CURIOSITY (Nurture Critical Thinking In Young)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            Christmas is in the air and for Christians around the world, it is the season of merriment, togetherness and prosperity. While adults are busy preparing for the festival, children are excited about unwrapping presents. And curious kids will be waiting under the Christmas tree or near a chimney, wondering, “Will Santa Clause really come down?

            When children ask questions, they are curious. This is the focus of the poem I Wonder by Jeannie Kirby. In the poem, the inquisitive child is impressed with the wonders of nature and he wishes there is an explanation for the extraordinary ‘work of art’. These children are young thinkers.

            I read Ahmad Faizuddin’s letter “Producing intellectual heroes” (NST, Dec 19) with pleasure, and agree geniuses are made, not born. When the sky is the limit, children are free to imagine and to expand their creativity. To encourage critical thinking, children should be raised in an environment that helps them think.

Bright children are produced by smart parents, who cultivate a reading culture at home. However, this practice should go beyond classic choices, including Aesop’s fables and Hans Anderson tales or Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. Children born in the millennium may be more interested in Harry Potter series or perhaps, Roald Dahl’s collection of short stories.

Reading fiction helps children activate their thinking skills and make assumptions during the process. When children learn the reading habit early, they will grow up being avid readers who are passionate about learning and sharing new ideas. In fact, reading made the characters Will Hunting in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting and Hermioni Granger in Harry Potter  geniuses.

            Since all read and no play makes a child’s life less intriguing, parents should create a balance between reading and playing by introducing their children to fun, yet beneficial games such as Monopoly, Minecraft or chess. These games teach them to make decisions and be confident. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

23 December 2014

Juvenile Crime (Some friends do more harm)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            In today’s world, facts surprise us. Crime statistics show that from 2013 to 2014, those aged between 16 and 18 were the highest number to be arrested for various violent and property crimes. We may not have seen this coming, but teenagers are getting harder to control. And if steps are not taken, chances are, those under 16 will surprise us with more cases in the future.

            Technology may be a contributing factor to juvenile crime, but parental and peer influence are the main reasons. Some parents believe that it is impossible for their children to be involved in crime, considering their good family background and the children’s exemplary behaviour at home. But they do not realise that their children’s good manners may be an act. Some think that children will be mature enough to differentiate between right and wrong at 13 or 15, but the statistics prove otherwise.

            Parents who send their offspring to hostels expect positive changes in their children given that only selected students are given the privilege of staying at the hostel. But students may subconsciously adopt bad habits as they adapt to their new surroundings. Students who have been influenced to bully and smoke, for instance, risk becoming thugs or drug addicts.       

            As a former hostel warden, I have come across many parents who were surprised by their children’s disciplinary record. Some parents felt sorry for the trouble their children had caused, while others refused to believe that their children misbehaved behind their backs. For the latter situation, problems are likely to become worse, and at one point, out of control.   

Serious crimes usually start with small acts, but many parents regard these acts as naughty or normal behaviour of schoolchildren. For example, children with a habit of stealing may end up being involved in robberies. Students who bribe others may be involved in corruption later, while those who only fight for "fun" may fight for real someday. These small acts can make a big difference, and the difference is not desirable.

Believe it or not, some schoolchildren think that money matters more than their studies, and they dream of owning a lot of money early. I once had to deal with 13-year-old boy of a well-off family, who confessed that he wanted to leave school because he found making money exciting. When his wish was not granted, he began to cause more trouble with the hope that he would be expelled.

Children nowadays can be desperate for money. As a result, students may resort to extortion, snatch thefts and house break-ins.

It is a challenging task to help teenagers resist the bad influences around them. While teachers try their best to educate today’s generation, parents need to ensure who their children’s "best friends forever" (BFF) are because these BFFs may be friendly foes who kill in silence.

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

21 December 2014

AFF CUP (Hooligans Should Pay Dearly)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            In the past few months, several Malaysian athletes have failed doping tests, and while we are still trying to face the fact that that some athletes may be cheaters, we need to also realise that some football fans are hooligans. This follows the incident during the semi-final match of the Asean Football Federation Cup between Malaysia and Vietnam recently.

