THE idea of abolishing the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) exams shouldn’t have taken us by surprise when Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced it in June 2010. Those who follow developments in the Education Ministry might recall that plans to have school-based assessments instead of centralised exams […]
schools
Chinese medium schools to the rescue
By Koh Lay ChinIN this second of a four-part series on education, The Nut Graph attempts to examine the problems that have become entrenched in the national school system. While public schools were reliable and multi-racial centres of education for Malaysian children not too long ago, today, parents who can afford it are sending their children to private […]
Will the Penan survive?
By Koh Lay ChinPenan child EIGHT hours in a four-by-four, and no sleep. One is forced to pay quite a bit of attention to flashing scenes of logging roads outside. These lead to Sarawak’s hinterland where the Penan communities and other indigenous groups live. I had been unable to get a flight on a small plane from Miri […]
Language decision for math & science final: Muhyiddin
PUTRAJAYA, 16 July 2009: The cabinet’s decision to abolish the teaching of science and mathematics in English is final, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today. The deputy prime minister said although there were calls for the policy to be retained at the secondary school level, the government must be consistent in its stand not to […]
Allow children with no birth certs to attend school
By Dr Asharuddin AhmadACCORDING to Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, only children with birth certificates are entitled to subsidised education, while those without birth certificates are treated as foreigners, and as such, have to pay much higher school fees. While the reality of the situation dictates that children without birth certificates are not Malaysian, an interim solution […]
Special rural bus service to curtail mat rempit
PUTRAJAYA, 13 May 2009: The Road Safety Department and the Education Ministry have agreed in principle to introduce a special rural school bus service to curtail the use of motorcycles by students. The department’s director-general, Datuk Suret Singh, said the mechanics of introducing such a service were now being studied and a decision was expected […]
Hishammuddin questions police report by Gapena
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Feb 2009: Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has questioned the police report lodged by the national writers association, Gapena, on the policy to teach mathematics and science in English. “We have been implementing the policy since six years ago, even before I was appointed the education minister. “So we are a […]
Students with no birth certs can enrol in schools
TAWAU, 11 Feb 2009: Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said students who have no birth certificates can still enrol in secondary schools provided one of the parents was a Malaysian citizen. He said the problem should not prevent students from pursuing education as it would impact their learning process. “If it is some form […]
Education Ministry launches Palestinian fund
PUTRAJAYA, 22 Jan 2009: The Education Ministry today launched a Humanitarian Fund for the Palestine People in conjunction with the launch of the “One Malaysia, One Voice” campaign aimed at instilling love for peace, and hatred for violence among students. Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said in conjunction with the campaign which runs until […]
Floods in Sarawak may worsen
KUCHING, 12 Jan 2009: Floods in Sarawak may worsen today if rain continues to fall in the upper reaches of Sungai Sarawak and coincides with the high tide occurring at about 7pm, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said. He said if the situation prevailed, more areas would be inundated, especially […]