A Breath of Fresh Air, but can there be real changes

Education articles usually catch my attention in the local papers. On the October 16th New Straits Times, it featured an interview with the Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom (Director General of the Ministry of Education) on the topic of cluster schools. For the still uninitiated the cluster schools was one of the main trust of Education Blueprint unveiled by our education minister. What caught my interest was not the the interview but a commentary by Professor Emeritus Datuk Khoo Kay Kim. Professor Khoo is a member of the Cluster of Excellence Advisory Board.





Chappell School is a World Language Magnet Cluster School located in the north side of Chicago


Several things he said caught my attention. First, the need to create creative and bilingual students, not students who follow rules. This is interesting as rules and its adherence has always be a pillar of schools today. Secondly, Professor Khoo stressed that schools must not operate in isolation, they must involve parents. Third, facilities are not important, its the teacher. He gave the example of Plato and Socrates produced some of the best students under a tree. It seems to be an acknowledgment that a "school" is not as important. It's the teacher and the learning process.

Perhaps it is time for a shift in paradigm and move away from schools. True creativity and thinking our of the box of our education system, not necessarily build bigger boxes.

When will we can break out from the walls schools?



Read the NST articles here and and Prof Khoo's piece here.