Thoughts on the National Education Blueprint

The much hyped National Education Blueprint was finally released on January 16, 2007. I pulled a copy from the MOE website (http://www.moe.gov.my) and started reading through the text which is only available in Bahasa Malaysia.

While there were very strong direction and vision of what needed to be done with our schools - overall I felt that plan lacked details of implementation and more importantly, it does not offer any thing really concrete to change or improve the education system in the country. This plan is at best, in my opinion, a great plan to change the schools in Malaysia, if the plan works. If one is looking at something different or even revolutionary, you better read something else.

I noticed there was a lot of emphasis on the development of the so-called “cluster” schools. I found nothing else really innovating and exciting - again it is about innovating the schools - not the system. It seems to me that it is a repeat of all the policies put out together over the years yet offering nothing new.

Over the past decade, we saw the introduction of "Smart Schools" (Sekolah Pintar)- what happened? Was there critical analysis of its success and failures? Later came the "Vision Schools" (Sekolah Wawasan). Again, before we understand where its going and how its doing - we now will have have "Cluster Schools". It seems to me that each Education Minister wants to make a mark to say that "I have been here". Sadly, no one really care about making the mark in our education system to be world class (except to talk about making the mark). How can we really create a generation of progressive and intellectual Malaysians.

The success of such initiatives is usually determined when the Education Minister who implemented it is no longer the Education Minister. By that time - if the plan did not go the right way - I am sure as a politician, he will have all the answers. Above all, it's not his problem anymore. So much for performance or accountability.


The Blueprint also gave a lot of focus and emphases on integration of races beginning in schools as one of its core objectives. What I cannot understand is why we need to write such a documents to tell us what we already know and what needs to be done. Assuming if we follow closely to the implementation of the blueprint, we will only see results at least after 4 years (the time-from of this blueprint - 2006-2010). If we screw-up on the implementation or a new minister takes over and decides to implement a new "whatever" school, we will more than 4 years - we will lose an entire generation of our future. I have always wondered WHY, if the Hon Education Minister is so passionate about racial unity - does nothing to change this by way of policy and directive and instead had to resort to writing an elaborate blueprint.

Knowing the polarization of races in schools in schools, could he have written a directive to the state education department and to the schools to STOP marginalizing the minor races and instead give them opportunity to speak and be understood. Could he have easily instruct the schools to have "unity corner" in every national school where minor races could express their culture and faith? Could our Hon education minister instruct the schools that that at least once a month, offer minority races in schools to publicly express their faith - as a way to understand and appreciate each others' cultures? I am unsure why it is so difficult not getting it done. If anyone can enlightenment me, I would appreciate it?

While, another aspect of emphasis is language - especially Bahasa Malaysia. Little is mention about the value of English and its direction where it heading. What's the plan I wonder.

Is it because, the edition I am currently reading is the "Edisi Pelancaran" what are the other "Edisi" which will be coming out? Are they already out?

It seems pretty clear to me, this proposal is not about improving education its about reorganizing the schools. It does not reflect any "out of the box" initiative, but instead its an attempt to bring more boxes closer together - in a cluster. Nothing really interesting or innovative from what I read.

What next? Another edition? More bright new ideas beyond cluster schools? What about something for children with learning disabilities etc.

What are your thoughts?