Rehabilitation For Whom?
By Farish A. Noor
He’s trying to make me go to rehab;
I said no, no, no.
I ain’t got the time
And if my daddy thinks I’m fine…
He’s trying to make me go to rehab;
I said no, no,no.
- Amy Winehouse, ‘Rehab’ (2007)
So now its ‘political rehabilitation’, is it? As a corrective measure for kids who go to demonstrations and who have been ‘bad’ in the eyes of the government? That Malaysia’s leaders can even suggest such a thing speaks volumes about the extent to which the space of alienation between the state and the nation has grown over the years, and points to the lack of contact, communication and understanding between the powers-that-be and the real Malaysian nation made up of the rest of us.(1)
But are we surprised? After all this is the same country whose geography is now cluttered with a smattering of ‘faith rehabilitation centers’ that have been set up under the auspices of an Islamist project said to promote some skewered vision of a modern, pluralist, democratic Islam that is benevolent and accommodative: So accommodative in fact that it can accommodate dozens, if not hundreds, of Malaysian citizens deemed ‘immoral’, ‘deviant’, ‘apostate’ and out of the ordinary according to the norms set by an invisible and unaccountable cabal of Islamic experts in the pay of the state. We already have rehabilitation centers whose job it is to ‘turn over’ these alleged deviants and misfits and force them to conform to the normative praxis of Islam that is deemed correct by the state, so should we be surprised if the leaders of UMNO and the government can go one step further and call for the rehabilitation of children as well?
From the viewpoint of an academic who studies the development of modern postcolonial states, Malaysia seems to be a textbook example of postcolonial development turned awry. What began as a country with so much promise – its plural racial and ethnic composition, blessed with plentiful resources that was also strategically located at the cross-roads between East and West – has been squandered for the sake of one ruling party that seems to cater primarily to the needs and demands of one specific ethnic-religious constituency.
That Malaysia’s leaders still cannot understand and appreciate the extent of dissatisfaction, frustration and cynicism among the Malaysian public points to a state that has concentrated all power – including educational and mediatic – in the hands of an alienated ruling elite. Since the 1980s practically every institution of the state has undergone a serious compromise thanks to the dominance of the Executive at the expense of all other arms of the state apparatus: The emasculation of the judiciary, the tighter and tighter controls on the press, the depoliticization of the universities (and the educational system in general), the promotion of a sectarian divisive politics based on race and religious communitarianism, the politicization of institutions like the police, etc. have all created an increasingly small and narrow political arena that has come to be dominated by a small clique of power-hungry politicians and ruling families.
Worst still is the fact that the ruling elite of the country – made up as it is by a handful of key families of the UMNO fraternity – has come to believe its own rhetoric and the story they have spun for themselves: that they are the protectors of the Malay community and identity, that they and they alone are responsible for the fate and future of the Malaysian nation. Their continued reliance on the state-controlled media to disseminate this inbred propaganda they have invented for themselves fails to note the fact that the very same Malay community they purport to represent is now fragmented, hybrid and plural, and that the younger generation of Malay youth, like their other Malaysian counterparts, no longer buy the stale and insipid narrative of a cohesive united nation led by a handful of Malay ruling families.
Dismissive accounts of demonstrations as being ‘un-Malay’ and ‘un-Malaysian’ have clearly fallen on deaf ears, as the younger generation of Malaysians could not care less about courtly protocol, the symbolism of UMNO and its nationalist rhetoric, the appeals to racial superiority and unity, etc. Despite the now tiresome brandishing of the keris and frothy speeches about Malay unity at the recent UMNO assembly, many of the thousands of demonstrators who took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur last weekend happened to be Malay: the very same community that is no longer beholden to UMNO and immune to its fanciful appeals to racial cohesion and unity.
