Creating a better education system

US President Barack Obama recently proposed for longer school days and shorter summer vacation to bring the USA up to par. He reasoned that American kids spend too little time in school, and this puts them at a disadvantage with other students around the globe. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/27/obama-proposes-longer-school-day-shorter-summer-vacation/?test=latestnews

Is this something we can learn from? Does that mean Malaysia is ahead of the curve? Here are my thoughts:

I was trained to teach in the United States. I have taught in the U.S., Japan and Malaysia. I have seen systems like Japan and Malaysia with longer school years and days. Honestly, this approach is not the answer. While these students may score high in standardized tests, they still can't think critically or creatively. Essentially, they have learned to memorize things, and they don't really understand what they have learned. Don't be fooled by their high test scores. This is not quality education.

They spend most of their time mugging for these exams and very little time exploring their world. I don't see children playing, doing sports, volunteering, interacting with each other, etc. after school because they are all inside doing piles of homework and mugging for the next exam. The schools are so narrowly focused on the exam content that needs to be covered that these children have no time to learn anything outside that narrow band of knowledge. They are totally deficient of the soft skills and general knowledge needed to be successful and to make this world a better place. They have no joy of learning as it has been effectively killed by a joyless system that narrowly focuses only the results and totally ignores the process of education.

Having seen several school systems around the world, I still feel what America has is still very, very good. It is a little frayed around the edges and needs some tuning up, but in no way should the USA imitate what Asian countries are doing in terms of exams, longer school years or longer school days. It's a complex problem that needs many solutions.

In fact, there are inherent benefits to the American summer vacation. First, it allows for many different learning opportunities, which cannot be learnt in school. I know of kids who open the proverbial lemonade stands, walking people's dogs, washing people's cars, baby sitting, selling cookies and cakes, etc. These are all entrepreneurial activities that teach young people a variety of skills in the areas of finance, business, customer satisfaction, cause and effect, negotiation. The best part of it is these endeavors are ideas that come from themselves.

Another benefit is discovery through play. There's much that can be learnt by climbing trees, looking for fossils, seeing what's under the big rock, building a fort, collecting seashells, paddling a canoe, fishing, etc.

A third benefit is travel. With extended holidays, there is the opportunity to explore new locations. There is a Malay saying: Jauh perjalanan, luas permandangan which means the more you travel, the wider your perceptions and horizons. In travel, it is possible to explore new cultures, visit historical locations and speak to the local folks. This firsthand experience leaves deep impressions in the lives of children and shapes their worldview.

Of course, there are those who choose to completely waste away their holidays by sitting in front of the TV or playing computer games. This is where the role of the parent/caretaker comes in. Limit the time spent on TV and computer games and ensure they are out encountering people and engaging life. Who knows? As they deal with leadership issues, problems, setbacks, hurt feelings, they might actually learn something from the school of hard knocks.

So I'd advocate a balanced and holistic approach to education. Malaysia has much to learn from the US education system in my opinion.