Help underperforming students!

Our Education Ministry has identified a total of 402 schools nationwide as hotspots for disciplinary and drugs problems. We wonder after the identification and classification, what are the follow-up actions to be taken by the authorities to help improving or delisting these schools? Are there any ready measures and guidelines for the schools to be followed in order to be removed their names from the list ?

It may sound illogical and unreasonable for the schools to be enlisted or red flagged but no guidelines or measures for the grieved schools to adhere for improvement.

The root-causes of the disciplinary and drugs problems among the students must be identified and rectified within the shortest possible time to enhance the public confidence and perception on these schools. It appears ironical and unfair to the schools on the list if there are no remedial solutions and counter measures by the Education Minster to render necessary assistance tackling the disciplinary and drugs problems. Without any clear directions, the enlisted schools will find it difficult to be delisted.

Why are students lackadaisical in their studies? Why are they not disciplined and drug-addicted?

Education is said to be free and fair to all but what we have seen today the process of educating and transmitting knowledge is not fairly practised especially onto those students who are slow-learners and incompetent. The present scenario is discrimination through classification based on examination results. The students are being judged and categorized through their examination results. Students with excellent results are classed in Category A and those students with poor performance are being seated discriminatingly in the lower rank of the classes. This act of classification undoubtedly and directly creates misconception and stress on these poor students whose self-pride are hurt.

Placement of students accordingly to their performances is good if there are plans to assist improving those needy. These students with poor academic results really need motivation and inspiration. Are there any constructive and rhythmical plans for these students. Contradictorily, knowing them exam phobia, they are again given the same test papers as those students categorized A. They are again graded in overall results of the same form of the students. What do we expect their results will be? It appears that they are repeatedly beaten and placed lowly in the examination throughout their school lives. Continual failure and poor performance in the examination not only erode the confidence but also help to develop disciplinary problems among the students.

Proactive measures should be embarked to help those underperforming students. Motivational and inspirational talks should be conducted often. Self-pride and confidence of these students should not be eroded for the creation of disciplinary problems which will become the social liabilities with high cost to tackle.