Sunshine’s journal
Today we had a very full day. We woke up bright and early at 8 this morning and went for breakfast about half an hour later. Emily, Farhan, Duncan and I then started working on compiling questions for our interview with Prof. Robin Pollard based on the sets of generic questions each of us put together right before we began the Learning Journey here. At one point, Steve asked me to come up with a question based on what I had been reading right then and there and I must admit it was quite a challenge for me to think on the spot as well as phrase the questions accurately and sensitively. Nothing I've ever done in school before.
After that, we left to Farhan's school in Putrajaya and arrived there at about 11a.m.. We were warmly greeted by a host of teacher's as well as charming students. At the conference room, the Headmaster of SMK Sultan Alam Shah, Tn Hj.Kamaludin gave an opening speech welcoming us, followed by an immensely captivating multimedia presentation of the school. It was evident that SAS is very well known for its high achievements in the sporting world as well as its wind orchestra. Another thing I didn't know about the school was that it was the first school in the country that provided Form 6 or STPM (also known as the Malaysian Higher School Certificate) qualification. After the presentation, we began our discussion. Unlike the discussion that took place in my school yesterday, today's discussion started off on a more formal and serious note. We ran through the topics we had already discussed and were investigating with the SAS boys and as discussions progressed, we managed to delve into new topics such as single sex and co-ed schools and also the role of teacher's in educating the future generation. The subject of single sex and co-ed schools was quite a debate as there were many pro's and con's of both systems so it was hard to determine which method provided a more conducive learning environment. I met up with a mutual friend, Hafiz who used to be a student from SMK Damansara Jaya which happens to be very close to where I stay and my school is affiliated with it in many activities. After the discussion, he and I were comparing schools and I had the liberty of asking how our schools differed from SAS. One thing he really pointed out was that my school and his former school had a reputation for being very cliquey amongst students. He highlighted the fact that students only mixed with others within their own ethnicity and many opportunities were offered to certain students from certain cliques in the school; an observation I have noticed before and very much agree with. We had lunch at the school and departed for Rainforest BnB right after.
At 4.15 p.m. on the dot, we headed off to Taylor's Subang Jaya Campus along with Amy Gonzalvis from the Australian High Commission for a meeting with the Principal of Taylor's College and many of the Head's of various departments involving the Pre-University courses offered. I was stunned to see how many leaders and decision makers of the University College had come to attend our chat. Again, we were given a multimedia presentation of what Taylor's is all about and also the new impressive Lakeside Campus with its many facilities. We began our discussion and naturally having heard so much of Taylor's from my seniors and friends, I was very keen to know what these important people had to say about the topic we were investigating. Something I found interesting was the fact that students who first enter the college have to sit down and go through a Personal Development Program with the counselors. This PDP gives students the opportunity to list out their goals and what they intend to achieve by studying that particular course( they refer to it as intentional learners) and from there the counselor will help a student decide what extra curricular activities that student should be involved in, in order to achieve their goals and purposes of studying.
Another thing that really got me during our discussion was when Farhan asked how the transition from the teaching of Maths and Science in English back to Malay would affect the college statistically. I was surprised to hear how the change would only marginally (or not at all) affect the college or its statistics as one of the leading private colleges in Malaysia. Mr.Thou Kok Cheng, the Chief Operating Officer pointed out that many students in Taylor's come from countries where Math and Science are taught in different languages but they don't seem to have a problem coping when these subjects are taught to them in English. He said that in Taylor's students are taught to adapt to the syllabus given and so the change wouldn't cause any drastic changes. This was a shocker for me because I was always under the assumption that in fact the transition would only make things harder for both lecturers and students.
The staff were kind enough to provide us with some local refreshments and we made our way back for dinner.
Dinner tonight was hosted by my parents at Kelab Aman, a famous Punjabi club that cooked up the most amazing Punjabi food. Several of my relatives joined us, and I think all of us had a fantastic time chatting and enjoying the atmosphere. Excellent end to a great day!