            It is frustrating that some seem proud to behave in an unruly manner in public and worse, the victims came from a different country. These people have tarnished the country’s good name and reputation through their insensitive acts. It is indeed embarrassing and the most violent incident ever recorded in the competition, as described by the organisers.

            It is true that a few bad apples should not affect the quality of other apples in the basket, but there are apparently more people in the country who think that it is okay to be bad, as gangsterism is becoming the country’s main social ill. Bullying has taken place in schools, on the roads, on the Internet and now, in the spectators’ seats. Nowadays, things happen before we know it so we need to act immediately.   

            As it is too late for a formal education, those charged with committing violence should be jailed for a long period of time. They may be fined, but money is sometimes not a problem for them, so many get away without learning their lesson. 

          Counseling sessions, too, may be necessary to help these criminals with self-reflection and repentance. They need to undergo proper treatment and rehabilitation so that they will not repeat their crime.

It is also time the authorities consider severe punishment for juvenile delinquents as more teenagers are turning to gangsterism/ They see being wild and dangerous as a lifestyle. This issue should be properly addressed as it risks both the bullies and the victims’ lives as well as create chaos in society.

            Let us keep cheering for our athletes without going overboard or overreacting. To be rude is not Malaysian and to be overly emotional will never make us better supporters.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

19 December 2014

Many Still Lack Hygienic Practices

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            The article “Toilet condition defines society’s culture” (NST, Dec 12) by Datuk Dr 
Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid should be an eye opener to all of us, as many still perceive toilets as being dirty places that deserve less priority.

            In the old days, toilets were nowhere to be found, and thinking about how our great-grandparents had lived without toilets would make us burst into laughter or sneer at how unlikely the situation may seem. 

          We are fortunate to live in the modern era, as our lives have been made easy with the availability of toilets. However, such advancements have, unfortunately, failed to civilize the minds and attitudes of many, who use toilets carelessly.

            Some say that those who take great care of their home toilets have good hygiene, and the theory is possibly true. In reality, there are many homes with spotless kitchens, clean living rooms and neat bedrooms, but the toilets are not as well managed as the other areas in the house. This is a common situation that leaves visitors flabbergasted and disappointed.

            In some recreational parks, filling stations and bus stations, public restrooms are either not properly managed or left unattended. The lack of supervision by the authorities and users’ bad habits are factors to these toilets’ dreadful condition. 

          When smokers puff away in restroom stalls, they do not just drop cigarettes on the floor, but also leave the place smelling of smoke. In addition, toilet bowls have become places where some people discard tissue paper and wrappers, thus, clogging them. And when somebody forgets to flush, the whole place will reek of unpleasant odour, torturing the next user.

            Vandalism, too, has made public restrooms less convenient to users. The damage includes broken mirrors and door latches, as well as graffiti on the walls. With some public restrooms charging entry fees, users may feel that the fee is not worth it.

Cleanliness should be made a cultural habit.

            The same situation happens in schools. The toilets are in poor condition, mostly because students break the rules. Not only do misbehaving students litter and cause water to overflow when they do not turn off the faucets, but they also break down cubicle doors.

       It is hard for the cleaners to keep toilets clean, especially in large schools. As a result, school toilets are smelly, filthy and wet most of the time.    

            To prevent the situation from deteriorating, every school needs to educate students on the importance of sanitation and good hygiene. As for public toilets, frequent checks by the authorities may help, while close-circuit television cameras could be installed.

            Together, let us make cleanliness a cultural habit. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

18 December 2014

UNITY (Lat Shows Us The Way To Live In Harmony)

The writer (middle) believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

            Promoting our cultural identity and unity through simple, yet meaningful cartoons for five decades has earned our patriotic cartoonist Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, fondly known as Lat, the 2014 Merdeka Award, making his effort worth it.

