used to be teachers on stand by who would stand in for those who had courses to attend.

When I was teaching in an international school years ago, each of us had to have a dossier for every class we were teaching so that in the event we were on MC or away for courses, the replacement teacher could just refer to the dossier and give the students the worksheets etc.

In that way, classroom time is put to good use. Evidently, such practices many not be the norm in the local schools.

The situation you shared is also evident in many other schools. Saddening indeed!

And what sort of mentality would that be breeding?

Take care and thanks for sharing. Do keep in touch.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 12:28 AM

Unknown Dear Stanley Goh and other commenters,

I do apologize for not being able to respond to your comment this evening. I have overseas visitors (former classmates) and was tied up with reunions. I will respond by tomorrow.

I am touched and also overwhelmed by the outpouring of your hearts, frustrations, observations and concerns.

I truly hope and pray that more will voice their concerns and that many others will be awakened and stirred to action by such insightful and candid thoughts from readers.

Take care and once again, thank you.

Best wishes

says:

July 22, 2010 at 2:11 PM

poh Dear Masterwordsmith,

The plantation industry is very short of cadet assistants, assistants, and managers for the plantations. Most of the experienced ones have gone over to Indonesia or retired. The industry is having difficulty in recruiting these personnel. So I suggest these grads write to the key players like Sime, KLK, IOI and UP.

By the way, you do not need a degree to become a planter. All that is required is deligence, a good attitude and an ablility to supervise and manage people (workers). But if you cannot wake up early for master at 6.30 am. and work till late evening you might as well not apply. If you are expecting to have public holidays according to the government gazette you can also disqualify yourself.

For the hardwork that you are required to perform, you will be paid quite handsomely. Managers and Senior Managers are reportedly paid 5 figures and bonuses of 5 to 6 months. Of course you have to pay very high tax too!

I am a planter and have been one since 1968. I must say this is one occupation where the employer pays you to walk and not the other way round.

says:

July 22, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Anonymous ' Terimakasih atas kunjungan anda'=
"Thangs you for come to fisiting us"

Got this from 'SeniorsAloud blog' !!!

says:

July 22, 2010 at 8:42 PM

Unknown Dear Stanley Goh

Many thanks for that brilliant take on this issue. I concur with you wholeheartedly because I was part of the cohort that went through the MCE and HSC (now known as SPM and STPM respectively). My friends and I went through the 'special' selection where those with mediocre results ended up with certain courses while the rest of us...sighs..

Still, regardless of that piece of paper, we were able to carve our niche in society because of meritocracy and not kulitfication.

Indeed there are two tiers of graduates or perhaps even three in existence! Mediocrity is condoned and if one is too smart ah...

I read in theSun today that Singapore is even luring our UEC holders with many attractive scholarships and UEC holders were previously rejected! Looks like the brain drain will escalate further.

Take care and have a good day! Thanks so much for sharing! Do keep in touch!

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 8:53 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 1.19pm

It is not so easy because English is an international language and many MNCs are operating in Malaysia. Also, what would happen to FDIs if investors knew of such a ruling?

Would not work, at least that is how I feel.

Thanks for sharing...Have a pleasant evening.

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:10 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 1.24p.m.

Thank you for your very sharp comment which hits the nail on the head squarely and firmly.

My niece is currently doing her masters at a local uni. When she was an undergrad, she had already shared with me about the predicament many faced wrt to teaching standards etc.

You are right. Our leaders must look at themselves in the mirror and answer to their Maker whether they are sincere in wanting to develop our nation and the human resources that we have....

Take care and thanks for sharing.

Do take care and please keep in touch.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Unknown Dear Mel fr Kl @ 2.08p.m.on July 21st

*tears*

What you have shared is the painful truth that we have to face. Some of us work so hard and yet have to face many obstacles whilst others have given crutches, bibs etc.

Even with crutches, they are fumbling and still have to be sent for rehabilitation.

How disgusting and sickening.

Thanks for sharing without mincing your words.

Take care and please keep in touch.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 2.18p.m.

Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey to give your children the very best that you and your wife could afford. Their success is testimony to the love and guidance that you and your missus have bestowed upon them. May other parents be inspired to do the same.

Indeed now the Singapore govt has opened their doors to UEC holders and we can expect more brain drain!

Thank you for sharing that meaningful quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt.

I doubt some quarters ever want to learn...Most saddening.

Take care and may God bless you and yours always. Do keep in touch. I would love to hear more of your thoughts and experiences.

Shalom

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:25 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 2.20p.m.

Sighs. My friends in industry and whose running their own businesses also tell me the same thing.

You are lucky in that you can pack up and leave. Some of us, including myself, do not have the means to do so and can only dream of a better tomorrow in our country...which is why I blog even as an old lady...

Thank you for sharing so honestly. May God bless and guide you and your family. Take care and do keep in touch!

Shalom

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 2.47 p.m.

Many thanks for that information. I always wondered why there are more and more foreigners in local universities and why many have not spoken up wrt this development. You have joined the dots for me and I will certainly read up more about this. Thanks so much for this lead!!!

Take care and do keep in touch.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 9:49 PM

Unknown Dear Arts Supporter

Thank you for your insightful and perceptive comment. As a communications and anthropology grad, I agree with you wholeheartedly!!! :-)

Years ago, I was a moderator for external exams and have marked scripts from Tanzania, Kenya and also Nigeria and they could write better than the students I taught in college then. Like you, I wonder how some foreign students feel when studying in local universities/colleges.

On a personal level, I strongly believe that one has to be both right-brain and left-brain centred. Any lopsided development does not augur well for us.