So what does the future hold for Malaysian society and where will the events of 10th November lead us? It is clear that the Bersih demonstration had managed to do the one thing that the leaders of the Barisan Nasional dread above all: to bring together Malaysians from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds on one neutral issue that unites rather than divides their interests. The fact that the Islamists of PAS and the secular leftists of DAP could come together along with the activists of PKR and the NGOs suggests that the civic spirit of Malaysians is not quite dead, despite all attempts to squash any attempt at multi-racial and cross-communal political activism in the country.
Unable and unwilling to accept the new realities on the ground the political elite of Malaysia has resorted to the same worn out clichés and the call to rehabilitate the younger Malaysians who were present at the demonstration reveals the extent to which this ruling elite is so thoroughly bankrupt of ideas. No, it is not the younger Malaysians who are in need of rehabilitation. In fact the activist in me would say that activism and civic responsibility should begin from our school days and that every young citizen should be made aware of her and his rights and responsibilities as early as possible, as a rite of civic membership.
If anyone is in need of rehabilitation, it is the politicians and ruling elite of Malaysia themselves, who should learn that this diverse and plural society of ours happens to be a complex nation undergoing a slow democratic transformation and that the future of Malaysian politics should reflect this multicultural diversity. So I strongly suggest that the right-wing communitarian leaders of Malaysia sign up for their own rehab courses as soon as possible, for their and our own good, and learn the following:
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- That Malaysian citizenship, and not race or religious identity, should serve as the basis of political participation and political rights;
- That the language of racial superiority and racial exclusivism is not only morally repugnant, racist and dangerous but outdated and has no resonance with the Malaysian public today;
- That the fundamental duty of all citizens is to demand that the state serves the interests of the nation as a whole and not just a coterie of landed elites living in their comfortable and alienated paradise of select privileges and luxury;
- And that the right to speak one’s mind and to demand that the state carries out its fundamental democratic functions are among the basic rights of all citizens, and not some outrageous demand by anarchists, mobsters and unruly nihilists.
And while taking these basic lessons in democracy, do leave the kids alone. At least they don’t go on the stage brandishing weapons and screeching about racial superiority… They are too matured to do such stupid things!
End.
Note: (1): ‘Detained Children to be ‘Rehabilitated’- NST, 14 Nov 2007.
Dr. Farish A. Noor is a Malaysian political scientist and historian based at the Zentrum Moderner Orient, Berlin; and one of the founders of the www.othermalaysia.org research site.
November 18th, 2007 at 12:21 am
Farish and Bakri,
I was listening to my good friend, Yahaya Ismail, who is Badawi’s classmate at Methodist Boys School, Penang at a gathering of poets and cendiakawan2 Melayu hosted by former UMNO Youth Exco member and blogger, Dato Kamal Amir last night (November 17) in his Taman Tun Dr. Ismail home. Raja Petra was there as well. So was Ezam Noor.
As you know, Pak Ya is a political commentator and writer. He said there is now an UMNO gridlock on itself through a system of rules and procedures which are preventing the party leadership change. That system is based on money and patronage. So no matter what Badawi does, he cannot be removed or challenged.
Tun Dr. Mahathir did have time to dismantle the arrangements which he and his colleagues designed after 1987 crisis. That is a tragedy. He said he was still perplexed as to why Tun Dr. Mahathir left the UMNO Presidency in a hurry and why he chose Badawi.
The gridlock gets tighter as years go by. Apparently, according to PaK Ya, this is a system which both Lenin and Mao adopted to stay in power and perpetuate their rule. It is this system that is also being applied to manage the country.
At this point in time, there is no one in UMNO willing to take on the task of proposing change in the rules and procedures for electing senior officials into the UMNO Majlis Tertinggi. Najib is too controversial given rumours about his money schemes and involvement with Altanuya.
If we accept the Pak Ya thesis, then we can say that UMNO will have to implode (Bakri’s view) or explode (Din Merican) and for that to happen there must be another serious crisis within the party. Who will initiate it was the question he left for us to speculate.
