With the announcement by the Terengganu government regarding the cut in the education fund from next year,
students and parents are urged to start looking for other alternatives.
This decision can be considered a daring move by Menteri
Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, who has held the position for seven months
now, given that education was a priority for the state in the previous
years, and providing students with financial support to pursue their tertiary
education abroad, has been helpful to students and parents.
According to the news report “Terengganu to cut study
fund for development” (NST, Dec 3), the state will apply a stricter system, in
which selection will be based on merit. This means that students who plan for
overseas studies will face greater competition to get a scholarship from the
state government.
When changes are made, challenges await.
Students need to increase their effort not only academically, but also in co-curricular
activities. They must keep their disciplinary record clean and develop their leadership
skills by joining student organisations in school. They also need
to gain confidence in communication and
decision-making.
In addition, students need to be proficient in English,
which may be a bigger challenge for many in the state. To have a good
command of English is not a bonus, but rather a must for every applicant. By
scoring an A for English in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination is not
enough to help high achievers to be in the shortlist,
unless they speak fluent English.
Although students can apply for loans or scholarships
from other sources, including Public Service Department (PSD) and Mara, competition is tougher and chances are slimmer, making everyone fight for a limited
quota.
One positive effect from the decision to cut the
education fund is the possibility of students and parents changing their
attitude. Students may take education more seriously and parents will help
their children excel by giving more support.
This will help produce more individuals with
higher quality each year.
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| The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey. |
To quote Ralph
Waldo Emerson: “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else,
and for everything you gain, you lose something else.”
Terengganu
may have given up its development for education but with the state
revising its financial management, the people can look forward to better development to make
Terengganu a happier home for its people as well as a sought-after holiday
destination for local and international visitors.
It
is hoped that the state government can come up with a clear, strong and
convincing explanation to justify its decision.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
10 December 2014
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