Lat has immersed in his art of unity through cartoons promoting cultural pluralism. His achievement teaches us that with continuous effort, we will achieve our goals. He has made cartoons an effective way to foster unity, respect and understanding among the ethnic groups in the country. 

Within a single image, it is enough to portray the beauty of being Malaysians while the priceless messages and inspiring humour in the picture invite every Malaysian to stay united and be happy as one big family.

            As a caring and thoughtful citizen, Lat is proud and honoured to carry out his duty in promoting unity. What about us? Have we put any effort in strengthening racial integration? Or have we been individualistic citizens who show little care to other people?

Truth be told, sharing has the power to bring one race closer to another but Malaysians, unfortunately, do not share much between races. People from different races do not engage in social interaction and this practice will only widen racial gaps and encourage racial singularity.

When we have the chance to share, we do not make use of the chance wisely. Now, let us think and reflect.

 We share the same country but are we aware of racial conflicts happening in a different state? We share the same workplace but how comfortable and sincere are we when working with other colleagues of different races? We share the same neighbourhood, but do we treat our neighbours, regardless of races and religions, the same? Our children share the same school with other races, but do they mix when they form a study group or a football team? Or do they compete against each other?

Chances are the only racial interactions happen when we order food in restaurants, pay bills at counters, seek loans from bank officers, get medical treatment in a hospital, or repair cars in workshops, in which the persons in charge are of different races and we have no choice. If that is the situation, we just lose the privilege of living in a multicultural and multiracial society.

We need to preserve our unity and harmony by developing mutual respect.

It is time for us to communicate with each other.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

15 December 2014

DROPOUTS (Counsel, Identify Students' Problems)

            In his article “Second chance for education ‘leftovers’” (NST, Dec 1), Dr.Azhari Karim suggests that dropouts be grouped into streams to match their intelligence and skills competencies in an effort to produce more manpower in different fields. 

          It is undeniable that the idea will help both the dropouts and the country’s economic growth, but this should not be an excuse for students to drop out. It may be challenging to reduce the number of dropouts in universities or colleges, but schoolchildren must finish their secondary education by any means.

Why do students leave school in the first place? The following scenarios may be the causes of the problem.

Offenders agree that rules are meant to be broken. When this practice turns into a habit, ruler breakers need to face the music since all reminders and warnings have, unfortunately, fallen on deaf ears. As a consequence, these students face detentions, suspension and expulsion that force them to leave school.

Peer pressure and social problems are other contributing factors to students dropping out of school. Some male students can be influenced by gangs, which promise them power and protection once they confirm their membership. The victims will begin to lose interest in studies as they engage in unhealthy activities like smoking, truancy and vandalism and later serious and violent crimes, including burglary, fighting and drug abuse.

As for female students, some easily fall for the sweet promises of men they hardly know, not realising that looks can be deceiving. They fall into the trap, resulting in teenage pregnancy and leave school out of embarrassment and depression.

            Some students neglect their studies to work part-time after school, on weekends or during school breaks, at the car wash, fast-food restaurants and filling stations. Some work for fun while others need to support their families. Their insatiable desire for money makes them decide to leave school.  

            While children on the other side of the world still struggle to receive an education, it is pathetic that some of us fail to appreciate the privilege of living in a country where no child is denied the right to go to school.

            Every child deserves an education. Before it is too late, we need to save our children from dropping out of school. School counselors may need to identify problematic students and carry out group or personal counseling sessions, depending on situations, to reduce the number of dropouts.

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
makes life a wonderful journey.

Truth be told, problematic students are not losers. Some rule breakers are actually bright students trapped in family problems, while others may be good in sports or have hidden talents and skills. These qualities should not be overlooked because of their disciplinary records. They may look aggressive and rude but their vulnerable side longs for attention and affection, as well as a place to belong.

Many have yet to realise that we need education just like we need food, clothing and shelter.  

Courtesy of New Straits Times

13 December 2014

Cutting Education Fund Will Push Students To Excel

            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.

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