Blogger and ahli sajak Sang Kelambai said that we the Malays are good at blaming others whenever we fail. The Chinese in particular are convenient scapegoats. He feels that this is Malay Dilemma No 3, second being Badawi himself. He is not optimistic that change will happen in the immediate and reminds us to expect more pain in the short term.
As for Malay D-N3, we need to completely revamp our entire education system to produce Malays who are able to read and think critically and who have the capacity and will to compete. We have to stop the blame game, he reminded us.
Thanks.
November 18th, 2007 at 3:18 am
I thought Tun Dr Mahathir took his time to leave the Presidency of UMNO. He had to battle one thing or another. He served the Country and party for a good part of his life. Is it a fair asessment to say he was one of the longest serving leader in the world ? He left office in his 60s. I am in my 30s and I can’t wait to retire and find a nice beach house and watch the sunrise.
How many times have we heard comments about Tun Dr Mahathir never wanting to relinquish power and would die in office.
It is a bit unfair to lump Tun Mahathir, Lenin and Mao in the same breath. I do not have a clue, which book on marxism Pak Ya read to come to a conclusion that Mahathir employed the same system as that of Lenin and Mao to perpetuate his rule.
Unless there are gulags, the use of secret police with violent methods employed by Cheka/NKVD, the use of psychiatric hospitals to detain dissidents, extra judicial punishment, torture and to top it all off genocide that reached 7 figures, then lumping together Mahathir with Lenin and to conclude that it was done to perpetuate his rule would be justified.
In any event, in Lenin’s time at least, the system entailed members of the Central Committee electing members to the Politburo. I could see the resemblance between Politburo and Majlis Tertinggi. But the hierarchical nature in the days of Lenin wasn;t designed to ensure longevity of the Premier of Soviet Union. Which was why Stalin turned the process upside down and decided to unilaterally determine the composition of the Central Committee and the Politburo. And that my dear friend, by being the General Secretary, Stalin ensured longevity in office.
By the way, Stalin in becoming General Secretary effectively became the de facto ruler of Soviet Union. That reminds me of a political party in Malaysia where the de facto politician appointed none other than his wife into office. Perhaps that is a secret to ensure longevity and a stranglehold on power.
Call me a Mahathir lover or a Mahathir apologist, I am not a least bit embarassed. He has his faults that I have to admit, but try putting yourself in his position and ask yourself would you have left a better legacy ?
A famous US scientist, Carl Sagan, used to say, extraordinary claim require extra ordinary evidence. Honestly, pray do tell. What evidence is there linking Najib to Altantuya ? Trying to find a pattern and connect invisible/imaginary dots linking Najib with Altantuya’s death is a sheer waste of energy. It should be left to “majalah picisan” like Mastika.
The Malays have never conveniently used Chinese as scapegoats. That is a bit unfair on me and other Malays.
The Malays and the Chinese and the Indians have worked together in a system that is unfair. Interestingly and happily, in the process we (malays, indians and the chinese) all have made our money, some more than the rest. We have accomodated, adjusted and found a way that serve everyone’s interest.
50 years of Independence, dubbed Tiger of Asia in the roaring 90s’, impressive economic growth in Tun’s time, a very high profile in Middle East that saw several Malaysian companies bag awards running to hundreds of millions, chairs in international organisation, that surely must mean we have done TOGETHER something right in the process.
Politicians will spend countless hours talking rhetorics, business people adjust, accomodate and quitely stayed away from the rhetorics and do what they do best, make money.
Although at times, one could sense that the racial sentiment in Malaysia is like a rumbling volcano but thank God, no overflow of emotions ever did take place that resulted in violence seen in the Maluku Islands, Fiji, East Timor etc.
November 18th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Lekiu,
I am surprised to read from your commentary that race relations in our country are fine, although you said in caveat “…at times, one could sense that the racial sentiment in Malaysia is like a rumbling volcano but thank God, no overflow of emotions ever did take place that resulted in violence seen in the Maluku Islands, Fiji, East Timor etc.” We cannot thank AlMighty God all the time and say how lucky that we are not like Zimbabwe or the Congo, or Timor Leste.
