From JD Lovrenciear
Let it not go to waste – the two Malaysian schools shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prizes.
Indeed, in a climate where we have been overwhelmed by the declining state of education in the country, the news of two Malaysian schools being shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prizes is most uplifting.
Whether the two schools – SK Kempadang in Kuantan, shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation, and SMK Kampong Jawa in Klang, in the running for Overcoming Adversity – bag the coveted prizes or otherwise, we must not lose this opportunity to learn from the two schools.
The government, if it is truly committed to making educating our young as the pillars of a progressive future, must seize this opportunity to make the two schools the model and blueprint for all schools.
Surely the principals, teachers, administration staff, parents and local communities of the two schools had a vital role in making them shine.
We must learn from all those who contributed. Their efforts, collectively, enabled the two schools to be shortlisted for the globally recognised awards.
As rightly pointed out by organiser T4 Education’s chief executive officer Vikas Pota, educators all over the world should learn from the examples set by these outstanding Malaysian schools.
Officials at our education ministry must rise above the political tides and make transparent their resolve in ensuring that all schools nationwide will adopt the tested and proven success formulas of the two schools.
We do not have to wait for the prize.
We should already recognise the fact that two Malaysian schools were selected and shortlisted and that is a good enough yardstick of the measure of success in an education environment where quality and standards have been plunging.
Hopefully, we will not let the proven success of the two schools be buried in an avalanche of political statements and empty promises.
JD Lovrenciear is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.