When we cane, we have FAILED

PARENT WHO CARE: STOP THE CANING

Caning in schools is NOT RIGHT! Infact, CANING IS NOT RIGHT! It should be abolish if we can are serious about making schools learning and knowledge centers. It is a place where children learn or at least be provided the opportunity to learn. It is a platform for the young to be nurtured to be better people. By caning students, we have gone against our educational policy of "...developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic....". How can you teach people as you beat them up? How will their self-esteem be after caning? How do other students see them? More importantly how will teachers see them?

Instead we are preparing children who are fearful, unthinking in an environment which is unforgiving and at times heartless. If we cane (and expel, practised today) what message are we telling our children? One message is clear is that: "It's the child's fault!" They cannot change, they have committed a mistake. Where did children their behavior from? From the moment they are born or from us adults? Are we conveying the message that we it is okay to hurt another person if they cannot change or do not agree with you - no fault of theirs?

Let us think about why we cane? Is it because nothing else works? Or is that we have given up trying and take the easy way out by pulling out the cane? Is is because teachers have no time, to counsel, talk and to the students and/or their parents? Counseling surely takes time - people cannot change overnight. Does school teachers/counselors have the time? Some teachers will say, the kids are rotten, bully and break every rule in the school. My message to the school authorities is: " In that case, just shoot them! It will save the country a lot of money and the police will surely not have to deal with it 10-20 years down the road".

I see it as a failure on the school (and to a great extent) the parents as well. As teachers and parents we have failed to listen when we decided to use the cane. Sure some will turn out good but most will not.

Most importantly, the message given to the younger children is that "violence is okay" - this is a scary thought.

In this aspect, schools have failed.

Schools need to find the solutions to the problem of the young, not pass it on to the future and lets others (police) handle it. As difficult as it may be, it has to be done. Stakeholders need to come together and work out the solutions. The Minister need to drive change and bring commitment to educate the children with that same fervent energy as he raises the kris (and defends it). It would be really refreshing if out Minister defend children - give them the due respect and recognition they deserve.

The path is difficult but can be done. if we put our minds and hearts to it and focus on our children. They do not deserve this at all.

Time to make a change.

Something for our minister to think about:
Kenya Outlaws Caning in School

More news on this topic in
Malaysiakini
New Straits Times

Detained children to be 'rehabilitated'???

For those who just woke-up, on November 10,2007 Malaysia witnessed its first major peaceful "demonstration"/march/walk (whatever it is called) to drive electoral reform. The event was organized by BERSIH (http://www.bersih.org)

I can understand what the police locked down the entire city on that and had to spray acid laced water and shoot tear gas at the people (not that I agree) but I CANNOT UNDERSTAND why the children (as young as 6) had to be detained and have their statement taken! Now these children will have to be rehabilitated. See Detained children to be 'rehabilitated'. Is this desperate or a stupid move? Who are are real people who needs to be detained (if they really need to)? The police have summoned the four key political leaders involved in the event for statements to be recorded - why the children?

For photos click here. For more information, click on BERSIH above or check this out for tons of links and photos.

FREE THE CHILDREN AND LEAVE THEM ALONE! GO CATCH THE BAD GUYS!