Money is not everything. What is the use of few having lots of money while the middle class is being squeezed and the poor are increasingly marginalized with little chance of any upward mobility. There is a place for distributive justice, but we must have an expanded economic cake. Otherwise, we will taking from Mutu and Chong to pay Ahmad.
Even in the Malay community the gap between those who are part of the UMNO system and those who are ordinary UMNO members and other Malays is widening. May I suggest you look at the facts and hopefully you will come to the same conclusion as I that the distribution of the economic cake (now contracting because of slow growth) is inequitable.
If you have the time– and stomach for it–just visit the village behind the Ampang Muslim cemetery and get a dose of reality.Why spend rm300 million annually on the Monsoon Cup, when that same amount of money can be put to better use in social and healthcare programmes for all Malaysians? Michelle Yeoh and Jackie Chan cannot solve our problems. In fact, we have to pay them to come and spend a few days with the Prime Minister and his wife and their entourage.
I too am an admirer of Tun Dr. Mahathir. Good or bad, he has served our country with distinction and honour. It is time we move on and focus on the challenges ahead. We need change, not of its own sake but for a better Malaysia.
Thanks.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Brother Din,
The widening gap between the have and the have nots is not exclusively a Malaysian problem. Sometime in the middle of this year BBC reported that income polarity in UK is at its biggest since WW2. I also read somewhere that less than 5% of adults control more than half of the world’s household wealth.
I am not an expert in economic affairs and I do not pretend to be one. I cannot explain reasons behind such divergence and why much wealth is concentrated in a few.
Whenever I travel to Alor Setar for work, I would fly back to KL via Langkawi due to the higher frequency of fights. I would take a ferry ride from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi. I can see the abject poverty of the fishermen at Kuala Kedah. The same problem also can be seen in the East Coast. I could never understand how such problem could occur in Malaysia. With farmers organisations aplenty, a bank dedicated to support agriculture (fisheries as well ?), programmes, subsidies….yet the poor at Kuala Kedah seem to be left to mend on their own. Maybe your partner in arms, Mat Sabu could enlighten you as to the predicament of his constituent.
In some countries abroad, one method of reducing the disparity is increasing taxes. Malaysia has lowered taxes, although comparatively to HK and Singapore, we’re still high. Is it 2-5% higher ?
Do you plan to propose reversing the trend of lowering taxes and begin raising taxes to the level of that in Scandinavian countries and then set up a welfare state to cushion the income disparity ?
I don;t plan to defend the Monsoon Cup. I haven’t a clue as to the Monsoon Cup.
The Government budgeted yearly for social and healthcare programmes. I am not sure whether the budgeted amount relative to our neighbours is high or low, maybe someone can assist in clarifying the issue.
I would agree Monsoon Cup to be cancelled if it causes financial burden on the State/Federal Government, but correct me if I am wrong, but surely the amount budgeted for the Monsoon Cup doesn;t come from allocated resources for healthcare and social programmes. If the money is being tapped from say, tourism budget, what could be so wrong about that ? Unless of course data shows that the race has negligible impact in terms of publicity abroad.
Something we learn from Tun, spending is a necessity. My boss subscribe to the notion that one has to spend to make money, with due respect to my boss, his maverick style in running business does scare me a little at times.
If you speak of wastage, how many times have we heard criticism about wastage in promoting F1 only later to read LKY’s regret in not grabbing the right to hold it much earlier.
I am not equating the commercial success of F1 with sailing, all I am saying is, if you need to criticise the hosting of Monsoon Cup it has to be on the basis that such commercial endavour is useless, doesn;t bring much benefit to the country in terms of exposure abroad etc not that the money could be used for social and healthcare programmes. Knowing very well that such programmes are budgeted yearly.
