Parents urged to voice out school issues through PTAs
SIBU: Sarawak Bumiputera Teachers Union (KGBS) is urging parents who are unhappy over their children being asked to use additional workbooks to voice their dissatisfaction through their respective parent-teacher associations (PTAs).
According to KGBS president Ahmad Malie, in that way, discussions can be carried out with the school authority to determine whether additional workbooks are necessary or otherwise.
“The collective decision arrived at (from the discussion) will further strengthen the rapport between parents and teachers,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Recently, Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon was quoted as saying that the Education Ministry had reminded schools to only allow one workbook for each subject for students in Year Four to Six.
Chong reportedly said this was due to complaints from parents that the list of workbooks for the next year was usually given out at the end of the year.
He was further quoted as saying that the use of several workbooks did not comply with the ministry’s circular and unsuitable for the Malaysian Education Development Plan which emphasises on Higher Thinking Skills ( KBAT) among students.
Parental Engagement and School Toolkit Programme national chief coach Amiruddin Sahudi, meanwhile, was quoted as urging the Ministry of Education to find a way to reduce the burden of pupils in having to carry too many books to school.
He was of the view that the syllabi for core subjects must focus and emphasise on basic knowledge skills only.
Amiruddin was also quoted as saying that when there was a lot to cover in a syllabus, more workbooks would be needed for the pupils while teachers will have to rush through to cover the syllabus.
To KGBS, the issue of workbooks is deemed as an old issue as there has already been a circular issued by Ministry of Education in connection with the issue, Ahmad pointed out.
“Pertaining to this issue, KGBS feel strange with such situation – as if in conflict with the parents’ intention. Parents want their children to do well academically but ironically, on the other hand, oppose when their children are asked to use additional workbooks.
“Such scenario is as if we want something but do not want to work to earn it.”
More so, when parents wanted their children to excel and this would certainly require slightly more efforts from parents, he added.
Ahmad explained: “By slightly more efforts, KGBS means that the combination between parents and teachers are in sync.”
Adding on, he said parents too need to support the efforts by the school authority in particular, teachers. He said in KGBS’ view – excellence cannot be obtained with mere usual efforts as this requires stepping up of efforts.
In the regard, KGBS likened this effort to using additional workbooks for students because teachers understand and are certain that exercises provided in the existing textbooks are inadequate for students.
“Hence, sometimes, teachers need to give additional exercises to enhance students’ comprehension. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is making use of additional work books.
“Therefore, parents wanting to see their children becoming successful - KGBS is throwing back the issue to parents to determine the future of their children.”
According to Ahmad, KGBS viewed the success of children do not 100 per cent come from teachers but also stemmed from the commitment of parents.
“In this regard, KGBS is urging that parents need to look at certain issues from the positive aspect before making comparison with the negative effects for the good of the future of their children,” he said.