The leakage of questions...UPSR 2014 It's implications on how people see education nowadays.

It is a common phenomenon that majority students wish to score well in the examination regardless he or she is hard working, how much effort has been put in and how many long and suffering hours spent in school, tuition classes and home.

Undoubtedly, to do well in studies has been a compulsory for people nowadays where they believe that life in future can be promising once they have acquired the professional knowledge or professional skills in making a living. The notion of earning well, unlimitless potential unleashed.

But, does knowledge itself equal to wisdom? Do results more important than humanity? Well, the former is very much appealing to most. I think the dream of chasing amassing material things is the culprit which deteriorates the real meaning of education. 

Certainly, the high expectations from parents, teachers, society and children themselves contribute to the unhealthy trend of pursuing good grades.

Just so recently Malaysian primary six pupils all over the country, approximately four hundred and seventy thousand of them have been sitting for their so called 'first vital exam"in life as if it is a ticket to bright future.

What's interesting behind it is the leakage of questions that has been widely spread. The credits go to the advancement of technology especially smart phone where one can simply snap and share, using fingers, in merely seconds. 

Therefore, the science and 041 English papers have to be postponed due to serious leakage via all kinds of applications like wechat, line, whats app, etc.

Now, the questions come. How would the questions leak even though the authority has done everything to ensure its safety, validity and credibility? Is there something wrong with the ones who set the questions?

Perhaps, the ones who did the printing, the ones who sent the questions to the room for storing exam papers, the school authority who were so eager to glance at the questions, for the sake of fulfilling their curiousity? I bet you understood the metaphor.

Whatever, don't you think it happens every year? It is always present tense. I believe the greed of money causes unethical act of officers who might have stolen the questions to satisfy any party who paid a handsome sum of money. See, money and desire, the root of evil. This is definitely againts conscience. 

But money is already a new god in 21st century. 

Also, I heard that one of the tuition organisations which is having perhaps hundred over centers in our country would normally get accurate questions without fail for all levels of malaysian public examinations. 

The truth is unknown but we can't rule out this possibility where some see education as a lucrative business. Sigh, this surely leads to brain drain of our future leaders if more children are in the hands of the so called educators.

Some put the blame on tutors where they proudly give a statement that tutors are merely 'prostituting the knowledge'. They claimed the fallacy of education is caused by tutors out there. 

Also, they mentioned that tutors will only go for money as they can make tonnes of cash and the real teaching is not emphasized.

Personally, i can't deny that some tutors might be teaching because of money but fortunately it is also a fact that many tutors do educate the young children, not only providing them with sufficient and clear concept but also moulding them to become a better human being.  

Sadly, due to the rat race and paper chase perception, some parents, students, teachers or public see results as the sole most important criteria to determine success of a student. 

Besides, results seem to become a part and parcel for many to judge a person's intelligence and capability. How far do you agree with this?

The truth is it is not merely aptitude, but attitude that can determine a student's altitude. But, how many people listen to this? Like the saying, 'the most regrettable thing in life is people don't actually listen to the advice'.

Well, how sad the fact is even for educators many do not see a student as a whole where life lessons, living philosophy, compassion, determination, courage, and self-sacrifice spirit are the qualities in making our young souls live with grace and dignity. 

Too much emphasis on studies will only suffocate our children who supposed to enjoy teenage life, who should explore the world of knowledge but not deadly memorize the fact. 

That is why we can't blame anyone if oversea or local instituitions and employers complain that our children do lack of creativity and pionering  spirit due to the typical malaysian spirit of chasing for mere results.

There is nothing absolute good or bad. It is something we give or take. When are are able to decipher what's good and evil, we will then refrain from floundering in a morass of greed for power, greed for fame, greed for money and status. We then lead a fruiftul life!

One never knows how influential he is, one never knows how much and how deep his influence can bring to the generations, and he is a teacher.

TEACHING FORM 6 (MUET)

Years gone by and still,
Teaching is always a deal,
But to which form i teach?
It isn't quite so within my reach.

