Emily
We had to leave Sik this morning, but could not go without a final thank you visit to SMK Agama Sik. After we sat in on a presentation assembly for the A students (reinforcement of our study focus!!), Nabihah led us on a school tour, starting with an open ICT class. With the exception of form 6 students, all take ICT class and they have good, up-to-date versions of Word, PowerPoint and Excel, but their internet access is limited to one-person-at-a-time access, which only reinforces why it is vital to keep up the relationships that we’ve formed, and continue to strengthen them over online networks. The classroom environments that we observed were productive and happy, and this energy resonated through the grounds in the painted messages of encouragement among the vegetable gardens and outside sport courts. It seemed that the electronic panel counting down the days until exams didn’t fit with the otherwise relaxed climate the school was trying to set. The conclusion of the tour meant more photos and then off to SMK Kebangsaan, the only Islamic school that we were set to visit. After a choral speaking performance and a really outstanding performance from the school’s boy band, we had a discussion with the students. The students very enthusiastically asked questions and gave examples of the differences between the Malaysian and the Australian education system’s take on developing holistic students, focus on exams and subject choice. Although there was an element of religious focus in the principal’s address to the assembly, nothing of the curriculum was apparently changed by the non-secular nature of the school. One of the most inspiring things about this visit was gaining so much understanding about other people’s lives through direct experience with their culture, and relying on this rather than communicating in English as the only method of exchanging information.
Duncan
Our visit to Sik had its own closing ceremony! SMK Sik again stole the show, putting on a full school assembly and a tour complete with classroom observations. This was followed by a short visit to SMK (A) Sik, a nearby Islamic school. Their own assembly showed off musical and choral speaking talents, whilst giving us the opportunity to discuss issues with students from the lectern and answer their questions about the Australian education system. We found that students were much more willing to engage in this format than on Friday night. It was great to hear a clash of opinions, mainly about PPSMI and exam-based assessment. It made me realise how important our mission really is. We are dealing with topics and debates that affect these students in the most direct way imaginable. Our discussions with students, starting with those at Sunshine’s school, have been my inspiration throughout the trip. You can argue a point as much as you like and appreciate its intellectual value, but once you see its place at a grassroots level, it means so much more to you. Thanks to both SMK Sik and SMK (A) Sik for their tremendous hospitality for which we can never be too grateful. Our arrival back at our home in KL prompted a late-night regrouping session. We gathered our thoughts and prioritised the issues we wanted to raise with the DPM. A much-needed sleep followed.
Farhan
3 days in Sik was not enough. The excitement and enjoyment we had just seemed to keep on evolving from day to day. As much as we don’t want to leave Sik, we thought the experience that we had gained was very unique and had to leave regardless. Prior to the departure from Alor Setar airport, we had an unforgettable visit to SMKA Sik. SMKA Sik was one of the religious schools in Kedah and in Malaysia. It seemed to be really relevant as we had an issue investigated regarding secular vs non secular schools and SMKA Sik, being an Islamic school represented the non-secular schools. Prior to the visit there, our perspective towards the non-secular school i.e. the Islamic schools in Malaysia were different after we were introduced to the system of education in their school, is actually very similar to the secular schools education. The only difference is that the Islamic schools had more subjects and choice on the subject of Islam itself. Our unjustified perspective prior to the visit was based on statistics of Islamic students from non-secular schools who qualify for local Universities less in comparison with the secular schools which is about more than 90 percent. In a multi religious nation in which the Malay majority barely outnumber the other races, it was quite a disgrace back then. What we had failed to see that, the statistics and issues arose were measured 9 years ago, it just seems that that is no longer the issue in our current society as the non-religious schools are not anymore hindering in progress towards a globalized citizen.
Sunshine
Yesterday, we left Sik Inn early at 7 a.m. for one last visit to Nabihah's school, and then on to SMK Agama Sik(the neighbouring Islamic school) .At Nabihah's school we were there in time for the formal assembly of the week. After speeches from the school head's, and a quick photo session, we were taken on a tour around the school compound. It was a pity we couldn't stay there longer as we were really tight for time. Our visit to SMK A Sik was nothing like what I expected it to be. I assumed it would be a really "ulu" rural school, but I got quite a shock when I saw the building when we arrived. I found out that this school was only 10 years old, and it was a Smart School and a Cluster school. We were escorted into the very modern (and air-conditioned) hall for speeches and performances. It kick-started with a very creative choral speaking performance entitled "Important people in our lives" followed by a fantastic Nasyid performance by the school Nasyid group who call themselves Hubb( "Love " in Arabic) . The talent displayed by the Nasyid group left all of us with our jaws hanging open- the vocal quality and harmonizing was pitch perfect and the background music of traditional drums had all of us tapping our feet with the rythm.
Following that, Steve gave a short introductory about the project to the 30 students present and then us four panellists talked about the particular subjects that caught our attention through the course of our Learning Journey. It was impressive to hear some of the opinions of the students and field some of the questions they posed to us. We had to cut short the discussion and were rushed off to lunch. Here, I got the opportunity to speak with some of the teachers and ask questions. I gathered too, that teacher’s personally felt that the teaching of Maths and Science is easier in English as opposed to Malay.
Saying goodbye was a very sad thing especially for Nabihah. She cried as we were leaving. I was quite upset to have to leave such a beautiful, happy place. Memories of Kedah and all our experiences there (especially with the community ) will always be something close to my heart.
We arrived back at Rainforest again at 6.30pm and after an hour break, we went to meet Tom Meyer and his father Gary( a US diplomat in Bangkok) at Central Market for dinner. It was very nice talking to them about our excursions and activities. We had a rather relaxing time shopping there afterward, then headed back to the hotel for some intense work to prepare for our interview with the Education Minister/Deputy Prime Minister the next day. For me, as much as fatigue was a factor, I think this was one of the better meetings we've had together. We discussed and condensed our topics and even managed to prepare a bit more for the forum. We then wrapped up and then off to bed!
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