Race relation in this country may not reach utopian heights. But so far we have done well in managing race relation. My friends (who are non-malays) and I get along fine, we laugh with each other instead of at one another. We look for things that bind us together. We go on holidays together. Of course, much like elsewhere in the world, there are bigots.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Brother Din,
A bit of an after thought, the Justice Party in Turkey, HAMAS in Palestine won the election, not through rhetorics, they were voted into power despite heavy odds of election rigging and money politics.
The people refuse to be bribed and voted the Justice Party and HAMAS due to the overwhelming social works they did to help the public.
Since you are a programme coordinator in Keadilan, you should consider setting up soup kitchen for the disenfranchised, people like drug addicts, prostitutes, homeless etc. Free medical check up and basic medical service, counseling for troubled youths etc.
If you feel that the Government/Barisan is insensitive to the needs of the disenfranchised in society, you should consider doing something about it. HAMAS and the Justice Party was so successful that, no amount of bribing and rigging could halt their march into power.
From Kuala Kedah to the city you find people left behind, in as much as they need to know we emphatise with them, their dignity would be better served if one could formulate programmes to assist.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:51 am
Giving people food and all the welfare stuff is not the answer, my friend Lekiu. We have to empower them through education and lifelong skills training. This means crafting policies and strategies for growth. Growth means opportunities.
We need to develop the character of people, not with nanny state policies which have so far bred state dependency and incompetence. Don’t worry about the HAMAS and the Turks. Worry about our country.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Bro Din
The BN government have been providing Malaysians with education and lifelong skills training. The education budget has always been the largest. Yet we see people unemployed and hungry and drifting more towards social despair. Malaysia has become a country for people with money. If you have money you can get the best of everything. But for the majority they still have to “kais pagi makan pagi, kais petang makan petang”
While the BN government have been pouring money into granduer projects including the Monsoon Cup, there are many Malaysians lacking the basic necessity of running water and electricity. Social ills have not been properly addressed. Look at Chow kit area and under the bridge across the Ampang river in front of AIA. Mind you these are areas in the Capital city.
Lekiu was right that people should not be hungry when going to bed. Children must have good nourishing breakfast before going to school. Citizens need to feel safe not only in their homes but also on the streets. Maslow heirarchy of needs is real and works.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Shrek,
You summed up it beautifully :-
“…people should not be hungry when going to bed. Children must have good nourishing breakfast before going to school. Citizens need to feel safe not only in their homes but also on the streets. Maslow heirarchy of needs is real and works”.
Thank you.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I meant to say…you summed it up.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Lekiu and Shrek,
Money spent on education have not produced the desired results. Look at our schools and universities. We are producing what industry does not need. We have breakdown in law and order and so on, but most of you want to stick with the status quo. Good luck.
November 21st, 2007 at 6:10 am
Bro Din
If money spent on education has not produced the desired results what are PKR’s plans to empower the people? You mentioned education and lifelong skills training. Lekiu and I mentions social services and a better quality of life not status quo. Most advanced nations believe in better quality of life for its citizens but not amounting to a welfare state.