Supposedly a Form 6 Muet Teacher,
Due to unforeseen circumstances,
Was asked to have fun with Form 2 kids,
Spoiling my mood at first place,
But grew to accept the fact.

A month had passed with Big Boys and Girls,
They seem not only students,
But children whom i gotta shower with care,
A bunch of happy kids,
Awaiting dedication and appreciation.

In facing the sun,
We shall not see the shadow,
In hoping for the best for them,
Not only in Exam but English for life,

I SHALL BE THERE!!!

AH YEW IS BACK...

After a long while of not writing, i am now coming back to sway and colorize my blog. Lol, if it does...

Today i had a lesson with conversation class's students and i discovered something that amazed me a lot. Well, we actually discussed about the last words before one's death. 

It is of course difficult to imagine the situation when we are dying and we gotta think of the words and say to those either we love or cherish. Everyone typically thinks and believes that death is still far away, and they not gonna die so early. Yet, who knows? 

God of death will not knock on your door in the morning and give you a warm signal that you are gonna leave the world. Things just happen so coincidently, so surprisingly, without us knowing. 

And no one can be sure whether or not he/she is able to brush their teeth the very next day. Like i said, things happen out of our expectation, and beyond our control and imagination. 

Therefore, we should get mentally and psychologically prepared for that time to come. 

My students took turn to present their views regarding the last words they would say, to whom they will talk to, their expectations or regrets. 

Most students had no idea of what to say, perhaps they still can't put their shoes in the dying situation, or perhaps the lack of compassion is that matters. 

However, a few students of mine did quite well. They tried to imagine that they were dying and the words that came out from their mouths could touch my nerve gently. 

They talked about their love towards parents, friends and siblings.So, when things come from the inner part of our souls, we call them real. At that moment, these students didn't disguise themselves, yet they uncovered everything, nakedly presented their views. Good job kids!

Death comes abruptly, death knocks on our door and brings us away. 

Life is not measured by how many breathes we take, but how many moments that take our breathes away. 

Do the things that you want to do, pursue your dreams that you have been longing for, say the words to the people you want to say, and make no regrets to our lives. 

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE WASTED! CHERISH IT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!! 

SUCCESS

As I fell in the well,
Darkness surrounded my nerve,
I gasped for air of hopefulness,
The search for freedom began.

Recalling the days in the field,
In the forest,on the hill,
Injuries caused by accidents,
Had never sent me 6 feet underground.

As I grew older,
Tribulation and hardship,
Slowly devouring the nerve,
But wait,
the future of Mine can still proudly be seen.

I learnt the hardest way,
Not to cling on to failure,
Not to dance with disappointment,
But,the acceptance of everything,
Made me a somebody.

I shall now sigh
With relief I don't cry,
I bet my life
Like a passionate sunshine,
And I,
I shall welcome you...
THE SUCCESS OF MINE!

Landing

Seems to be a smooth landing,

The collection of worries,

have fallen onto the place,

nicely and soundly!

I am going to somewhere,

I am heading to a new journey,

full of hopes and challenges,

I shall love it and face it,

with full grace and dignity.

I have landed!

The landing seems smooth.

Time will tell...

I PITY YOU

A month ago or so,
My life seemed so low,
Troubled by cruel prohibition
From a silly fellow 
Who shall face retribution.

I regained my determined senses,
in just a nick of time,
To standstill and fearless,
Ready to fight back in no time.
Wait and see... You Liar!

Perhaps, I believed,
Her conscience and fear,
Struck her so deep by a rogue wave,
Causing so much trivial and tribulations,
on her supposedly-wise-mind and soul,

I pity her,
It is my sympathy.

You Liar,
Lies will always be out of the cat,
You do know it well, right?
Shall I kindly teach you the moral subject?
Better not, even your mum failed to do so?!


I pity you,
It is my sympathy.

