Cyberspace Can Be A Dangerous Place!

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

         I read the letter “Stranger danger” in the New Sunday Times recently with interest, and agree that parents must pay extra attention to their children, especially with the advent of the Internet and mobile apps.

In the previous century, computer-literate children made their families and friends proud and some even called them geniuses. However, feelings may not be the same when it comes to millennials who are young Internet experts. Parents may be worried that their children could be misusing the Internet and putting themselves at risk of becoming crime victims or suffering other undesired consequences.

            Many teenagers make friends with strangers online because they think having positive thoughts about others makes them optimists, while having suspicions makes them pessimists. That may sound fine, but they forget to think before they leap. These naïve youngsters have yet to realise that trust is not something they can build in the twinkling of an eye. 

             Trapped in a fantasy world, they find themselves falling in love at the first sight of a stranger’s profile picture while imagining a happily-ever-after ending and ignoring the possibility that their feelings might get them into trouble. Young girls, especially those who are experiencing romance for the first time, are often unaware that they could become the victims of sexual predators. They could be sexually assaulted or harassed, or worse, murdered.

There have been cases where people were conned by manipulative individuals whose objective is to make easy money. These culprits usually target working men and women who are lonely and desperate for companionship.

As for children, their exposure to issues on the Internet may bring them danger. They are not mature enough to understand and think rationally about what they see online, thus making them jump to conclusions. Some issues require critical thinking and some articles lack validity and reliability. It is feared that children will believe the wrong information, or worse, apply what they read on the Internet in real life. 

This explains why some children spend their free time discussing serious and sensitive issues such as politics, sex, race, religion and extremism. Misunderstandings and misinterpretations of these issues may result in risky actions and unwise decisions, like the 14-year-old teenager who was suspected of trying to join Islamic State last month.

Cyberspace is not a safe playground for our kids. They may go astray and get all of us in trouble, if they explore this borderless world without parental supervision.

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

22 March 2015

NURTURING TALENT (Give Introverted Students a Chance to Shine)

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

          Every year, students are made busy not only with their studies, but also with activities held at school, district, state and national levels. This is the time when teachers select candidates to represent the school in competitions. With co-curricular activities being as important as academic performance, active students may be viewed positively, as it encourages healthy competition and goal setting. But there lies an unhealthy trend beneath this annual phenomenon.

Based on the old criteria - strong academic results, clean disciplinary record and impressive co-curricular achievements - the same group of students are selected to join various competitions, and they are usually the ones who hold leadership positions. The fact that some teachers focus only on extrovert students and leave the introverts behind is disappointing, as the latter misses the chance to develop leadership skills.

          

         Every student should be given an opportunity to shine. Unfortunately, many schools set their goals wrong when they focus on winning, resulting in students with obvious potential being chosen.

      

          This practice may lead to a number of implications.

         When schools fail to identify students’ abilities and talent, it is unfair to both students and parents. Students who are left out will be denied equal opportunities to prove their undiscovered skills and talent, while parents, who believe that the school will help their children become individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced, may question the school’s ability to achieve this goal.

When teachers focus on a limited number of students to participate in all competitions, it may give these students a chance to stand out and make their school proud, but not all students can balance between studies and co-curricular activities. 

             

            It is also feared that when other students are paid less attention, they will start feeling unimportant and useless, with some of them developing an inferiority complex, while others cause disciplinary problems as they begin to understand that to receive attention is to show something others are not capable of doing. 

   

        It is the school’s responsibility to produce good quality students, but this objective will not be fully achieved if only a small percentage is allowed to be involved in activities and competitions.

To ensure that every student receives equal treatment and opportunity, I suggest teachers start recognising new talent who may even shine brighter than the sought-after students.

           

Courtesy of New Straits Times

18 March 2015

Worker Burnout

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

            Everyone deserves to enjoy a meaningful work experience, but unfortunately, many end up being stressed and even regretting choosing a certain career, leading to a love-hate relationship with their jobs.  

            I have come across people who blame those who fail to endure work pressure. Insensitive questions and hurtful remarks include, “Nobody forced you into the profession so why are you making a big fuss now?”  or “It is your fault for choosing the career in the first place, so stop crying over spilt milk”.

I believe that it is not right for us to treat our colleagues or friends who grouse over their heavy workloads in such a manner.  These burn out employees, who have too much on their plate, do not deserve our discouraging and demotivating reactions.   

            Showing less capability in coping with work pressure does not lessen one’s ability in one's profession. Thus, it is not a recommended option for employees to bid farewell to their profession and start with a new one, just because they mismanage their job stress. They should, instead, learn from experience and develop their skills and specialties, without losing their passion in the profession.

