A Dream Lost

something I wrote in 2000, based on a real local Tamil School in Subang. Residents help the students move as several classrooms, including the HM's office have caved-in. The students have since moved back and things are back to "normal". Enjoy and reflect...kv


Raju (not his real name) was a Standard Six student in a Tamil Primary school in the outskirts of a rapidly expanding commercial township. He was a good runner and he especially enjoyed the sprint events. His dream was to one day become the fastest person in Malaysia - breaking Dr Jegathesan's decades old record. During the evenings after school, he could be seen running in a pair of yellow spiked shoes that[sic] his uncle had bought him. They were his prized possession.

The school field had a six-lane running track. Although it was just a grass surface, it did not matter to Raju, for he felt free and strong running with the sound of the wind whisking behind him. Raju also knew that if he practiced well and studied hard, he would one day be recognized and respected in society. His illiterate parents would be proud of him.

Things went on as usual until one day, an unusual announcement was made by the headmaster during the school assembly that the school had to be relocated to make way for a housing project and that the developer had agreed to compensate the school by providing a piece of land equal in size with their current school and a new school be built on that promised land in a better location. There was great excitement in the air as the children envisioned their new school. Raju's face lighted up as he thought about the new school, "A new school..., a new field.... a new life!" Raju was even more determined to train harder. "I will be faster than Dr. Jega one day", he thought.

The much-awaited day finally came and as the children eagerly entered the new school building, Raju was the first to head for the running track. But he was to receive a rude shock when all he could find was a small piece of land sandwiched between a monsoon drain and a construction site. The "field" was not even large enough for a full track!

"How am I going to train....? How can I now be the fastest person in Malaysia?". Thoughts of despair loomed over Raju as he dragged his feet to his new classroom, which to him was not unlike his former school's except that this one had a functional fan. His heart was really at the running tracks where he could almost fly like a bird. Without this drive, he was not the same Raju as before - the Raju who walked with a sprint and talked of his dream. Now, Raju walked as if with chained legs and spoke little. More often than not, he got reprimanded for day-dreaming at his classroom window.

How he longed to run again. It was not the same running on small playgrounds or fume-choked roads. Only a true runner could understand his feelings, and none of his friends were as close to being as passionate as he was in running.

One day, while Raju was walking to the canteen, he tripped over a cement block and injured his ankle. It was not good at all. Firstly he could not run, now he injured his ankle. The uncanny thing was that he was quite sure the cement block was not there the day before. When this matter was reported to the headmaster, he quickly inspected the site and discovered that the floor had actually sunk! The headmaster had initially thought that it could have been due to the heavy downpour the evening before. He called the developer to repair the damage. The workers came and did just that - they filled up the hole without finding out the cause for the sinking. The following week, even more cracks and holes appeared. The more the workers tried to fill up the holes, the more parts of the building began to sink.

Finally one day, the developers came in full force and dug up the entire cement flooring, and replaced it with inter-locking tiles and covered it with carpets. They were quite sure that that would do the trick. Raju was trying to make sense out of the whole thing. Firstly, he 'lost' his running track, now his school was 'sinking'.

One day when the workers from the developers were working, Raju over-heard several of them having a conversation. They were talking about the school and one of them said, ".....don't bother......just fill it up-lah - it is ONLY a Tamil school...". This made him feel very, very sad.

It was not until several months later that the headmaster made an announcement that the school was no more safe and would be evacuated as soon as possible. A temporary school was found with the help of several community leaders. The students were to be housed at the temporary school building until the authorities decide what would happen next. No plans was announced.

On the day before they moved again, Raju stood at the gates of the school clutching his pair of spike shoes in a plastic bag, unused for the past few months and wondered if he would get a chance to run again in the other new school, and whether there would be a field with tracks at all there. This time, however, Raju was not excited. As he stood at the school gate school waiting for his school-bus to pick him up from there one last time, he gazed over to the other side of the fence to the almost completed structure which, he was told, would be a brand new "smart school". It would have many classrooms, air-conditioning and above-all, a large field with a running track. When Raju asked this teacher why he could not study there or run in that field, his teacher, loss for words, shook his head in a silence.

When the school bus finally arrived, he dragged himself reluctantly onto the bus which left the building for the last time. Behind him at the gate was a plastic bag. It contained a pair of yellow spike shoes and a lost dream of a young man.

April 11, 2000

K V Soon

National or Vernacular Schools: Any other choices?

National vs Vernacular Schools: Are these the ONLY two choices? Like these are the only choice available. I guess to most parents it really boils down to these two. There has been too much debate over the 2 choices. Especially about the national unity and the roles of schools and education. What saddens me is that the overly debated issue on national integration (which I feel it is more of national assimilation) has overshadowed the true objectives of schooling and education - a platform for discovering our children's true potential, nurture their skills and develop them - making us better people and contributing to society. While this debate continues, each generation of our children will lose out in the future. The world will not wait for us. Advancements in technology as well as innovation in teaching and learning and the reforms in education is happening in other parts of the world.