# Educators should have conscience to face anything especially our students whom we dearly protect and love#

The Loss and Ignorance of Compassion In Schools

All sentient beings possess flesh and blood, feelings and emotions. It is undoubtedly true that we all need to be respected, recognized, encouraged and understood. We then feel more graceful that our smiles can be broad and our lives can be that significant. 

 On the contrary, what will happen if compassion is lost? People are not thinking in others' shoes. People have tendency towards stereotype, they begin to seriously judge others using their own single-minded perception. People are distrusting one another and also people live in agony, in hatred, in disbelief, in disappointment and dilemma. 

 Quite a number of cases regarding insensitivity of compassion keeps happening in schools. It is definitely a saddened fact where many out there can't agree more with my statement.

 Before i became a school teacher, I have always believed that those who teach are real educators, who not only impart the knowledge but understand students' needs. Teachers are not preachers. But, do all educators so passionate and dedicated about teaching? Well, a question mark has been emerged! 

I always have strong belief that leaders in schools should have more compassion, either towards teachers or students. Before implementing any new policy, it must have gotten mutual understanding between different parties and so teachers can wholeheartedly run the deals and students can follow it with pleasure and determination as there is win-win situation for all in one vision.

 Sadly, i have come across a special leader in school who only thinks she is right all the time. She believes hers are the only divine words while others are improper and ignorant. Why do I say so? She claims that a teacher who is not putting on tie or name tag is "not professional'. 

Well, in such humid and temperate weather, having to deal with so many children in puberty, that tie is more "professional" than the pedagogical and psychological skills that teachers should possess. Perhaps, people working in air-conditioned office have different thinking towards "tie" and "professionalism". 

 She also claims that teachers should never sit in the classroom. Indeed, I put my hands up and agree with this. But, let's have some compassion and come to think of that, the teachers who sit might be sick; the teachers who sit might be marking students' paragraph-writing; the teachers who sit for a while might have been standing for hours having taught other classes.

 She simply claims that teachers never perform well in school even though the teachers have always finished all kinds of school work in time. The sweeping statements that uttered by her can actually kill teachers' passion towards their profession. The distrust in teachers' ability can demolish teachers' willingness to go beyond sacrifice.

 A new transferred teacher is malevolently asked to handle students at the school hostel from 3p.m to 10p.m (Not teaching, but to ensure students do their work). Working extra hours is one, what makes things worse is this teacher's husband is facing serious health problem, she now has to sacrifice personal's private time in school, not able to attend to his ailing husband waiting pitifully at home. 

 There are lots and lots more to be listed out... 

 The loss and ignorance of compassion can really be a pain in the neck. The suffering is made. I pledge, please have more compassion especially those respected educators. Remember, your words and inconsideration are sharper than the swords, more poisonous than the most poisonous poison found on earth. Compassion is vital to make a difference in children's lives. Don't misuse it!

THE NEW ROAD

As i walk in the grey pavement,
it suddenly turns blue,
The person who leads in my school,
Makes teachers and students,
infected by Flu.

Believing i have patience,
Believing i have tolerance,
Believing i have compassion,
Still, Sadly, I find it hard to let go, her unreasonable predicament!

Now, I am finally freed.
No longer like heaven and hell, locked in a cage.
When a hope is being stolen,
vanished into ashes,
gone by the wind.

A new road has to be founded,
to leave the sadness and welcome
a brightly lighted future that might spark
and shine and lead my life to paradise.

 HMM... THE NEW ROAD! Is now certain. It is time to go... Bless me!!!

LOVING KINDNESS

Loving Kindness For the paths We have come across , For the perspiration We have desperately sweated, For the disasters We have experienced, For the fallacy of humans We have witnessed , But for the kindness We have delightfully received, Yours are the earth entwined by sacred hearts , Flow to our nerves and sinews. I know ,I do know , The acme of abstruse circumstances, The peak of devastating, malevolent incidents, that wounded us deeply ,madly . Even so, Fear not my fellow men , We worship you all for leading an aegis life , with abundance of lime light , lighted your life and the poor and the less fortunate , We help ,we serve and we care , Compassion is our mission The abrogation of facts, never burn us out , To all we love , To all we serve , In the name of god , Build your hope and be feted by smile , Loving kindness is that counts.

