I, together with a few other homeschoolers, attended a townhall round table meeting at the Ministry of Education in Putrajaya today. This was the letter of invitation that got us there:

YBrs. Dr./Tuan/Puan,

Dengan segala hormatnya saya merujuk perkara di atas.

Sukacitanya dimaklumkan bahawa Jawatankuasa Kajian Dasar Pendidikan Negara (JKDPN) ditubuhkan berdasarkan keputusan Mesyuarat Jemaah Menteri pada 6 Jun 2018. Jawatankuasa ini diwujudkan untuk mengkaji semula dasar pendidikan negara dari peringkat prasekolah sehingga universiti. Untuk makluman tuan/puan, anggota JKDPN sedang mendapatkan maklumat dan mengadakan sindikasi dengan pemegang taruh berkaitan cadangan dan perakuan pelaksanaan kajian dasar pendidikan negara………………………..

First of all, the last time I heard the term “townhall meeting” was decades ago. Since then the word seemed to have vanished from our vocabulary! So to see it being used again is quite nostalgic for me.

Secondly, this is the first time stakeholders are being invited to give their input on our education policies. As Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid (whom we have deep respect for) had declared in his opening address, that together we are creating history for Malaysia’s education system, for a future that will reflect unity in diversity, to build a nation with civic consciousness based on universal values of love and respect for one another. Can Malaysians realise this dream?

We certainly can! This is a golden opportunity for any concerned citizen, parent or childcare provider, to give your input on what might be the key factors that can impact and transform our education system.

Our prime minister Tun Mahathir, has given instruction to our education minister to do one thing – to revamp the entire education system! And so, the education minister went to work immediately, by setting up the JKDPN (Jawatankuasa Kajian Dasar Pendidikan Negara) with 3 things as their mission:

1. To bring back joy in learning

2. To be good in English

3. To instil good values in students

On homeschooling, this was what Prof Bajunid said:

“We know homeschoolers had not been treated well in the past. We want to change all that by welcoming homeschoolers onboard. We want to hear from you what your challenges are and how we can help make things better.”

Wow. We could hardly believe our ears. But believe we do in the team’s sincerity and earnestness in making this gargantuan task a reality. And it can only succeed with everyone’s contribution in ideas and respective expertise.

What we have proposed to them:

– that homeschooling be accurately defined so that there will be no confusion between learning centres that act like schools, and homeschooling, which means home-based, parents-led learning.

– that homeschooling parents be able to register with the MOE as legitimate homeschoolers instead of having to apply for permission to homeschool.

– that homeschooling be recognised and accepted by the MOE.

– that school facilities and sporting activities and competitions be open to homeschoolers.

– that students special needs, including mild learning conditions and gifted children, be given the option and assistance to homeschool.

– that homeschoolers enjoy equal rights as school-going children.

We have no reasons to doubt the sincerity and genuine intentions of the MOE because the task force comprises very knowledgeable and capable individuals with their hearts in the right place. The time is ripe for every one of us to contribute directly to the transformation of our education system. If you had missed their first town hall meeting, fret not, as we are told that there will be more to come soon! So do email them to request for the letter of invitation. Or give your input via their form via email.

Details below:

“Bersama-sama ini juga dikemukakan surat daripada pengerusi JKDPN dan Borang Maklum Balas Daripada Pemegang Taruh Dan Pihak Awam Berkaitan Dasar-dasar Pendidikan. Pihak JKDPN amat berbesar hati sekiranya YBrs. Dr/Tuan/Puan dapat mengisi borang tersebut dalam membantu pihak JKDPN menambahbaik dan membawa perubahan kepada sistem pendidikan negara. Adalah dimohon kerjasama YBrs. Dr/Tuan/Puan untuk mengemukakan semula borang maklum balas berkenaan melalui e-mel  jkkdpn@gmail.com sebelum atau pada 15 Februari 2019.

Jika terdapat sebarang pertanyaan berkenaan perkara di atas, pihak YBrs. Dr./tuan/puan boleh menghubungi sekretariat siding meja bulat ini iaitu Puan Noraini Binti Ab. Rashid di talian 019-6166090 atau Puan Siti Nadya binti Zynuddin di talian 03-88726574. Kehadiran YBrs. Dr/tuan/puan adalah dihargai dan didahului dengan ucapan terima kasih.

Sekian.

 

Sekretarian Jawatankuasa Kajian Dasar Pendidikan Negara

 

“BERKHIDMAT UNTUK NEGARA”

 

Saya yang menjalankan amanah,

 

Noraini

Noraini Binti Ab. Rashid

Penolong Pengarah

Unit Isu dan Analisis Dasar

Sektor Dasar

Bahagian Perancangan dan Penyelidikan Dasar Pendidikan

Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia

Tel: 03-8872 1497 I Faks: 03-88846142