http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/19SCHO/Article/index_html
I AM responding to V.W.'s letter of Johor Baru, "It's too taxing for students" (NST, Oct 12).
I'm an Upper Sixth student in a premier school in Kluang, Johor, that has implemented the new longer school session for Form Six since January. I couldn't agree more with V.W.
I believe the "masterminds" who proposed the new schooling hours for Form Six pupils had the noble intention of making Form Six schooling on a par with the matriculation colleges in the country.
However, they failed to take into account many other factors before implementing it.
These "masterminds" have ignored the fact that most schools offering Form Six classes do not have hostels, unlike matriculation colleges.
Many of us travel long distances to attend school and we wake up as early as 5am to catch the school buses, unlike matriculation students who stroll to their lecture halls or tutorial rooms. Can you imagine how tiring it is to wake up so early and return home at almost 5pm?
We do not have air-conditioned lecture halls which would help us avoid the heat and fatigue of long hours of schooling. Yes, we do get an hour's break, but where are we supposed to rest?
Our counterparts can go back to their hostel for a nap or a refreshing shower. What about food? Our parents have to fork out more money for us to buy food but our counterparts get free meals.
It is easy for bureaucrats at the Education Ministry to look for something "new" to implement without taking into account other people's problems.
They stand a good chance of getting promoted although we have to suffer long hours in stuffy classrooms.
If these educators really want to place Form Six on a par with matriculation, why don't they scrap the present examination-oriented Form Six and replace it with an evaluation system adopted by matriculation colleges?
Longer Form Six hours are window dressing. Just do away with it.
S.M. , Kluang
2009/10/20
1 comments:
lAGI KOMEN TENTANG FORM 6
"THE STAR ONLINE"
25 oct 2009
Too tired to tackle studies
I READ “
Low morale in Lower Six” (StarEducation, October 18), and I do agree with the writer on how the system is a waste of time.
My school has implemented the new semester-based system since June, which is nearly five months! School times do not end at 3.30pm but 4pm for my school. Forget about the students, even the teachers are grumbling! Teachers and students alike are exhausted by the end of the day.
How do you expect teachers to perform their best when they are tired? Needless to say, students too have a hard time concentrating in the hot and stuffy afternoon classes.
It is not fair for the teachers who teach the Form Six classes for they have to stay back for longer hours compared to their other colleagues. Apparently, the afternoon classes are for colloquiums (presentations and discussions).
Evaluation for STPM would also include marks for coursework which would make Form Six studies more attractive and vibrant for students, says an earlier report.
There is nothing attractive and vibrant about extra work when the school schedule barely leaves us enough time to complete school work and our studies.
Bad planning, long hours, tired teachers and students. You can imagine the morale in Form Six in such circumstances. The setting up of the college is part of the Education Ministry’s plan to “radically transform Form Six studies and take into account the higher thinking, analytical and evaluation skills necessary to excel in the STPM.”
Wake up! The new system brings nothing but stress and red tape.
If the ministry remains adamant about making the system permanent, do something about the existing loopholes at least. Take a leaf out of our neighbouring country’s “A’ levels college system: good planning.
RILAKKUMA
Via e-mail
Catat Ulasan