Colourful sky

Many out there,wandering like clouds,
to nowhere they head to.
The journey...stumbling and challenging,
thunder storming and disastrous happening,
so cool and amazing.
But, as the wanderer become navigators,
they seem to be more remarkable as experiences do count.
And so,they lead life like a colourful sky.

Absurdity of Malaysian Policy

The myth of the myths,
The wonder of wonders,
Turning our people,
Body contorted,
And eyeballs devastated.

Instability of races,
Injustice of economies,
Unfair treatment of education,
Unlogical doings of policy,
Killing the generations,
young and old,
softly with intended melody.

Super star award,
Hollywood,Bollywood or any,
Wooden award in Malaysia,
Should be presented to,
these sarcastic actors or actresses.

A garland of roses,
Should also be provided,
As a mean of appreciation,
for their WONDERFUL contribution
That makes Malaysia a promising
land of foreseen anticipation.

Now,let's make a wall of people,
Fighting again those impostors,
Returning us,our fertile land,
Back to people,to all Malaysians,
Let's stop the absurding of Malaysian Policy.

Love Poem(Just one more time)

Back at two,
Sitting on the sofa,
Accompanied by loneliness,
Still,staring at the tv,
Brain couldn't stop wondering...

The words you uttered,
Kept me in a cage,
Struggling to gain independance,
Sadly,I lost my freedom,
By pouring out loud my explanation...
Beep...beep...beep...
Speechless!!!

If only time could come back,
Just one more time,
The truth would be revealed,
and confessed...
Be it sucessful or failure.

I do not care,
Please believe that,
Yours are the earth which empowered
the souls of human beings,
that got my nerve and...my love.

The breathing...stolen by you silently,
as you are definitely amazing,
and your lips are absolutely welcoming,
making me compulsory to hold you in my arms
for far longer than forever,
If,Just ONE more time.

HELLO 2012, GOODBYE 2011.

HELLO 2012,
GOODBYE 2011.

Yesterdays were merely a dream,
Leaving behind wondrous memories,

As if roaming in a santuary,
And learned profoundably knowledge,

The sacredness of relationship and friendship,
Gone through gracefully by wisdom and Love,

Perspiration, Exhaustion, Disappointment,
Happiness, Sweetness, Excitement,

Having tasted colorful emotions,
In 2011 with full anticipation,

I, Alex Yew,
Looking forward to 2012
with abundant expectations.

Hello 2012,
Goobye 2011:-)

A CUP OF TEA

Different tastes and
it serves for different purposes
and people who consume it
not merely by mouth but heart.

A cup of tea ,
comprises of memories ,
childhood, teenage and adulthood ,
recaping pictoreque scenery.

Bringing us to roam freely in the past,
As if days could have come back,
And so the past is movie... yet amazing.

Those little things worthfully kept,
thinking back from a cup of tea .

SPM INVIGILATION

Alone...
Standing and wandering
nowhere.
Like an aimless, headless flies
So suffering and
totally torturing.

Who would willingly
Sacrifice for such
Damn lower paid stuff?
Someone? No one? I doubt...

We...
Young teachers...
By force
And so unhappy and
Unsatisfied...

However, we still hold the Duty,
and shoulder our Responsibility,
as Humanity
Prevails over Intensity.

Stop being ruthless and inhumane

I refer to “Sin Chew Daily, 18 Oct” a news about a shocking accident took place in Guang Zhou, China. A two-year-old girl was twice being knocked down and crashed over by car wheels but the drivers pretended as if nothing had happened, accelerated and freed.

According to the news, a CCTV recorded the scene, and what made people even more frustrated is there were eighteen ‘blinded’ pedestrians who passed by the poor girl but none was willing to lend a helping hand although they could vividly see a pool of blood and the girl was in excruciating pain lying helplessly and fragilely on the road for more than 2 minutes. She was then pulled aside by an old nanny who kept on shouting loudly for help.