Simply put, we need not be guided by the limitation of choices. Parents need to be empowered or empower themselves to make choices. Let me share my experience here .

When my first child was one, some of my very well meaning and concerned friends , kept asking me which school I would send her to? They kept reminding me to register my child for school - otherwise, there will not be a place for me especially if it was a Chinese Vernacular school, especially the much sought-after one in Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya had only one Chinese school at that time.

Guess what? Finally, I did not register. After her preschooling years, we prodeeded to homeschooling. She followed her learning heart - learning whenever she wanted to, whatever she wanted to. We had some semblance of a curriculum which to many was not much of curriculum at all. We adopted the unschooling approach - something which suited us quite well at that time. The essence of unschooling is to allow the child to discover herself through exposure to various artistic or scientific disciplines and subsequantly pursuing of her passions wholeheartedly without unnecessary external interventions. This went on happily for a few years until one day, she gathered enough courage to ask us to send her to school. Being a person who enjoys being with people and who likes challenges, she likes that idea of schooling. And so her heart led her all the way to school . At 9 years of age , Amrita started her first year of schooling in Year 4 . Although we did not have much faith in our schooling system here, we nevertheless respected her decision and allowed her to pursue that course of educational experience at a private school . Our thoughts are reflected here. She struggled with the Malay subjects for about 3 months, but after that she learnt the ropes of it and eventually emerged top student in class and even bagged the Student of the Year award ! I know for sure the academic path is the right choice for her.

Our second daughter (now 10 yrs) - went through a similar experience, except for the fact that her passion and her heart lies in the arts. Drawing, music and "cultivating her imagination" - was important. Some call it day -dreaming , others may call it an utter waste of time ! - but I think the phrase "cultivating her imaginations" would be more appropriate. She can spend hours on end with her dolls and toys or just doodle away with her pencil and paper. A totally unstructured and random kind of person, being confined in a school environment would stifle her learning and she would probably be robbed of her artistic nature. So she has chosen to learn at home. That is her choice and we respect that too.

What is the higher objective of education? Is it social integration or personal development? Should we always think in terms of a clear duality all the time? I personally think, the education ministry have missed the point and we are all dragged into unnecessary limitation of choices. The real question for parents is not about National vs Vernacular Schools, but education system and process works - we cannot let others decide for our children.

Parents need to understand their children - after all, that's what parenting is about. Parenting cannot be outsourced. Personal development and eduction is part of parenting and cannot be totally outsourced to schools like business processes outsourcing to be managed by the KPIs depicted by strings of As. In the corporate environment, even out-sourcing partners have have a close relationship and regular KPI reviews, regular meetings to improve the delivery mechanism. What about our schools? Parents gets shut off.

Deep down we all are looking forward to an education reform in this country. But everyone seems to be either just complainng without doing anything about it, or perpetually waiting for the education ministry to do something.

Parents need to be more proactive for the sake of their children. Start now and start creating choices for them!

National Service: Has the Public Judged?

(text of tan Sri Lee Lam Thye's letter reproduced at the bottom of this post)

Dear Tan Sri,

I read the letter written by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye on the National Service published in the NST on Mar 16, 2007. I have this thought that spring into my mind "the public has judged and the verdict it........."

Confidence level is really at rock bottom with regards to National Services - besides the usual knee-jerk reaction, the is still NO CLEAR AND CONCLUSIVE ACTION PLAN.

Politicians and politicians-wanna-be have each given non-coordinated, unrelated responses saying a lot but nothing at all. One said that medical screening will be done before entering camp. I ask: How will it be done? What are the procedures? What kind of medical test will be conducted? What will we be looking for? If a medical condition is detected how will the camp manage it? What will be the precautions? Who will be at the camp monitoring such cases? What will be his of her qualification? What is the process in the event of an emergency?

On the matter of hygiene, what is being done at the camps that had the canteen closed for observing the lowest level of hygiene? We heard that the canteen was closed - that's all. What's the action plan to ensure the problem is not repeated? What will be the continuous monitoring processes?

Most importantly, who is responsible and who is accountable? Can you tell us? Too many questions, too few answers.

There is too much (useless) information out there - not enough knowledge. If, I may suggest Tan Sri, fix the communication and build confidence in us parents again. Be clear, resolved and one-mind to address the problems.

One suggestion is to put up in the National Service website CLEAR action plans, target completions, milestones and let us see them. Give us parents that transparency. Provide feedback columns for us to share our thoughts and feedback and suggestions. Our children's lives are ours as well - It's time to involve the parents!

For those who do not have access to the internet, have such information to the press to be published verbatim. Say, do and show!

Give us the confidence that things are being done. Not mere "press conference fixes" when everything is forgotten after the nice press conference food has been digested. There is no necessity as well to put a spin in the local media - showing happy faces. I think it is really time to go beyond them.

