Pray for Peace

We still remember, we must not forget. Pray for peace!

Hiroshima, Aug 6, 1949

Higher Education: Where Got Crisis?

By Fahmi Reza

Picked this up from from LoyarBurok.com 

Watch PopIN’s Minister of Higher Education YB Fahmi Reza’s slideshow presentation and the video of his address on the crisis of Higher Education in Malaysia recorded during PopIN PopOUT 3: PM PM! event at Central Market Annexe, on 12 June 2010. He takes us through the shift in access to higher education in Malaysia from colonial days to the recent 10th Malaysia Plan – to illustrate how the Government is going against Article 12 of the Federal Constitution.

Learning@ Home (Jul 24)

Together with Wai Leng, we will be sharing our thoughts on learning at home.  This is to help parents understand and appreciate the fact that learning is not just about academics but involves creativity, expression and communication.  In this session we will share our thoughts on learning, different approaches to learning as well learning styles.

This session also serves as a platform to dialogue on homeschooling - if homeschooling is the way for you children, or if you just want to find out more.

Datuk Paul Low on Corruption in Malaysia

Interesting, if you have missed this earlier this morning....

Interview on BFM Radio

One year ago...we remember.

I do not know him. I have not personally met him.  Yet, I feel grief on this day - for it was one year ago that his life ended tragically. Circumstances surrounding Teoh Beng Hock's death is still a mystery.  As I read the news on the blogs and online media - I still find it hard to believe that such a thing happened.

TI-M Press Statement on Freedom of Information Enactment Bill 2010

15 July 2010

STATEMENT FROM TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL – MALAYSIA

Tabling of Freedom of Information Enactment Bill 2010 (FOI Bill) in Selangor State Assembly Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) commends the Selangor state government for taking the first and important step towards Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation in Malaysia. TI-M and many organisations have been advocating FOI legislation at all levels of government, for transparency the people's right to information. FOI is a crucial component of a national integrity system for integrity, transparency and accountability.

Found in Conversation, Come join us.

I will be there too. July 25, 2010. Details below. 

Should be interesting.

TI-M Press Statement: Statement on Contract Award to PLUS

Another one, if cannot find this in our local press:

PRESS RELEASE

9 July 2010

Statement on Contract Award to PLUS

TI-M Press Release: Statement on Appointment of Selangor Local Councilors

If you do not find this is the press.

 
PRESS RELEASE

9 July 2010
 
Statement on Appointment of Selangor Local Councilors

It's not about spelling too!

Met a friend recently. He lamented that his son, aged past 10 - could not spell (in English of course) properly. My answer, what's the problem?

It's not the exam-lah!

I receive more emails regarding the previous article - I would like to stress that it is not about the examinations-lah, it is about education. Examinations (no examinations) DOES NOT EQUALS education! We cannot just make small fixes and expect things to work.

PMR/UPSR - to abolish or not?

The world seems divided - yes or no? I personally think that this is not the issue.

If a 50 year old car is not working and cannot take the driver and the passengers to it's intended destination, the car needs to be replaced! Simple! One cannot think of merely replacing parts, discuss if it needs to be replaced and expect the car to run on forever.

Back on line!

After about 3 months, finally we are back on line at home! Now can get back to those long outstanding emails. Cannot believe that it too our service provider to solve a problem as simple as updating some setting on the modem! *sigh*

It took so many calls. Many more emails and a lot of tweets to get their attention.

A word of thanks to the people who gone out of the way to resolve this issue. Thank you!

Cannot understand RMK10

No money... but can build new parliament building, new istana (palace)

No money... but can spend on MRT, most expensive development ever at RM60b.

Talk about human capital development, yer nothing on education transformation or review.

So how? Who's getting rich, who getting poor?

*sigh*

Rethinking Schools (1)

Just thinking out loud:

We send out kids to school, we get locked out. They spend between 5 -
8 hours a day without us parents. Parents cannot go into schools and
no freedom to check on their children. Must have letter, permission and all the
paperwork involved. We see the teachers once or twice a year only to
collect report cards. That's when the teachers tell parents what's
wrong with our kid and we need to take note. The information is almost
useless, historical in nature because any situation to address any
isssues would be too late. Then again, if the school calls us parents
up - it is usually not good news. It is almost like doing time.

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!

IT'S ABOUT PASSION - WHAT EXCITES OUR SPIRIT AND OUR ENERGY.

So,

What are you doing about it - waiting for the revolution or BE part of it?

All Lives are Sacred: A plea to put an end to massive killing in Bangkok

Public Statement

All Lives are Sacred: A plea to put an end to massive killing in Bangkok 

International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) 

Since the beginning of the demonstration by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), aka “Red Shirts”, on 12 March 2010, there have been many hundreds of casualties. In the past five days, attempts to disperse the demonstration in Ratchaprasong have become been violent, with a further effect of provoking violence. The government’s actions have so far failed to deter the demonstrators.
The present clash of political views is one of the great crises in Siam’s modern history. The country was previously acclaimed for settling conflict peacefully and democratically. Now it appears that both sides, the government and the UDD, are clinging to an illusion of victory over another.  The entire nation is hostage to their conflict. Buddhist wisdom is relevant for those absorbed in hatred, greed and delusion. The Dhammapada, Verse 201 says:

Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. Persons who have given up both victory and defeat, the contented, they are happy.

The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), representing a diversity of socially engaged buddhists from around the world, is gravely concerned about this standoff. We wish for all parties address the conflict with reason and tools of peace, to recognize the ancient Buddhist wisdom that neither the so-called winner nor loser will be contented and happy. We encourage those who do not fall into one of the two camps can help this process wherever possible.  Only through peaceful negotiation and dialogue can all parties concerned return the country to its true nature as a flourishing democracy and a peace-loving nation.

Inter religious Dialoge @ Kajang

Had a very good Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Holy Family Church in Kajang this morning, good presentation - sad I could not stay till the end.

Hope this initiative continue to evolve into a greater platform for social transfromation

As promised, those who wanted a copy of my slides (with pictures) can download it HERE

Have great weekend everyone.