The article ‘Cambridge curriculum at Mara colleges’ in the ‘In Brief’ section of the NST on Sunday spoke about the offering of the Cambridge International General Certificate of Education in 45 Mara Junior Science Colleges nationwide by 2016.
As it is one of the most recognised qualifications in the world, I, as a fellow citizen of Malaysia, am thrilled at the prospect of such world-class education, but at the same time cannot help but wonder why such syllabus cannot be offered to government schools as well, as this appears to suggest a double standard in our education syllabus.
I understand that there may be a lack of resources to implement such syllabus on a national basis, and more time may be required for such a big move, but at a time where national schools are bickering over the usage of English in the teaching of the Math and Science subjects, such a move to implement the Cambridge syllabus, which I assume will be fully in the English medium.
Why only in the 45 Mara Junior Science Colleges? It his seems to suggest that there would be inequality in the education offered in such Mara colleges and national schools. As education is a basic right for every child, be it a child in a Mara college or a child in a national school, it would only be fair if the same syllabus is applied in both Mara colleges and national schools alike, be it the Cambridge syllabus or the current syllabus.
If as suggested earlier, resources are an issue, then the implementation of such Cambridge syllabus would be best if postponed until sufficient resources has been obtained to implement the said Cambridge syllabus on a national basis as well.
Alternatively, instead of offering the Cambridge syllabus only in 45 Mara colleges, why not divide the number and implement such syllabus half in Mara colleges and half in national schools, so students both in Mara colleges and in national schools have an equal opportunity to benefit from such Cambridge syllabus.
We citizens would feel that our tax monies are being put to good use with all children having equal access to the Cambridge syllabus.
Being in the education line for 32 years, I’m not able to see why this Cambridge syllabus is only being offered in Mara colleges first.
Would appreciateit if someone could please enlighten me as to why this is so?
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