With all due respect Tan Sri, we know you are doing your best. However, I feel you need to do more and involve more people to help you. I support the National Service Program. However, the way it is conducted, the manner problems are managed (or mismanaged), the lack of transparency of the activities during the camp give the noble ideas a very bad name.

Tan Sri, I firmly believe you are the position to drive change in the management of the program, give us that confidence. Demonstrate that as Chairman you can drive transparency and re-instill confidence in the program. The public is the judge, I think the jury is still out, there is time to change for the better.

K V Soon

Source: http://www.nst.com.my

National Service: Let the public be the judge
By TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE, Chairman National Service Training Council

18 March, 2007

I WISH to clarify a number of matters pertaining to my role as the chairman of the National Service Training Council. I am making this statement in the wake of a number of comments taking me to task for any failure or untoward incidents involving NS trainees. One letter sent to me even stated that I must be made "solely responsible and accountable for any death" in an NS training camp. The writer questioned whether I had a conscience and alleged that for the sake of my "rice bowl" I had not spoken out.

Another fax from overseas, questioned whether I had the courage to admit that National Service was a failure and that it should be scrapped.

All this makes me wonder whether I deserve these criticisms, considering that I do not have executive powers and that the implementation of the entire programme rests with the director-general of the NS Training Department under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

I do not propose to reply to all these unjustified criticisms against me. I leave it to all rational-minded Malay- sians to judge whether such criticisms are justified.

The NS Training Council performs a number of duties under the National Service Training Act 2003. These include advising the minister on all matters related to NS training.

When I accepted the appointment as chairman of the NS Training Council in July 2005, I was fully aware of its difficulties and challenges. I accepted the appointment for three reasons:
First, I regarded it as another call for national service as I have been doing national service for the past 40 years.

Second, I believe NS training is a noble programme which will benefit our youth in terms of, among other things, character-building and making them more patriotic.

Third, as chairman, though non-executive, I felt I would be in a position to convey the problems and concerns of the trainees, parents and others and help to make suggestions and policy changes for improvement.

This is precisely what I have been doing. I have always brought to the attention of the director-general and the department the grievances of the trainees and other suggestions to improve the programme.

I have never failed to take up issues concerning the welfare of the trainees and the improvement of the NS programme. These issues are also brought up at all council meetings. When decisions are made, it is the department that implements them, not the council, which is only an advisory body.

Although my position is not a full time job, I go to the office almost daily to provide feedback to the department and offer advice to them.
Let me state clearly that I have no pecuniary interests in the NS programme other than a monthly allowance which I am entitled to as chairman.

I realise that as chairman of the NS Training Council, I am seen as the "face" of the National Service. This is because in carrying out my duties, I have been active, constantly promoting the National Service and obliging the media for comments when necessary.

My level of commitment to the National Service is a reflection of my passion for the NS programme and within the confines of the role and functions of the council, I have done my utmost best. And I have always acted according to my conscience.

Just SUSPEND it!

Just suspend the National Service program!

Can someone make a decision on this matter. Everyone seems to have their views and comments but NOBODY makes any decision.

There is no shame in suspending the service to get things fixed. I mean really get things fixed! Fix the camp conditions, fix the food, fix the health screening, fix the program, fix it so that no one else dies! Just fix it. I have children and at this rate, I can say that I have NO CONFIDENCE in the National (dis)Service.

Although I support the idea, I do not support the implementation and the way the program is being handled. Lim Kit Siang gives a good summary of the situation here. Wiki has an entry here , FamilyPlace asked for your feedback here and more commentaries here. To find out more about Khidmat Negara, you could check this out.

Too many complains have fallen onto deaf ears. Too many young people have been injured and far too many people have died - totally unnecessary! Yes, the local print media can spin all sorts of stories from the student but reality is too much to ignore. Don't spin people's lives. So, are we going to wait for the National Service Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye to cry again before the next action? All is all he going to do is to cry?

So, I say it again SUSPEND THE NATION SERVICE, AND GO FIX THINGS!

Once done, tell us, show us, give us confidence - don't just bulldoze through!

How was your New Year Celebration?

Mine was a period of joy, grief, reflection and renewal. On Feb 18, we began with a Prayer for renewal and blessings for the new year. We traveled to Seremban to celebrate with my parents. In Seremban, we took the opportunity of celebrate Amrita's 11th birthday. After lunch we rushed to Ipoh upon hearing that my father-in-law's health had suddenly taken a turn for the worst.

Celebrating Amrita's Birthday

At about 4.30pm when we were approaching Tapah, Wai Leng received an SMS to inform us that her father had left us. The rest of the journey back became was quiet and solemn. Our daughters who were singing most of the journey, remained quiet until we reached Ipoh about 6pm. The following days were quiet and reflective, filled with prayers.

Wake of the Late Chong Sow Voon

My father-in-law leaving was a lesson to us that Chinese New Year was just celebrating, having fun, seeing long lost relatives, eating, eating and eating. He sent us a reminder that health is wealth and prayer and reflection is equally important, if not, more important than wealth.


more later...