Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year 2008

I wish you health, so you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the love of friends and family, and peace within your heart.

I wish you the beauty of nature, that you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you wisdom to choose priorities, for things that really matter in life.

I wish you generousity so you may share, all good things that come to you.

I wish you happiness and joy, and blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything, that you so well deserve.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Colloquium on Maths and Science in English

THE teaching of Mathematics and Science in English remains a much-debated issue among Malaysians, even five years after its implementation.

In view of this, the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) will be hosting a one-day National Colloquium on the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English on 11th December 2007, from 9am to 6pm, at the Palace of the Golden Horses, Kuala Lumpur.

Through this national colloquium, Melta hopes to bring together officers from the Education Ministry, teachers, the press, publishers, corporate leaders, non-government organisations, members from teacher training institutions, universities, professional organisations and the public to discuss and deliberate on the issues and challenges facing the teaching of Maths and Science in English.

About 200 participants are expected to attend the colloquium.

The event is aimed at creating awareness among Malaysians of the Government's efforts in relation to the teaching of Maths and Science in English and identifying strengths and challenges.

Other aims include suggesting possible measures to meet these challenges, addressingfuture directions, and creating networking opportunities among stakeholders to share knowledge and resources.

Among the topics that will be discussed are the viability and necessity for the continued teaching of Maths and Science in English, and the strategies and methodologies that need to be instituted if the two subjects are to be taught in the English language.

A comprehensive report based on the keynote address, papers and roundtable discussions will be compiled and presented to the Education Ministry.

Participation is by invitation. Those interested in attending the colloquium can contact Melta at 03-8944 1027 or e-mail: melta@tm.net.my . The Star is the media sponsor for the colloquium.

New pro vice-chancellor

Professor Robin Pollard is the new pro vice-chancellor and president (Malaysia) of the Monash University campus in Bandar Sunway.

He takes over from Prof Merilyn Liddell.

Professor Robin Pollard, was previously the deputy vice-chancellor and professor of the University of New England, Australia.

He was also foundation professor and head of school at the campus from 1998 to 2000.

Prof Pollard background is in condensed matter physics, but he has also held academic positions in information technology, marketing and chemistry.

He has worked in New Zealand, Canada, the United States and Britain.

Monash University's campus in Bandar Sunway is one of eight it operates in three countries.

The university celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

Their Degree Not Recognised?

Some 300 non-graduate teachers who pursued distance learning at the Open University of Malaysia may see up to RM6 million going down the drain.

They have been told that the degrees obtained in information technology were not recognised by the Education Ministry.National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said they could not be promoted to the DG41 graduate salary scale.

She said they had been told this in no uncertain terms by the ministry’s Teacher Education Division. She said the teachers had claimed that they were misled into believing that the degrees would be recognised by the Public Service Department (PSD).

"The PSD offer to the teachers shows that the degree was recognised by the PSD and the government," she said after meeting 100 Perlis NUTP members at Sekolah Kebangsaan Arau.The NUTP, which has received complaints about the problem from affected teachers, is urging the ministry to lend a helping hand to those affected.

Lok said a working paper would be submitted to the Teachers’ Education Division on why the degrees should be recognised."Many teachers had spent up to RM20,000 each on their degrees, but the teacher education division said that their degrees were not recognised. "This is serious as many teachers are involved.

"The Open University uses the quality, prestige and capabilities of its owners — a consortium of 11 public universities. It was incorporated as a private university under the Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996.

One-Stop Centre for Children with Special Needs

Providing services such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, counselling and audiology, the centre aims to provide such children with proper and equal access to education, which is on par with normal children.

It is a result of a collaboration between the Education Ministry, the Health Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry, with volunteers from Japanese International Co-operation Agency and Sunway Medical Centre.

Eight specialists are employed, comprising pathologists, audiologists and psychologists.Tenaga National Foundation provided RM250,000, which was the cost of building the centre, while RM100,000 was provided by the Rotary Club for other equipment.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would focus on special education this month to create awareness among the public.

“I consider children with special needs an important asset to our country. It is time our efforts towards special education are given priority.

They have the same rights as other students,” he said when opening the Putrajaya special education centre here yesterday.

The centre will also be a benchmark for six other existing centres nationwide, set up since 2002.

The centre will also be an information and rehabilitation spot for very young children.

Hishammuddin said it would focus on disabilities such as dyslexia, autism, attention-deficit hyperactive disorder, blindness and deafness. For more details, call the Putrajaya special education centre at 03-88849144 on weekdays, except Fridays.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Excellent Teacher

Guru Cemerlang (Excellent Teacher) is an award given to teachers who are regarded as experts in their field of teaching and subject matter. The rationale of giving this award is due to the progression of teacher promotion.

In the past, teachers who fit the criteria are promoted to the post of principals, vice principals or education officers. In getting promoted, the teacher seems to be moving away from teaching in the classroom to doing administrative work.

This means teachers who are dedicated and expert in their subject matter are lost in the systems, their skills and talent are inaccessible due to their promotion.

The awarding of Guru Cemerlang ensures that even if the teacher is promoted, he/she will still be teaching and his/her knowledge and expertise can be used by the school and the schools in the district. In 1993 the Guru Cemerlang promotion was introduced.Objectives of the Guru Cemerlang Promotion Scheme;

* To acknowledge teachers who are excellent in their field or subject.
* To improve the quality of teaching.
* To Guru Cemerlang as role model to other teachers.
* To enhance school excellence by utilising the experience and expertise of the Guru Cemerlang.
* To expand horizon of promotion in educational services.
* To promote teachers without leaving teaching behind or changing to administrative duties.
* To give promoted teachers opportunity to get promoted to a higher grade quickly.

Nota Terkini