Emily’s journal
It was so good to visit Farhan’s school today; yesterday’s experience of Sunshine’s school had not only amped us up for the next step, but also gave us some comparative basis for what to expect and how to evaluate our discussion at SAS, Sultan Alam Shah. The grounds and buildings are awe-inspiring, as is the academic achievement of the school and the list of sport and heritage clubs offered as an additional part of the curriculum. The issues that were most prevalent in the discussion were the advantages and disadvantages of the student’s own experience of living in an all -male boarding school, exam orientation of studies, and the “wrote” stylised teaching form that is geared towards exam technique. Although the students were studying at a same- sex school, they agreed that a co-ed approach to education is more successful in producing holistic students with modern values. There was a lot of emphasis on the idea of a holistic person, and the students defined this as an active contributor to society, aware of his place. The general consensus as to how this level of self-awareness could be attained was to learn though inspiration and understanding, rather than through a method so dead as the “wrote” system. The students came to agree that their life in a boarding school creates less distraction from studies, which is what they consider to be of prime importance in their lives. I wonder if this opinion is formed by the students’ aspirations or their parents’ hopes for them?
I found Taylor’s University College to be such a well-run school that I am actually convinced that this system would be beneficial for Australia to adopt. The extra guidance and support that the year of “college” tuition provides would really assist with the decisions that I think Australian kids are so unsure of at that time in their lives. Lim Tou Boon, the president of Taylor’s College informed us that students were asked to develop a learning plan, a year before the commencement of their university selection process, and were then helped to choose the course most suited to their individual strengths and weaknesses. This struck me as a very touching display of a commitment to personal learning in action.
Farhan’s journal
As much fun we had on the previous day, today was exceptionally exciting and was very much more lively. Duncan and I had quite a bad start for the day as we woke up late and had to skip breakfast but surprisingly we had a really great time at the end of the day. Guess it was somehow a blessing in disguise, waking up late? We might just consider doing it on a daily basis, but of course we won’t, as we’re dedicated peopleJ
After preparing some sets of questions for professor Robin Pollard, whom we are going to be interviewing this coming Thursday, we headed off for some more discussions with another group of talented young students who had a lot of ideas to be shared, which happened to be at my own school. The discussion’s outcome provided us with many new perspectives which we need to consider and investigate such as the pedagogy and the promotion of teaching professions that became a new issue for us. Before the discussion took place, there was a slide presentation of the school, a brief video on the outlining the schools mission and vision and the idea and purpose of the establishment of the school itself despite highlighting the involvement of students in extra-curricular activities that were the niche areas for my school. If you had not figured it out yet, its Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah(which is commonly mistaken as SMK). As a student of SAS I was honored to introduce my new fellow friends, the Australians to our school’s community as much as they really enjoyed the visit.
Talking about the discussion, it went well at the beginning only to reach its peak later in the discussion. As much as I thought we could have started much better, we couldn’t actually do anything on that. So, we started by asking the students if they have any enquiries on the issues we have investigated hence leading us to discuss about the topic that had been assigned to Duncan, which is on the qualification of Australian University degrees in Malaysia. In Malaysia, degrees obtained by students in Australia are sadly sometimes not recognized by the Government in Malaysia, hence making it impossible for them to be employed and allow them to contribute to the nation.
Later, a particularly interesting issue was brought up, the popular debate topic which is famously debated all around the world, on whether or not schools should only be single sexed or co-educational. It was only then the discussion seemed to be much more alive and students were seemingly interested to voice their minds out (mostly on the pros), maybe because they were limited of their movements to socialize with girls or just feel the need to as they are in an all boys school after all. Considering on the real issue, they said how it is important for the boys to be motivated by the girls and hence increasing healthy competition that would aspire for a better education. Of course, the cons were, on the distractions the opposite gender would give and the social issues that are occurring in today’s society. Nonetheless, it was of course an inconclusive debate and so another topic was brought up.
