Civic Classes

[chenchow]

From the year of 2005, Civic Classes would be introduced in all schools. It would replace Moral Education once and for all. It would also mean that religious studies would be held after school hours.

It would be in the hope of instilling a lifetime of good values and ethical behaviour.

A more in depth details in the articles below:
http://www2.recom.org:8000/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=703&mode=&order=0&thold=0

What do everyone thinks on this issue?
This is a very significant change in our Education System and hope that everyone could comment on it.

[jiinjoo]

Totally agree!

I remember cursing (well not really cursing, just thought it was a waste of time for a while) S'pore civics tutorial courses. It is basically a period each week where the class teacher gets to do anything he or she wants, which includes a set of mandatory material that includes how to be a better person in general.

Now this set of material includes, among other things, most of what we have for moral, but since it is conducted informally, we get to relate experiences and give opinions, instead of just swallowing the textbook whole.

The topics does not stop there. We discuss politics, present day issues, economics, psychology, watch documentaries (sometimes related movies), play those organizational behavior game (I heard about game theory in my CT class), and much more. All these materials are essential as background knowledge to create a civil society, because of the inherent diversity in our society. Understanding what others think and making sure that we get to the bottom line for each and every issue that we discuss is crucial in that sense..

(You mght ask why I curse the course, but that has nothing to do with the benefit of this. I didn't like it because I'm always playing opposition in class, versus 20+ pro-pap singaporeans, something like that.. Couldn't appreciate things that we discuss that deeply yet. End aside)

One last thing I like about the way CT class is conducted is that the teacher like to solicit feedback on all sorts of things in the school. The class will come to some resolution onthe issue and the teacher or the monitor will take down our opinion to present it to some higher authority.

IMHO, civics class should have elements that I've described above, and also a lot more cultural elements, especially when we really don't know the way of life of our own fellow Malaysians. It will be interesting to hold multi school dialogues via video conferencing for that period, or do some community service as part of the class activity (I know that there're lots of initiatives already, but it's never enough for the eventual creation of a "civil society"). You know, I always thought it would be great if we can have class outings that visits mosques, temples etc, and have different classmates plan/lead the outing, and explain their customs. We can then come back and write essays on the trip, and make the result into a small booklet and photocopy it for everyone. That's just an example.

More opinions on how a civics class can be conducted?

[chenchow]

Those are fantastic suggestions. I would suggest that we set a date for everyone to submit details and we could consolidate it and submit to newspaper.

[Schye]

From the year of 2005, Civic Classes would be introduced in all schools. It would replace Moral Education once and for all. It would also mean that religious studies would be held after school hours.

Finally... late is always better than never huh.
How lucky are the students now.
However, I think for a class like this, the syllabus is quite important so that the teachers will have a guide on what to teach. This will also make sure that the teacher won?t impose their own thinking to those pupils.

The Civic Classes should have some time for free speeches too but just keep it in the class which means everything talked will be over after the class ends. My class always had that session whenever the teachers are absent. Our school counseling teacher will come and let us express our opinions on certain issues. Of course there are some sensitive issues too but all of us has agreed on not to talk about it anymore after class which has helped us to know more about each other.

However, this may probably be another tool for government to get more votes too. What we can do now is just hope that it wouldn?t be or maybe we could put this into the letter that we want to send later too.

Really looking forward to see the syllabus when they have come out with it.

[chenchow]

In fact, I think it is possible to do what Schye is saying that allowing students to freely express their opinion. It would be a very good exercise and also it is a good practice for students to speak responsibly, which means students can't just simply assert on an idea, but need to substantiate it with convincing arguments.

[jiinjoo]

However, this may probably be another tool for government to get more votes too. What we can do now is just hope that it wouldn?t be or maybe we could put this into the letter that we want to send later too.

Can you explain what the government would do if they want to achieve this?

[jiahui]

Definitely this would be way better than the moral education that we're havin now, if it ever is implemented in a well-designed manner of coz. The moral classes that we used to have are too theory-oriented, sorry to say that, but that's just what I feel. Have yet to see any practical element in it.

It'd be really great if current issues and all the blah blahs that were mentioned by jinjoo could be incorporated into the syllabus, and gettin every student to participate in such discussion for a better outcome. For example, if not research (can be on any related topic, for instance, corruption mentioned in the paper), provide the students with some articles or case studies durin the class, and by the end of the class, get all the groups which are formed earlier on to throw out thier opinions and conclusions on their respective task, hence allowin them to know thier responsibilities or what have they in a more practical manner, at the same time shape their civic mind as since the cases are of real life, meanin, it could have happened to them in any point of time, be it when they're still a student or outta work, so for sure, what they've gotten outta class would be bound stronger their thinkin.

Personally, I think message can get across more efficiently in this manner as this way sorta help in building one's critical thinkin, rather than havin them memorizing all the moral values that they should have without providin them with real life cases and consequences that 've already been known.

Field trip is definitely an excellant one!! No doubt that one will feel a greater impact and get more outta it as all thier senses (vision, hearing, touch) are workin concurrently to pick up what have they.

Sheeesh, gettin real tired of typin now...to be continued...=p

[chenchow]

jiahui, the field trip that you have suggested would be very beneficial, but it would be impractical to be in civic classes, as usally civic classes would only be a period or two per week and going on field trips will affect classes for the whole day.