November 25th, 2007 at 4:40 am
In is intresting there are many lekiu’s in this country - some are called Achong and mutu and other indegous names…nevertheless in Dear Lekiu’s take a look - it is not for nothing Bersih and Hindraf rally have taken to the streets - if people were alllowed to vote according to concious the corrupt BN goverment would be out - seriously - they have no qualms - take even way about a year ago when floods hit JB badly , they had a though time distributing food and monies to flood victims but had no issues and no logistics challenges in carrying out RM 1 million dollar a week floral festivals in Putra Jaya or the ferris wheel project in titiwangsa - in the order of priority for any thinking and feeling goverment would be welfare of poor , suffering and next followed by expansion of educated , properly skilled young and so on forth. If we had a lot of money by dint of good fortune it should be invested in proper research that yeilds benefit - not chest thumping escapes of Angkaswan programs - and antartica etc - these are feats for individuals - not the goverment of the day to continue us in fools paradise - but dont worry keep this up - soon you would have revolution in the hands - many many changes unfortunely have come only after spilling much blood and losing many a good man - fool ’s paradise ventures of BN goverments is actually helping things get there
For the opposition unless there is clear manifesto that touches all different classes in the country - it will be though for you guys - what you have is people like me who like to have people who challenge the goverment and keep it honest - so u need a manifesto and a plan of action fast- u also need to be seen to getting on kerja amal and successfully publishing your KPI or acheivements - just think a few years ago how did a group like Al Makmunah or something like ( a so called deviant muslim group) manage to garner and ammes wealth and support - their business model for trading stores to cater for the community was pretty good and Goverment slapped them with deviant practise under the muslim governing laws and went after - but this was after they realised how threathing these guys had become - you need to see how cult acheive things (not become a cult) - ie understand the fundementals of how it is seen to be catering towards its needs - maybe it could simple tuition centers that provide supplementary education for the badly thought Public schools kids , or trade schools or even establish a PKR-PAS -DAP brigade of version of rescue - so you are there in a flood area or fire , calamties before the fumbling goverment could even get there - certainly these guys cannot get there and are not necessarily sincere in delivering results - look at them - they could not even get the tsunami housing right ( we had only 200 victims or some small number ) - there is enough good courses - Anwar needs to be out there doing and achieveing things bersih type rallies are only one side of the work - you need local “economies - that enlist new recruits” - you need to belivers who see delivering today already before they vote you in . and if PKR - PAS - DAP cannot put aside and work togather - and be seen to be as such - how will people put their trust - you just need one wide spread action which cuts like a knife
it is pointless arguing with Lekiu’s and others who are connected to the BN goverment and want to continue earning - they just only think of themselves - and tell people to carry on with cancer in facets
but seriously Din - without a clear defined action - and bearing results you would not muster the support you need
next time you hold the rally it should be every capital and 100,000 per capital - demanding the goverment quit - to get that number you should have already delivered something to common folk - then they would take to street - think hard - it could something simple like the salt march or dandi march that Gandhi did - he broke a simple law - gave the people in India at the time a means of getting by making their own cheaply and establish communes in villages doing - Read the Dandhi March (48 hours to midnight is a good book), martin luther king biography or even the original for both Gandhi and Martin Luther was actually the Thesis called Civil Disobediance - by Henry David Thoreau - Do just start doing something good which is wide spread - out current insecure goverment would BAN you guys - then continue doing it - saying - Wah this is a good thing - but the govt is against it - forsaking them is only way - then just watch what happens…then game begins , these rallies need some serious spark -Maybe a PKR technical college -
November 25th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Or get everybody to pay less 10 % from estimated taxes - as goverment is doing 90% less than it should so we should atleast cut back 10% openly
- i just recalled the many books i read on Gandhi and Martin Luther king and just turned to Wikepedia on Thoreau - Civil Disobediance - something simple and radical - stupfies these guys that feed on power and institutionalised corruption - mostly these powerful type never had proper fitting response (which is them leaving public office handing over to capable and sincere individuals)
November 25th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Narayan,
You said “it is pointless arguing with Lekiu’s and others who are connected to the BN goverment and want to continue earning - they just only think of themselves - and tell people to carry on with cancer in facets”
That is a bit unfair isn’t it ? Unless of course you have some evidence that I have profited from BN.
Where criticism is due, I have never shied away from criticising AAB or Khir Toyo or Zainuddin Mydin. I have also criticised Opposition leaders.
I am not into partisan politics. My concern is always Malaysia.
The Opposition is asking for our precious votes, and much like any voters in the country, we need to know what plans have they to run the country. I don;t believe that the Opposition should be spared scrutiny. The point is, if they want to run the country, they need to disclose, they need to convince me and others of their plans. Criticism shoulod be looked at as something constructive. We are not suppose to suppress any opinion here. I thought that is the whole point of discussion.