I encouraged my son to pursue a degree in music and you cannot imagine the negative reaction I received. Today, he is happy doing what he loves most. At the same time, I have come across some former students who were pressured to study medicine or applied sciences only to drop out after one or two years to pursue the course they love.

Idealistic me left the education industry because I just could not stomach rote learning and the death of creative thinking. Asking students to do any creative work or independent thinking was an arduous task and one which saw me harvesting plagiarized assignments sifted from the net and so on.

Poorer but happier, I spend my time reading and blogging and lament those times when I had students who could really think and enjoyed doing just that. Over twenty years down the road, those former students still keep in touch with me...I cannot say the same for students I taught in the last three years.

It is just NOT the same any more. The lack of character, depth of emotions etc...ah - those were the days indeed.

Definitely I am so happy that we are of the same mind!

DO take care and thanks for sharing. I truly enjoyed reading your thoughts and comments and hope that you will stay in touch.

God bless you and yours.

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:01 PM

Unknown Dear Poh

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us here. am not suggesting that we do away with those faculties but rather, to do some adjustments and to divert students to take those courses that can promise a better future. At the same time, students themselves should learn to be independent and look for jobs themselves or even to create opportunities for themselves!

I was in the education industry from the mid 1980s to 2005 and have seen the downward trend. Indeed the system has failed BUT those who could make a difference are not ready or not brave enough or unwilling to do the needful for reasons known to themselves and to God.

Education must never be politicised and the MOE must have more educators instead of politicians heading the ministry. Then perhaps we can see some differences emerging slowly...

Until then, this is the dream of an old lady...Sighs...But dreams keep me alive :-)

Thanks for sharing. Take care and have a restful evening. Do keep in touch!

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:19 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 4.11p.m.

Thank you so much for sharing that inspiring journey you took and the success of your children. I hope that one day, I will be able to share the same :-).

Your sacrifice has been worth it for you have been blessed with perseverance, determination and the resolve to make headway no matter what. Obviously, those characteristics have been passed on to your children via your sterling parenting which is why your children are where they are today.

I do agree with you that there is something seriously wrong with our education system. There is an overemphasis on rote learning, the slow death of thinking skills and also underdevelopment of communication abilities.

How can these students with those who have gone through a different system altogether?

Worse still, the authorities are intent on mollycoddling them to death!

Sighs.

Truly, when will they ever learn?

Take care and thanks so much for sharing so openly and in such an inspiring manner. God bless you and your family. Do keep in touch. I would love to hear more of your views.

Shalom

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:24 PM

Unknown Dear Semuanya OK Kot

Great to hear from you again. Yes, that is a very important observation which I also missed! Thanks for that reminder wrt to the other two points. Indeed, this is a topsy turvy version of Alice in Wonderland.

Take care and God bless. Do keep in touch.

Best wishes

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July 22, 2010 at 10:27 PM

Unknown Dear StraightTalking

Thank you so much for sharing such a brilliant comment.

You have examined the issue so meticulously and your observations reflect your professional experience and expertise.

May I humbly request your permission to repost this separately because I believe your insightful comment deserves more airing?

I will await your royal OK :-).

Thanks for sharing so passionately. Take care and have a restful evening.

God bless you and yours always.

Cheers

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July 22, 2010 at 10:32 PM

Unknown Dear Lazily Unemployed

Many thanks for drawing my attention to that post.

I will follow up on that over the next few days because it is an issue that is close to my heart. I have blogged about other research instruments used for a few opinion polls and am always concerned when results do not depict reality.

Thanks for sharing. Do keep in touch and God bless you and yours always.

Best wishes

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Unknown Dear StraightTalking

Thanks for your honesty and for reading! Take care and have a great evening.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 11.33pm

You have rightly highlighted key issues of concern that plague our education system. Thank you so much for being a caring Malaysian who wants to see changes in our country. I pray you will continue to inspire those around you and even here and other sites to awaken and see truth and reality in the right perspective.

Thank you so much for sharing. Take care and do keep in touch. God bless you and yours.

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:38 PM

Unknown Dear Poh

Many thanks for sharing that important information which is useful to many unemployed graduates or graduates looking for a change of work environment.

The plantation industry may not be as glamorous as other sectors but it certainly pays very well and one can harvest lots of practical knowledge and experience which will come in useful should one intend to strike out independently in the future.

Thanks so much for caring enough to share. May God continue to bless you at your workplace and in your life.

Take care and do keep in touch!

Cheers

says:

July 22, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Unknown Dear Anon @ 2.43p.m.

Perhaps the person was making typo errors :-) in a haste to move on somewhere else...

Take care and thanks for sharing. Have a pleasant evening and do keep in touch.

Cheers

says:

July 23, 2010 at 2:53 AM

Anonymous I've been to the seniorsAloud blog and found it to be a pretty cool place run by very nice folks. I particularly like the jukebox music link.

I can't wait to get older!!! :-)

StraightTalking

says:

July 23, 2010 at 3:06 AM

Unknown Dear StraightTalking

Yes, it is a nice blog that belongs to the former partner of a friend of mine :-).

Ah my friend, er...wonder if you read mu request for me wrt your permission to report your brilliant comment?

Thanks for swinging by again. Take care and have a good rest.

Cheers

says:

July 23, 2010 at 5:20 AM

Anonymous I'm flattered by your rating. Post it if you are not afraid my language scaring away your readers!

Henceforth, you don't need my consent anymore...just put it up if you think it deserves a wider reader audience.

StraightTalking