For a better work experience, employees need to ditch wrong attitudes and poor work behaviour. Procrastination, for instance, is a habit caused by lack of work ethics and professionalism. 

As for employers, they need to realise that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Hence, it is essential for them to set reasonable and achievable expectations, while believing that consistency and dedication will lead to victory, eventually.

Employers should avoid making employees bite off more than they can chew, as the latter may suffer from depression and mental problems. While trying to satisfy customers and hit the target set by their bosses, these employees may kill themselves gradually, silently and subconsciously. 

            Like children, adults need their own playtime to rejuvenate. Life is not always about making money. 

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

15 March 2015

All Students Will Shine with the Right Motivation

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

            I refer to the letter by Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan, “Leave no student behind” (NST, March 6), and would like to express my opinion regarding the matter.

            In the letter, Dr Vishalache agreed that we should not merely focus on high achievers, but also the ones who did not do well in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). However, from what I read on newspapers and watched on television, everyone was in the limelight. Students who scored excellent grades were complimented for their outstanding achievements, while humble achievers, including those who needed to deal with disasters, illnesses and disabilities, were also congratulated despite their satisfactory results. In addition, there were also reports on Orang Asli as well as financially-challenged students who could have dropped out but ended up making their family and society proud, even though they scored only a few As. 

            According to the writer, “there is no brouhaha over who got straight As” in New Zealand, which is a contradictory situation in Malaysia as, for decades, it has been a cultural phenomenon for the latter to report on excellent achievers. I feel that there is nothing wrong with that. It is our own and unique way of appreciating high achievers, even while we motivate future SPM candidates to excel in the examinations, too. As our young read stories about students who need to deal with trials and tribulations in life, especially those with special needs, in newspapers and on social media, it will teach them to be grateful and help them believe that where there is a will, there is a way.

             American author Mark Twain once said: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started”. Motivation is essential for learners as it is the first step to short- and long-term success. Without motivation, students will fail to see the importance of education and the roles it plays in their lives. 

             I suggest that SPM achievers, including those who do not score all As but impress their families and schools with remarkable improvement, should be given the opportunity to carry out sharing sessions, preferably at their respective schools, districts or states, on their experience to help spur others to excel. It is also recommended that these motivated students be invited for radio or television interviews to discuss their bittersweet journey in achieving their goals.

            However, students should also be encouraged to develop their intrinsic motivation and they should not be put under extrinsic pressure that focuses on competition as well as parental and society’s expectations. 

           I have a friend who recently shared a story of a female student who struggled with cancer while preparing for the SPM examination last year. Despite her serious health problems, her parents still set high expectations, pushing her to being an all-rounder. Although she scored 7As, she was scolded by her parents for not meeting their unreasonable expectations. 

            Teenagers, no matter how rebellious or problematic they are, will shine if they are motivated in the right way. Otherwise, the two SPM candidates of Henry Gurney School would not have scored 8As, as reported recently. And that is because we should not leave no student behind in their quest to better themselves. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

9 March 2015

CHILDREN [They are Gifts from God, Not a Burden]

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

The day one ties the knot is a sweet moment no groom or bride will forget, but will this sweetness sustain and grow sweeter each day? Newlyweds think they are ready to become somebody’s spouse and a child’s parent, but how confident and prepared are they in taking responsibility and facing sour and bitter phases of marriage?

Marriage is about starting a family and being prepared for a greater challenge – raising children with somebody with a different personality, behaviour and intelligence. Parents need to realise that raising a child requires skill, patience, determination and endurance. They may stumble along the way, especially if their children are differently abled, but will that make or break their spirit? Emotional parents may be unable to deal with the pressure and this is why children are abused and loathed.

Not only do some parents lack parental skills, they sometimes fail to manage their stress. It is deemed essential for working parents to be available at home. To deal with bosses with high expectations and a heavy workload is not easy, but it is not impossible.  Parents should do their best to make themselves available at home to spend some quality time with their children.

It is inevitable that parents face problems at work, but they should know their failure to stop thinking about problems may lead to consequences at home. This is when a simple joke will not make them happy, but angry; a trivial mistake may result in irrelevant and excessive punishment that could affect their children physically, emotionally and mentally.  

Some children may make calls to Childline for help and solutions, but this may not always be the way out. There may be miscommunication when a child in distress reports to the person on duty. As a result, these children will be trapped in a place filled pressure, torture, boredom and uncertainty.

Children are gifts from God. They should not be treated as a burden, but as responsibilities. Make them feel respectful, not fearful.

Roman writer Terence once said: “It is better to bind your children to you by a feeling of respect and by gentleness than by fear.”

Courtesy of New Sunday Times

1 March 2015

ENGLISH LITERATURE (Include Classics in Syllabus)

The writer (in black and white) believes that
a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey.

