Education 02 (Sep 09 - Jul 10)

[winston]

The function of education

Don't you notice how little energy most of the people around you have, including your parents and teachers? They are slowly dying, even when their bodies are not yet old. Why? Because they have been beaten into submission by society.

You see, without understanding its fundamental purpose which is to find extraordinary thing called the mind, which has the capacity to create atomic submarines and jet planes, which can write the most amazing poetry and prose, which can make the world so beautiful and also destroy the world - without understanding its fundamental purpose, which is to find truth or God, this energy becomes destructive; and then society says, "We must shape and control the energy of the individual."

So, it seems to me that the function of education is to bring about a release of energy in the pursuit of goodness, truth, or God, which in turn makes the individual a true human being and therefore the right kind of citizen.

But mere discipline, without full comprehension of all this, has no meaning, it is a most destructive thing. Unless each one of you is so educated that, when you leave school and go out into the world, you are full of vitality and intelligence, full of abounding energy to find out what is true, you will merely be absorbed by society; you will be smothered, destroyed, miserably unhappy for the rest of your life.

As a river creates the banks which hold it, so the energy which seeks truth creates its own discipline without any form of imposition; and as the river finds the sea, so that energy finds its own freedom.

- Think On These Things, Chapter 24

Source: jkrishnamurthi.com

[millionairemind]

MOE hints no radical overhaul to teaching of Mother Tongue languages
By Jeremy Koh | Posted: 02 June 2010 1847 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Mother Tongue issue has brought out strong emotions, hundreds of letters to the media, and even more postings on the Internet.

But in her first public comments on the review of Mother Tongue languages (MTL), the Director-General of Education, Ho Peng, hinted there won't be a radical overhaul to the teaching and learning.

Instead, it will build on the strengths of what's in place.

Some of the changes introduced to the teaching and learning of Mother Tongue languages over the last few years include using gadgets such as hand-held tablet PCs in class, and having a greater emphasis on speaking and listening.

"What we've implemented in 2007 is beginning to show good results. So going forward, it's about building on the strengths that we have, and the good things that's been put in place," said Ho, who is the chairperson of the MTL Review Committee.

Ms Ho's committee has been tasked to look into how Mother Tongue languages can be taught to cater to different proficiencies.

But she said discussions on the review are on-ongoing, and she's not ready to make any announcements.

Said Ho: "We've looked at the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. We've also gone to USA just to look at ideas, not so much the learning and teaching parts, (but to) look at ideas, and also to Australia.

"So we've looked at a few systems for ourselves to be quite clear about the directions we should go in terms of Mother Tongue instruction."

And one thing is clear - infocomm technology (ICT) will play an increasingly larger role in the teaching and learning of Mother Tongue languages.

"You're talking about digital natives. Children in fact connect very readily and easily with ICT. So I think in terms of teaching and learning in the classroom, we really need to use ICT in order to engage the next generation," said Ho.

The committee is expected to come up with a revised Mother Tongue language curriculum for lower primary levels by year's end.

And further changes will be fully implemented over 5 to 10 years. - CNA /ls

[iam802]

Ha!

ICT to teach Mother Tongue languages.

[kennynah]

you must know who Ho Peng is.... back mountain is so strong...what she says... who dares oppose? not even the ministar....

[iam802]

You know lar....gahmen financial year just ended in April.

So, everyone must present their new initiatives.

KPI mah.

[kennynah]

You know lar....gahmen financial year just ended in April.

So, everyone must present their new initiatives.

KPI mah.

this one...applicable only to those outside the "circle".... those insiders... no worries...they only have to make sure the empire stays in power... and they'll continue to prosper... KPIs are meant for non-relations...

[winston]

"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."

Jim Rohn