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EDU 3101 5th Lecture by Abd Razak Kaprawi 2012

Implications towards educational development in MalaysiaNational Philosophy of Education (FPK)

By reviewing on western philosophies, its has principle and the approach indeveloping and producing the qualified and superior society. This due to the role of knowledge thatis not only functions to provide the explanation and information, but the most important, knowledgeemerges as the medium in influencing, developing, and also shaping the notion of human and thesociety itself. Apparently, the Western education emphasizes on active learning, student-centeredness, meaningful-learning, creativity, compliment-giving and close teacher-studentsrelationship.To begin with, Western education philosophy emphasizes on active learning thatinvolves students’ active participation in class and group discussions. Such education builds upstudents’ confidence to speak in front of the class, which results in creating outspoken andconfident individuals who do not fear to voice their thoughts. Besides, it also train students totolerate and accept other’s opinions, as well as developing their interpersonal skills as theyexchange ideas with each other. In this way, students listen to other’s ideas, and at the same timelearn from their peers. However, active learning is a time-consuming process and may causeinability to complete teaching the syllabus but itcan be encouraged by giving different kinds of exercise to the children.Furthermore, in Western philosophy, most students are given the right to manage and take chargeof their own learning. Such education focuses on development on individual soft skill, byencouraging the students to be initiative, independent and responsible for their own learningprocess. However, it may be abused by both slothful teachers and students.For instance, teachers may not teach, but let the students explore the knowledge on their own,without any advice or guidance from the teachers.From the other view, there is another Western education emphasizes onunderstanding (meaningful learning).Obviously, meaningful learning is better than rote learning. However, like activelearning, problem of time-limitation may occur.Moreover, it will be extremely difficult and unwise for teachers to reasoneverything to the students, as it may be beyond their level of understanding. For instance,a physics

or mathematics formula may need certain knowledge in order to understand how it is derived.Creativity is highly encouraged in Western education. Since students are givenfreedom to express their creativity, they are not afraid to be different or make mistakes. In fact,they are confident in expressing new ideas and discoveries, which may gain objection or sneeringfrom others. They become adventurous and gain many self discoveries.Education philosophy must help cultivate and treasure genius, which is thefoundation of the capacity for making new discoveries and new creations. By sticking to originalityand conformity it’s hard to produce students who are genius and novelty, and without them societyreverts to empty repetition.

Therefore, a good education should encourage conformity to the school’s rules and at the sametime encourage creativity in the learning process.

Besides, Western culture believes in complimenting the child to motivate them to work hard. It is agood initiative to be implemented in the education as it helps to build positive self-concept andboost self confidence among students. With positive self concept, students will have positivethinking about themselves and the world. Once they believe that they can do it, they will work hardto achieve the goal. Due to self-fulfilling prophecy, such students will stand a high chance tosucceed in life. Nevertheless, frequent complimenting will decrease the effect of the compliment.Furthermore, in Western students have a good rapport with their teachers. This is highlyencouraged, as trusting relationship between teacher and student minimizes antagonism andmaximizes mutual understanding. The more intimate the relationship between teachers andstudents, the more intense the commitment of the participants to the

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project of learning. Good interpersonal relationship influence students’ learning outcomes andenhance the quality of learning. Thus, teachers should treat students as friends and show their love and concern, which will cause students to love them in return.In conclusion, there are no exact good and bad for both Western and Easterneducation philosophies that are of two extremes, which have pros and cons that are opposite fromeach other. Since none of them are totally good or bad, full implementation of either education willbe no-good. Moderation is the key to success.

NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 

“Education in Malaysia is an on going effort towards further developing the potential of individualsin a holistic and integrated manner, in order to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually,emotionally and physically, balanced and harmoniously, based on a firm belief in and devotion toGod. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable andcompetent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achievinga high level of personal well being to contribute to the betterment of the nation, family and society.”  

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3.0 FACTORS IN DEVELOPING FPK 

As mentioned in the concepts of formation of National Philosophy are based on nationalideology, cultures of Malaysian society, Five National Principles, and Education Reportsand Ordinance. Based on all this material there is a few factors that actually determine thecontent and aims of FPK: 

3.1 Religious Factor  The quotation from the FPK “… Produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionallyand physically balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief and devotion to God…” suggestedthe religious factor that present in FPK. At the same time based on the National Principe firstsentence Believe in God is made into a part of the FPK.3.2 Social Factor  

 Another factor is social factor that can be seen on the quotation”…to produce Malaysian citizenthat are capable of achieving a high level of personal wellbeing to contribute to the betterment of the nation, family and society. The harmony and prosperity of the nation depends very much onthe citizen’s practice of tolerance, cooperation and mutual respect among the various citizens.3.3 Political Factor  The third factor is the political factor. Generally it is known that FPK was made up according to thenational ideology which can be reflected on the official documents such as Education Reports,

Malaysia Plans and National Principe. In this respect, the aim of achieving racial unity was one of the basic considerations when palming up the FPK.3.4 Economic Factor  Specialization happens where Malaysians are trained with special skill in various fields can assistin the development of the national economy by upgrading their productivity. Such an aim can beaccomplish with the production of individuals who are knowledgeable and competent, responsibleand capable to contribute towards the betterment of the nation, family and society. The greatambition of Malaysia to be economic strong country.3.5 Individual Factor  Process of education is claimed to be able to develop the potential of an individuals. Theseindividual’s potentials cover all intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical aspects. Holistic development by integrating all potential of individual in such a manner that produce balanced and 

harmonious citizens. Following this positive attitude is tried to be inculcate in individuals, enjoyspiritual peacefulness and ever ready to face challenges in life.3.6 International Factor  The last factor is International factor. Another influential that could not be ignored is theInternational factor that spreads their influence through international education seminars and forumthat have a degree of influence in the design of FPK. One of the examples is the lifelong learningwhich were discussed and adapted by the UNESCO in the eighties. Its importance could be seenfrom the beginning where Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort…, which clearly stated thatthe concept of lifelong learning education with the respect to globalization of educations.