morpheous
26-03-2004, 01:40 AM
Any feedbacks from recom folk???
Beware poor standard of 3+0 programmes
By J.Y.R., Kuala Lumpur
I refer to the letter "Private colleges just places for latest fashion" (NST, March 22) by Y.S.
The writer is justified in his disillusionment with the private college he is enrolled in. I was associated with private tertiary education institutions for 15 years and I have seen how these institutions are deluding the public into thinking that they are purveyors of quality tertiary education from overseas colleges of high repute and standing.
In the 1970s, private tertiary education institutions began to come on the scene to cater for those who could not get into public universities because of limited places available.
They all started with some degree of idealism and commitment, setting a reasonably high entry requirement which was observed most of the time.
As more and more colleges entered the field, competition became intense and many turned to quick profits at all cost. So when greed enters the door, idealism, integrity and all the noble aspirations fly out of the window. Thus, making a fast buck in the name of education became the order of the day.
What they fouled up on standards, they made up with skilful marketing strategies and the gullible public was swiftly taken in. Consequently, many SPM students viewed private tertiary education as a preferred alternative to sweating it out in the SPM and then the STPM.
In short, it killed the incentive to excel among many SPM students, particularly those whose parents could afford to pay for private tertiary education. Poor SPM results didn't matter. They could enter private colleges and party their way to a degree and, thereafter, there are ways towards even a Master's degree.
Many private colleges flagrantly compromise on standards in the intake of students and also on the employment of lecturers. The foreign universities which are linked to the local colleges do not much care about standards in the so-called Third World countries. Their mission is to raise money to sustain their institutions which, today, do not enjoy government grants and public funding does not guarantee a steady source of income.
Providing tertiary education in countries which were former colonies and other Third World countries has now become their lifeline. Why should they kill the goose that lays the golden eggs by insisting on standards? Private colleges of tertiary education have grown by leaps and bounds over the last 15 years, but alas, standards have fallen in inverse proportion. I am afraid that employers will soon become aware of the poor standards of these graduates of the 3+0 programmes even if they haven't yet. It would not come as a surprise if, in time to come, graduates of the 3+0 programmes form the bulk of the unemployed graduates.
It is time parents and guardians realised what is in store for their children and guardians in the 3+0 foreign degree programmes which are hyped up through skilful marketing ploys. It is better to encourage our children to strive for good results in the SPM and then sit the STPM and get into our public universities.
However, entry into our public universities for the courses one aspires for will continue to be difficult for a long time to come because of the problem of supply and demand. At the same time, it is pertinent to bear in mind that easy access to private colleges for tertiary education can have the negative effect of dousing the student's will to perform to his potential in the SPM and that can be tragic to the student's mental attitude in the long run.
Beware poor standard of 3+0 programmes
By J.Y.R., Kuala Lumpur
I refer to the letter "Private colleges just places for latest fashion" (NST, March 22) by Y.S.
The writer is justified in his disillusionment with the private college he is enrolled in. I was associated with private tertiary education institutions for 15 years and I have seen how these institutions are deluding the public into thinking that they are purveyors of quality tertiary education from overseas colleges of high repute and standing.
In the 1970s, private tertiary education institutions began to come on the scene to cater for those who could not get into public universities because of limited places available.
They all started with some degree of idealism and commitment, setting a reasonably high entry requirement which was observed most of the time.
As more and more colleges entered the field, competition became intense and many turned to quick profits at all cost. So when greed enters the door, idealism, integrity and all the noble aspirations fly out of the window. Thus, making a fast buck in the name of education became the order of the day.
What they fouled up on standards, they made up with skilful marketing strategies and the gullible public was swiftly taken in. Consequently, many SPM students viewed private tertiary education as a preferred alternative to sweating it out in the SPM and then the STPM.
In short, it killed the incentive to excel among many SPM students, particularly those whose parents could afford to pay for private tertiary education. Poor SPM results didn't matter. They could enter private colleges and party their way to a degree and, thereafter, there are ways towards even a Master's degree.
Many private colleges flagrantly compromise on standards in the intake of students and also on the employment of lecturers. The foreign universities which are linked to the local colleges do not much care about standards in the so-called Third World countries. Their mission is to raise money to sustain their institutions which, today, do not enjoy government grants and public funding does not guarantee a steady source of income.
Providing tertiary education in countries which were former colonies and other Third World countries has now become their lifeline. Why should they kill the goose that lays the golden eggs by insisting on standards? Private colleges of tertiary education have grown by leaps and bounds over the last 15 years, but alas, standards have fallen in inverse proportion. I am afraid that employers will soon become aware of the poor standards of these graduates of the 3+0 programmes even if they haven't yet. It would not come as a surprise if, in time to come, graduates of the 3+0 programmes form the bulk of the unemployed graduates.
It is time parents and guardians realised what is in store for their children and guardians in the 3+0 foreign degree programmes which are hyped up through skilful marketing ploys. It is better to encourage our children to strive for good results in the SPM and then sit the STPM and get into our public universities.
However, entry into our public universities for the courses one aspires for will continue to be difficult for a long time to come because of the problem of supply and demand. At the same time, it is pertinent to bear in mind that easy access to private colleges for tertiary education can have the negative effect of dousing the student's will to perform to his potential in the SPM and that can be tragic to the student's mental attitude in the long run.