Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol SOME have described them as “lazy” and “set in their ways”. Others say they are a contented lot, happy with their traditional way of life and cannot be changed. A former school teacher, who taught in a primary school in Gerik, shared her tales of dealing with the community. “It’s not easy dealing with orang asli children. Most of them are not eager to learn and often skip school. However, the school does not take action as we want to encourage them to stay in school,” she said, requesting anonymity. “Some of them come to school in slippers, sometimes without uniforms. During examinations, we will coach them to ensure they score the bare minimum. This is the reality no one speaks about.” The Education Ministry, or at least those administrating schools in the outskirts, know this. When seven children from SK Pos Tohoi in Gua Musang went missing on Aug 23, the horror tales emerged. Many earlie...

As published in Malay Mail today. KUALA LUMPUR — The UPSR fiasco has now thrust teachers teaching at tuition centres in the spotlight. Working groups within the Education Ministry’s task force, set up soon after two UPSR papers were leaked, were deliberating the roles played by these teachers as their work ethics and tax issues were raised. The UPSR Science and English Language papers were last week leaked forcing pupils to resit both papers on September 30. Ministry insiders claim the saga would eventually result a total shake up. “We have heard students complaining teachers tend to teach minimal during school hours but provide more during their tuition classes. This is against the work ethics as teachers are supposed to give their best in school,” said the source. “Also, these teachers would tend to promise obtaining questions that would come out during the examinations. Some are confident enough to tell their students the questions were supplie...