For some reason I cannot explain, the Malaysian focus has forced many potential bright minds into a cage where they are not allowed room to think for themselves, to expand their thought process. The Malaysian education system has laid a track for students, a track from which should you stray from, would cause you to fail. It is because of this system that parents and teachers are judging students based on examination grades and not their natural gift. Be it mathematics, art, sports and so on.
Why is it that teachers today do not approach students asking them, " What is your passion? Maybe it isn't in studies; maybe you are better doing something you love." Is this not what guidance is all about? A talkative student in a classroom may be a nuisance , but, as teachers and guides should you not take this attribute and turn it into a strength of the student? Advise the student to participate in a public speaking contest. Guide us, teach us, stop writing us off as failures.
People don't take a second look at a person's skills. He or she might be a talented speaker, poet or artist but the students are not given the chance to show it because individuality has been suppressed. Schools strive to inspire teamwork, but there has to be a balance of individuality as well. Allow students to express themselves, by doing this you discover new talents and potential leaders. The most unexpected person may surprise you with an uncanny skill with words thus inspiring people to follow in their lead. Do not narrow down your vision to just good students inspiring others to lead, watch the slightly naughtier ones as well. Leadership comes in many forms, formal and informal, the so called "bad influences" could be just crying out for you to notice their talent, to speak to them instead of punish, to acknowledge their creativity, even if it is to do something wrong, it is still creativity, only wrongly applied.
Thank you, and I hope I managed to change your perception of students. Be it a slight change, a change is a change.
- The Malaysian Student-
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