Recalling my high school time, we do have a lot of field trips, but generally on Saturday. During my few years there, I have been to not less than 10 manufacturing plants or so, from high tech one like Sony, Acer and other wafer manufacturing in Penang, to even cement production, paper production, soft drink manufacturing, or even Twistee factory!

[jiahui]

I think still..=)..it's a great one to go for, I mean the field trip...u know, u dont hafto make it a day trip, 2 hours are sufficient for a short trip, jsut go places around the city...there are plenty of choices for them to pick. Even if it's just walkin along the street and observe the surrounding, one can gain lots from there, of coz there must be a guide on what they should be lookin for, say before the trip, they shall be given some questions sheets or what have they, and it can only be done in small group to be more organised I reckon. Well, at least this is what is done over here. And I wont say the classes are affected, to me, the students are still havin class and learnin stuff, mayb even better, but just in a different environment, and I could say that this can for sure boost up one's interest...as a classroom study can nv be as casual and lively as an outdoor one. Esply on this sorta subject, in which most of the students will think that they already sorta have those knowledge and it's just crap to attending class in a 4 walls classroom..moral classe that we'd are a classic example..I'm ashamed that I was behavin like that towards that, but heh..if time was to rewind, I think my attitude still wont change much.

Or, if not travellin further, they can conduct classes outside the school...say a park or somethin..sharkks, I forgot bout m'sia's weather...darn! might not work I guess, who the hell will want to stay out under steamin hot day?! heh.

[chenchow]

yeah, and I think during those classes or during other time slots where it is possible, visit to old folks home, orphanage, hospital, police station etc would bring a very good lesson to the students.

During my high school time, we often have field trip to old folks home or orphanage, where we help clean up the area for them, prepare a better meal for them and play with them. It is a very meaningful activity.

Going to hospital and if possible, having the opportunity to talk to patients, may help the patients in their recovery. It would also instill a sense of understanding and caring among the students.

All these will fit into civic and it will produce civic-minded citizen of Malaysia.

Yeah, another thing, there must be a way to come up to teach the younger generation of not vandalizing public property, keeping cleanliness. Those are very important issues.

[Chyi]

Sometimes I asked myself, how much did I study or learn in school?
We had all the academics subjects, studying languages, science, history, geography and so on. Honestly when I was in secondary school, I studied only to score higer marks.
We had Moral Education in our high school classes. we learn the answering skill during classes and learn how to tackle SPM's questions. and I did mathematics homework during history classes, (and now I read bout Asian and Europe history myself since I found it interesting).
So, what did I learn in classes? perhaps learning how to get good results in public exam.

Club activities really enriched our life. We can practice organising skill during those activities. We have a school rule that every student must join at least one uniform society, one club or society and a sports club. We didnt have field trips during our lessons but we organise it as our club activities (I think this is really good because we are going somewhere we are interested to go). We organised history trips to historical sites, volunteering activities in old folks home.

and working during the holidays really give the students good exposure of the society. working in a supermarket or sth during school holidays is not only earning extra pocket money, one can really learn a lot from it. like how to deal with people, to be a more responsible person.
and it is a good lesson for honesty working as a cashier. and this is a good way to curb corruption. :wink:

[Schye]

However, this may probably be another tool for government to get more votes too. What we can do now is just hope that it wouldn?t be or maybe we could put this into the letter that we want to send later too.

Can you explain what the government would do if they want to achieve this?

I am afraid that they may state that against the government or joining a demonstration is against the teaching/morale. As I think demonstrations especially those peaceful demonstrations should be allowed. If I am not mistaken, it is against the law in Malaysia as we can be charged of having gathering illegally/:arrow: mengganggu ketenteraman awam. Many demonstrations/gatherings have been force to stop under the rules above. Maybe I am worrying too much about this, but I just want to state out the possibilities.

By the way, I think we can suggest doing some volunteer works during the classes too. Starting from help to clean the area around the school (my college here in Japan did it once a month - walking around the area outside the college and pick all the rubbish) I think students will think twice when they want to litter at those area as it is the area cleaned up by them.

As an interactor(the junior club of rotary), I did a lot of these activities when i was in secondary school such as helping to paint the old folk's home, visiting orphanage, collecting funds and clothes for them etc.Until now, even in Japan, i still go to orphanage twice in three weeks(take turns with other school volunteers). I think these can be organize too during the class so that they will know that there are unfortunate people in the world too who need their care and helps.

[silverblue]

Chen Chow, do you know what the Civic Classes syllabus will look like or what the government is planning to incorporate in it? If you could find more information about it from the newspapers, that'd be great...

Is the government also incorporating something like cultural studies? Like teach students about the cultures of the main races in Malaysia or sth like that? Cos that's what I heard they were replacing Moral Studies with...

[littlebigone]

schye's idea about cleaning up the area around the school premises and other voluntary work is really good.

Personally I just want to add that I think the government should learn to respect the students. A lot of times, in Moral studies, they will simply shove "facts" of morality for students to follow. But I think students today are really smart. I think they will understand if provided with more information.

For example, when they tell us to "jaga kebersihan" they don't tell us the detrimental effects of littering. I think the only reasons they will give are "busuk, penyakit, sakit mata". I think they should provide more information, like how, why, what. I think especially important is how all their actions have a chain effect that will inevitably lead back to us.