The consideration of teachers being one of the most important factor to determine students in producing good results has led to the proposal of the teaching profession to somehow be promoted and encouraged hence creating a new stereotype that the teaching profession is of a high job payment and is something that is certainly worth doing. In the mindset of today’s younger generation, teaching is not a favored working profession despite they are being respected but some teachers were just forced to become one, as they were left with no choice and also not many students or high achievers who aspire to become one. So, should the teaching profession be taken to a whole new level of class hence, attracting those with high capabilities in educating another human being effectively?
It is sad to say that the discussion had to end due to time constrains and there were other meetings we need to catch up with. Later on that day, we went to Taylor’s college and had a discussion with, should I say all the people who hold the highest post in the management of Taylors College. We were very interested in the video presentation of the University/college which was followed up with a couple of good questions from us. Basically, they keep on emphasising that language is never a barrier for their students to aspire for a good education i.e. globally and worldwide involving proficient communication in English as they provide the students a learning environment in English, which made them think in English regardless of their previous education was in Malay or English(relating to PPSMI). The education system they have caters to students who want to achieve an optimal education instead of being overly exam oriented.
The day ended with a fantastic dinner at a Punjabi restaurant with Sunshine’s family. It was really great and we really appreciate having her as our friend, not because of the food but because of the friendliness she had just as all her family members are. Can’t wait for more things to happen.
Duncan’s journal
The day began with an unscheduled but much needed sleep-in and a visit to Farhan’s residential school, one of the registered High-Performing Schools. The atmosphere was that of an elite American college, complete with an impressive athletics track and rugby field in front of the reception. The discussion with a selection of about ten students allowed us to develop our ideas on previous topics such as streaming, whilst bringing our attention to other pressing matters. The status of the teaching profession and the advantages of co-education generated much opinionated discussion with arguments being expressed for opposing sides. Our findings so far are that the Malaysian science/arts streaming and rote learning-based exams are resoundingly unpopular amongst students. It seems that most are in favour of modernising the forms of assessment to fall in line with those in Australia which are becoming more directed towards understanding and analysis, rather than memory and repetition.
It’s my opinion that teachers are underpaid in Australia, and a similar view seems to be prevalent in Malaysia. Many students agree that the teaching profession needs to be up-graded, to use a term adopted by one student. Furthermore, many students in Farhan’s school – a single sex institution – expressed their support of coeducation and a vision for an education system that promotes the integration of male and female students at a young age. I look forward to continuing discussion on these issues, especially given their relevance in Australia as well.
We finished our formal proceedings with a trip to Taylor’s College, a major pre-university campus in KL. Talking to nearly their entire management staff was a wonderful, engaging opportunity. We noticed a clear contrast between the focus of secondary education (exams) and college foundation courses, which emphatically advocate the holistic, personal development of their students. I have a feeling we’ll encounter the word ‘holistic’ quite a lot during the trip. Once again I think this visit highlighted the overall approach to education in Malaysia, which targets the preparation of students for overseas, rather than local, education. This underpins the college’s decision to conduct all classes in English, in contrast to the pedagogy in secondary schools. I find myself continually changing my mind about whether science and maths should be taught in Bahasa, but always revert back to the idea of individual choice. However, I do think that if Malaysia wants to become a nation of first class education, then it surely needs to abandon its gateway mentality and place more emphasis on the prospect of local tertiary study. It seems the status of their universities could do with an upgrade too. If more prestige could be injected into local tertiary institutions, the identity of a Malaysian education would surely strengthen.
Thanks to Farhan’s school and Taylor’s College for such wonderful discussion. Also, I must not forget to thank Sunshine’s lovely family for providing us with such an entertaining evening and a fantastic culinary experience! (Side note: I am really loving the food! Farhan likes to call me ‘the consumer.’) It was a brilliant way to finish off an eventful day.
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Learning Journey- 5th April