            This year, there have been changes in the selection of literature texts for English Language (1119) and I would like to express my opinions regarding the new texts selected for poems, short stories, dramas and novels.

            For the changes made for Forms Four and Form Five (effective next year), I appreciate the initiative to include texts by authors from various cultural backgrounds and nationalities. However, I feel that there should also be the inclusion of distinguished authors from the 18^th, 19^th or early 20^th century, whose literary works have stood the test of time and have inspired authors in the present day.

            In the case of Literature in English (2205) - an elective subject with a small number of candidates - the syllabus includes the play The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare, which is a good effort in introducing students to his works. Considering the fact that literature is only part of 1119 – a compulsory subject for all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia candidates – it may be less relevant to include Shakespeare’s plays in the literature component, and selecting from his repertoire of 154 sonnets would make more sense.

            In the world of literature, legendary authors including Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, William Butler Yeats and E.E. Cummings, are remembered for their exceptionally great quality of work, with deep meanings, impressive styles of writing and strong messages. In appreciating classic works of literature, learners are able to develop Higher Order Thinking Skills, which is the focus of our education system today, as they immerse themselves in the literary works.

            I believe that the combination of ancient and modern texts will help learners open their mind on issues and values in life. Literature serves as a platform for learners to develop background knowledge, express thoughts and relate to personal experiences. It could even be a form of therapy for students who live a hard life due to poverty, disabilities and family problems. By understanding a poem or a short story, students not only stand a good chance to score well in the literature section, but will also learn about the relationship between cause and effect, as well as the dos and don’ts in life, which would benefit them.

              However, English teachers may face challenges in arousing learners’ interest in literature, especially when dealing with figurative languages in poetry. This is a chance for teachers to expand their creativity and challenge their ability to make students love, instead of loathe, literature. 

               There is a remedy for every difficulty. If unfamiliar words in literary texts make students lose interest, teachers can simplify them. If learning literature in the classroom bores students, take them outdoors. If students find it hard to understand themes and issues in the texts, relate the topics to a local context. And, if students keep giving excuses not to learn literature, give them reasons to do so.

            The classics may give learners a new outlook on life. To connect to a world and time that they have been disconnected from is a form of escapism that leads to motivation, inspiration, satisfaction and realisation. 

Courtesy of New Straits Times

23 February 2015

SEX EDUCATION

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

            Irish author George Bernard Shaw once said: “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”.

            The suggestion by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to start sex education next year, with male teenagers aged 16 and above being the target group, is a daring move, considering the country’s religious and cultural sensitivities. It will be a great challenge to explain the rationality and relevancy of the implementation to the community and parents, especially, while students may experience a “culture shock” when they are first introduced to sex education. It may not guarantee immediate results but I believe with continuous effort and support by the government and the community, the policy will eventually bear fruit.

            We have heard many incidents involving male teenagers, who commit sexual offences over the years. The fact that boys reach their puberty later than girls may be a reason some boys make immature decisions that result in sex crimes, including rape and sexual harassment. The consequences are undesirable, distressing and dreadful. Teenage offenders charged with sex crimes will have a disciplinary blemish on their record and will face the law for their actions. They will also tarnish the good name of their families and schools, while the victims may suffer emotional and mental trauma.

            With the advent of technology, teenagers can easily gain access to websites with inappropriate content. It is a guilty pleasure for teenagers, who are left unmonitored by parents, to frequently visit these websites, and even download sex clips, which will lead to negative consequences. If sex education is implemented, male teenagers will get a chance to increase awareness regarding human sexuality. The syllabus should touch on the effects of engaging in sexual intercourse at a young age, masturbation and pornography. Male teens should know that the short- and long-term effects affect their health, academic performance, developmental growth as well as the perception and impression of others towards them.

            Sex education is important to both male and female teenagers. However, boys have always been left out when it comes to providing information regarding hormones or sexual anatomy, for instance. They are expected to rely solely on few topics in science subjects at school, which are not holistic. Girls, on the other hand, usually receive informal education from female family members regarding sexuality, menstruation and risk, even before they finish primary school. Thus, sex education in schools may be able to give male teenagers their fair share of information they need to know.

            Also, the inclusion of sex education in schools could help parents who may not be comfortable or face difficulty to discuss sex-related topics with their children. Consequently, children will make personal effort to gain understanding about human sexuality. This initiative may pose a risk to teenagers, especially with the influence of dirty-minded peers who could lure into unhealthy habits.

            Implementing sex education in schools means applying adopt-and-adapt concept. We adopt a Western approach in our learning culture with the hope that learners, teachers, parents and other members of society can adapt with the new change. Everything has its pros and cons, but there’s no harm trying.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

16 February 2015