Less stress on exams
THE Chinese community needs to start focusing on building their children’s interest in learning instead of being overly exam-oriented, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
Describing the mindset as “conservative”, Chong urged parents to change their perception that giving more homework and pressure to children equates to better exam results.
“Education is not about getting all As in exams. We must also focus on holistic education,” he said, citing an example where a student scored an A for Bahasa Melayu in SPM but was unable to speak a word of it in real life.
He said Chinese schools should learn from private and international schools, which produced students who are more confident, open and vocal.
Chong was speaking at the special allocation cheque presentation to Chinese schools at SMJK Chong Hwa last Tuesday, where a total of RM 1.35mil was given out to seven Chinese schools for maintenance and upgrading purposes.
He said SMJK Chong Hwa and SMJK Confucian - both located in Kuala Lumpur - received a combined RM500,000, while the remaining RM850,000 was given to five schools located in Selangor, including Catholic High School, Petaling Jaya; SMJK Chung Hwa Klang; SMJK Yu Hua; SMJK Yoke Kuan, Sekinchan and SMJK Kwang Hwa.
“For the past six years, we have given out RM 4.5mil to the two SMJK’s in KL, and RM 7.85mil to the five in Selangor.
“Since 2012 until 2017, all 81 SMJKs in the country have continuously received this special allocation,” he said.