What Malaysians Want?

Wishing you a Chinese New Year/Gong Xi Fa Chai.

Below is our (zubedy the company) CNY message - an ad we will feature in the Star tomorrow. This ad is the second " What Malaysians Want " series . The previous one spoke about Development Without Corruption http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2008/12/have-meaningful-xmas.html

Have A Meaningful Chinese New Year
What Malaysians Want : A First-Rate Education

Malaysia aims to have first nation status in less than twelve years; a first-rate education is the fundamental right of every Malaysian child.

Though there are more students attending school today as compared to any other time in history, the fact remains that the overall quality of our schools lack lustre and there remains a gaping disparity between rural and urban schools with the latter being better off.

In a plural society where schools must not only educate but integrate people, our schools tend to promote self segregation where one sticks in cliques of his own kind, this eliminates the need to mix and assimilate. This self segregation continues through college and university.

Malaysians want a first rate education for their children. We also need a first rate education that unites us; social bonding that will help smooth over inevitable differences. The core thrust of our very first education initiative: speak the same language, read the same books to achieve national unity, is as relevant today as it was more than fifty years ago. While choices of schools are necessary as children have different needs and parental choice leads to parental involvement, there must be a common core for all schools.

The national language and English are key unifiers. The national language must be central in all schools and English language must be taught. English is the language of science and technology. All Malaysian children will benefit from learning science in English, when they grow up to be engineers, doctors and scientists, English proficiency will allow them to advance in their respective fields. Mandarin and Tamil must be offered from year one, the knowledge of
Mandarin is especially useful to all our children as China grows in economic strength.

Performing and visual arts classes, extracurricular activities including sports, before and after school tuition and parent teacher organizations, all go towards making children smart like Zhuge Liang.

Education can equalize and unite us. With a common core for all schools, children will not only succeed academically, they grow up tolerant and truly accepting of one another. As Zhuge Liang said: "In order to win people over to your side, educate them."

At zubedy, our programs draw strength from shared values and traditions. We believe at the heart, all Malaysians want good things for themselves and for their fellow brother and sister Malaysian, simply because our nation cannot prosper as a whole if some of us are left behind. Regardless of race and politics, all Malaysians want a first-rate education for their children. We also need a first rate education that unites us.

Let us add value,
Have a meaningful Chinese New Year