NST Online: Topnews
NST Online: Topnews |
| A level higher for sports education Posted: 14 Oct 2011 09:57 PM PDT 2011/10/15 SEREMBAN: Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was the government's aim to bring the nation's education to a level of "par excellence" in line with its vision of producing a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce by 2020. Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said excuses like lack of facilities and teachers were no longer acceptable as the government had taken steps to overcome these with the launch of its School Improvement Programme last year. "Just look at SK Ulu Lubai in Limbang, Sarawak. Despite its location in such an interior region and with only 100 students, the school is among the high performing ones in the country.
Speaking at an academic dialogue with teachers, here, today, he said various other initiatives had also been taken towards achieving educational excellence, including the introduction of the Linus programme in primary schools last year. The aim of the Linus programme is to assist students who were weak in reading, writing and counting.
Two other designated teachers training institutes, the Perlis Teachers Training Institute and the Tun Abdul Razak Teachers Training Institute in Sarawak were also simultaneously upgraded as Sports Teachers Training Institutes during the launch. "At present, only about 20 - 30 per cent of our workforce is skilled, while the others are mostly SPM holders who did not further their education.
He said teachers must be highly skilled and qualified and able to effectively and creatively pass on knowledge, while parents must also play a significant part in shaping their childrens' future. "Under the new budget (2012), the government has allocated RM80 million for about 20,000 teachers who are diploma holders to upgrade themselves and obtain a degree," he added. Earlier in his speech, Muhyiddin said the launch of the Sports Teachers Training Institutes were in line with the government's one student, one sport policy. "Each student must participate in at least one sport in school. This would help make the student more well-rounded, disciplined and self-confident, while also enhancing racial integration," he said. Meanwhile, during the dialogue session with teachers, he dismissed claims that the Education Ministry practiced favouritism when awarding recognition to certain schools and that it was based solely on a school's achievements. "It is unfair to make these allegations when there is no such proof. If anyone has proof that our system has been manipulated, then please give it to me and I will personally look into it," he said. He also said his ministry was prepared to look into a proposal that only students who attended 80 per cent of classes during the academic year be allowed to sit for the SPM examinations.
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| Select committee may consider new polls system Posted: 14 Oct 2011 11:42 AM PDT 2011/10/15 KUALA LUMPUR: Having a different system of election is one of the main issues which the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms will explore. Its member, P. Kamalanathan, said the idea of having a different system was one of the five terms of reference which the committee received. The others are on researching the rules and laws on elections, reviewing the electoral process, improving the electoral roll and strengthening the Election Commission's functions and requirements.
Kamalanathan said the current system determined the winner as the one with the most number of votes, but he may not necessarily get more than 50 per cent of the votes in a multi-cornered fight. "He may get only 30 to 40 per cent of the votes, but he will be declared the winner as he had the most votes."
"We don't want to limit ourselves and want out-of-the-box solutions for issues raised by the parties." Kamalanathan said the recommendations from the committee might not be implemented immediately as there must be a trial period for them to be tested.
Its chairman, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh Alhabshi, said the announcement was good for the people. In their first meeting on Wednesday, committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili announced the series of public hearings nationwide. However. Syed Ibrahim expressed his doubts on whether the committee would have time to find ways to improve election process in the country. "The people are under the impression that the committee was set up to improve the conduct of elections in the next general election," he said. The committee comprises nine members of parliament -- five from Barisan Nasional, three from the opposition, and one independent MP. The BN MPs are Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit), Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (Kangar) and Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn (Alor Gajah). The MPs from the opposition are Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali (Gombak), DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke (Rasah) and Pas election director Dr Hatta Ramli (Kuala Krai). Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong is the representative for the independent bloc. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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