Today, is the day when the 'drapery' of 2010 will be rolled down with all the 'residues' collected throughout the year taken away and washed out to 'welcome' a more 'promising' light of 2011 to shine into the lives of the 'hopeful' mortals. A minute past midnight is a new beginning to us all regardless of our predilections and endeavors in life. Many, undoubtedly, would already have a set of resolutions as self-guidance in contemplation of a more challenging year ahead, probably after a long 'self-debating' session with oneself'. As the clock is ticking away, some are eagerly and anxiously waiting for the new dawn to come bringing new hopes for a better tomorrow.
2011 is, without a doubt, the new beginning to a whole new life experience. In fact, to some of our young, innocent 'compatriots', aka our future leaders, this year may chart a new exciting 'path' for them as they embark on a 'challenging' journey of exploring their potentials as well as discovering the 'truths' of the real world; i.e. away from the safe and comfort of their own homes. We are all familiar with the 'scenes': some urchins may twitch the elbow of their mothers to insist on going home; a large number will however, successfully put up a brave front throughout the 'trying' day; a few, out of frustration or confusion 'burst' uncontrollably as they could no longer hold the 'pent-up' emotion; while there are still those who merrily running around and getting into mischief and not the single least bothered with all the 'fuss'. Such a 'colorful' event ; the first day of school for the first-school-going-timers.
If I were to ask of my first day of school, frankly, I could hardly recall my 'first' day experience. Nor could I 'relive' those moments of high emotions that many, to my astonishment, seem to be able to 're-experience' and share with others, without leaving any single minute detail of elaboration. Maybe it was an insignificant moment in my life to remember. Or could it be that throughout the years, there were many other happenings and events that the brain 'automatically' redirected them to the 'recycle bin' since my own limited RAM could not possibly store all the 'memory' folders. After all, back then, life was not as sophisticated as it is now, where 'learning' was always 'by heart' and was not 'aided' in any way by any 'technological' learning tools.
What I do remember, nevertheless, is the kind of schooling experience that I had undergone back in the old days. I was asked to read no sooner than I had already recognized the letters and successfully made and combined meaningful sounds of the word clusters. I loved it every time my class teacher, Pn Sakinah (she lives in my memory until today), asked me to 'lead' the class in reading sessions. I was only in Standard Two then, and already I felt like a teacher-substitute. She, in fact, had to stop me every now and then, as being so excited and proud in my 'teacher-role', I read, "laju macam keretapi"( i.e. with the speed of a train). That was always her comment. (In those days, the train was seen as the 'fastest' and a 'non-stop' moving vehicle.) Maybe her blessings (or impact), was part of the reason I am now in similar path as hers was, of which I doubt I will ever know the truth. Schooling was fun and exciting, and so was 'playing' at home, once I changed my pinafore into something more suitable. As outside-the-school education, I further enhanced my knowledge and skills by 'reading' tactics in games with mostly my childhood boy-'friends', as we tried to outsmart each other. Only occasionally did I occupy myself with some 'soft' stuffs with the girls.
Only when I reached the upper level of that primary education that my earlier 'reading' stretches, turned to a more meaningful 'study'. Most of my teachers in those days were 'stern'; at times I had the craziest ideas that they were actually 'short-listed candidates' who unfortunately did not meet the 'physical' criteria for 'military' personnel, though if judged by 'disposition', they could easily made their way into one of the platoons. A few, just by their looks, could swiftly grab the 'commandant' title, as just a 'killing' stare would be enough to deter any potential contender from vying the post. Amazingly, some of us succeeded in sharpening our 'survival' skills, since being caught not doing homework was almost equal to send oneself on a 'death row', or if luck happened to pass by at that critical moment, the punishment was reduced to a mere 'commando-like' torture. And so, we did 'study' these outstandingly 'frightening' characters 'critically', which to a substantial extent, had made us to 'study' well too.
Well, that was how my 'reading' and 'studying' took place. So, when did learning actually take place? Isn't it supposed to be nurtured and developed within the confines of the school? If you ask me, personally, I would say, my learning only began the moment I stepped out from the school compound and made my first 'entry' into the real world. The learning started as soon as I realized that I had to make use of my school and home knowledge (i.e. formal and experiential knowledge), to bear with the demands of the 'real' situations outside school. Those years of 'reading' and 'studying' are invaluable, up to this day; thanks to all those 'stern and not-so stern' teachers at school ( actually, I did exaggerate a little), who diligently and dutifully imparted me with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and beliefs, so that when finally I managed to become a 'holistic' individual, and situate myself within a larger social domain, I could also, as a grateful and loyal citizen make meaningful contributions to my religion, race and nation. And not forgetting, there were those people of 'real' life-setting who had provided 'extra' reading opportunities for me to develop my 'individual' knowledge.
With all that said, I just want to add a final personal opinion. I, on a personal basis, do strongly believe in our education system. I bet many others do too. And I also have a strong genuine faith in our teachers, who always sincerely have the best interests of their students in their hearts and minds. Like everybody else, I do want to see the progress of our nation beyond its current state of achievement. And like everybody else, I also want to see our school-going children happily and 'naturally' experiencing their school and home life of 'reading' and 'studying', so that when they go out into the 'working' world, they could confidently 'learn' to use their knowledge adaptively and positively. The real working world is the ultimate place where all the knowledge acquired are put to test to determine one's success and failure after spending years of 'reading' and 'studying'.
Well, after all my long years of reading, studying and learning, have I not at this moment, been able to provide you with my own solid 'reasoning' of why the progression of educating children should go on a 'natural' course. No doubt, school is still the best place to nurture and nourish the seeds of knowledge, love, good conduct, beliefs, unity, etc. But, as they say, and it still rings true, "Charity begins at home". For that, we need to combine our sincere efforts to make both home and school better places for our children to spend their meaningful younger years to discover, develop and enhance their potentials 'naturally'. After all, are we not, as members of education community and the society as a whole, intricately connected within a single large social system? WE make up the society and WE determine the kind of society that we want to be part of and the one we want our younger generation to inherit from us. WHAT then, should OUR culture be? With that, I rest my case.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
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