Now, the grieving parents are moaning in pain, struggling and wailing as their beloved little queen has just passed away at a hospital yesterday. Why should she suffer like this? Why should she be treated this way? Why should she be the victim of this cruel society?


I have no idea why would this happen to the people and country of so called five thousand years of precious civilization. Values like politeness, respect, humbleness, compassion and etc are supposed to be inculcated into their souls as advocated by Lao Tze or Confucius. But, the fact is not. Knowing how to care and love, willing to help and serve, are also the values stressed and emphasized in traditional Chinese families. But, again, sadly, the fact is not.

I believe that an inhumane society is no better than a bunch of zombies wandering like nobody. They are cold blooded and malevolent. As such, people living there will have no hopes for survive if they face difficulties as no one is willing to lend a helping hand. And so, everyone will be extremely pragmatic and individualistic. They will have no friends, no souls, and no life. Everything is fake and unrealistic.

We as humans, we shall never accept such ruthless act. So, what should we do to ensure that our country and people are living harmoniously, peacefully and compassionately? In my opinion, all parties should hand in hand, work together to make it works. Undoubtedly, schools and parents play the biggest roles in shaping a child’s mind and perception. Worthwhile values should be instilled to children since young.

In short, let’s not be ruthless and inhumane. Let’s be helpful and tender. Well, let’s pray for the pitiful girl, may she rest in peace and hopefully our mighty god will lead her to heaven.

REAL SCENARIO OF ENGLISH WRITING IN SCHOOLS

If there is anyone out there, who concerns about our children’s English writing especially in secondary schools, who actually advocates writing as an effective practice to train students’ logical thinking, delivering thoughts through words fluently and systematically either vocal or written? If yes, we are in the same boat.

As a school teacher, at times, I am quite at a loss to the matter of fact that writing seems to be a taboo and a mission impossible for many weak students and surprisingly it even goes the same to some students in elite classes. This is so due to some foreseen but excusably reasons.

Well, It is believed that students do lack of self confidence in writing in English language, lack of proficiency in grammar, language structure and also the ways of doing it. Most of all, students do not get enough exposure to writing.

In some worrying yet shocking cases, students are only given one to two or even none essay writing throughout the year. To make things worse, some educators have a tendency believing that students’ can’t write. Ridiculously, some even desperately think that writing is done by memorizing model essays and they call this as writing.
In fact, writing is not merely written to score in exams. It is trained to make their minds roam freely with pleasures and gradually find it a wonderful journey in expressing one’s ideas effectively.

Writing can be well nurtured if students are given chances to do so. Therefore, educators should encourage the young blood to discover their true-self via doing self reflection on their own behaviors as they write, observing human nature, people or things happening around them and hence gain experiences, awareness, philosophy of life and most of all wisdom.

Please don’t doubt students’ ability in writing, please don’t kill but build their interest, please go extra miles to support, facilitate and tolerate their mistakes made, please make them feel that writing Is a pleasurable pass time that students can enjoy in the world of language.

Teachers and parents should encourage our children to explore freewriting, journals, articles, story, poems or go blogging. We try to create an environment for our children to use a foreign language confidently and courageously as a preparation for them to stand on the stage of world one-day with grace.

Believe me that children are more learnable than we think, more appreciative than they seem, and more creative than we believe. Let’s hand in hand, make our children become thinkers with souls, not thinkerers without minds. In short, writing is that counts

STAGE

Scurrying at first,
Gaining the second,
Exciting at last.

STAGE

Showing traits of characters
building up one's confidence
Life...like a drama
of all sorts...
of all kinds...
experiences that we pass-by,
full of jealously and envious,
filled with joys and laughter,
consisting of inspiration
and desperation,
Life...
Truly a stage of representing abilities
toward SELF-ACTUALIZATION!

FAN

It eases my mood,
It smooths my mind,
How clever the inventer was,
to make people smile.