We are made to believe that Keadilan wants justice. But it was reported in the foreign news media yesterday that Anwar Ibrahim was quoted as saying that HINDRAF supporters should not make issue with Article 153 of the Federal Constitution but should take their issue with the corrupt government.
Now, that doesn;t sound right.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
“Are students well prepared for future challenges? Can they analyse, reason and communicate effectively? Do they have the capacity to continue learning throughout life? The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) answers these questions and more, through its surveys of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialised countries. Every three years, it assesses how far students near the end of compulsory education have acquired some of the knowledge and skills essential for full participation in society”.
Above were caption taken from OECD PISA - studies of over 400,000 global schoolchildren since 2000, 2003, 2006 until 2015. Only God knows, why Malaysia after spent over £3Billion into UK Education not included in the 60 nations studies? Implicit in my article/brochure below, I am nurturing future Nobel Peace Prize or indeed Model of West Scholar instead consumerist professionals. To others, you saw as Advisory for 10% of UK Schools & Universities for Employment. The website is the the OECD that would led you to many publications on the future of the Education System. God Willing, I shall write many articles including The Decadence of Malaysian Education System conceived over decades. A humble one-man show in the UK ie not ‘those academics profession’ nor paid, I am diverting my trillion brain cells into creating website and starting a small venture here.
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The Decadence of the Education System
A decade ago, I was the School Governor and trusted the government, teachers and the independent schools. Irreparable damages, my son ill equipped for Oxford and almost quit Imperial College for inadequacy in Higher and Further Maths at GCSE and A Level. He Resit whole 2nd Year for failed a subject? My endeavour for his siblings into grammar and Westminster School led to further investigation - correlations between the bonafide very top schools, universities and the employment rates!
Today, I am grief-stricken with different standard set by Ofsted at 5A*/C for the GCSE whilst the independent sector were 5A*/A? Would you content with Level 4 for Key Stage 2 and Level 5 for the Key Stage 3 or Level 5 and 6-7 respectively? Children at the Prep School were head start than majority at the state schools and imminent success at university to career! Why only 95,000 from the 265,000 that graduated in 2007 secure professional employment? Turning back the clock, I would start at the toddler stage. I would create industrious environment for the children, early for university and graduating with 2-3 related degrees to secure the best career!
Head start the youngest for Oxbridge, he is studying the International Baccalaureate; six broad A Level – Biology, Chemistry, Maths, English, Economics and Italian to 4,000 words of essay, theory of knowledge and extracurricular activities. NB. Teachers and schools would not be accountable for later failures at university, nor universities for students drop-out, nor employers for our children incompetence’s! Whom do you go to find the best advice for your children’s education?
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Referring to the postmortem of children premonition, this is a fulltime responsibility monitoring your children progress at all the Stages. I was an ignorant overseas student in 1982 but many conquests today! I am now afflicted of those patronising Progress Reports and 5-10 minutes of Parents Evening? I saw the contrasting standards between comprehensive, grammar and independent schools! I now trust the top 10% of the League Table and core subjects taught! The Year 9 Entrance Test for the Westminster School in 2003 was indeed the AS Level! The top 100 elite schools secure 31% of the Oxbridge 6,600 places leaving 3,600 schools competing for the remaining? Why many top state students with 4-5 As failed into Oxbridge?
There are 120 Universities ranked from premier league, first, second, third and the fourth division! Would I be happy if my son had chosen the dubiously similar MEng ISE at UMIST and graduated with First Class Honours in 2006? There are over 5,000 IT related courses and 500 Electronics related courses to any say the least! I also analyses the 600,000 GCSE Result and the 300,000 into the A Level & GNVQ. Almost a quarter scored 3As and another 200,000 with A/B/Cs! Where would your future be when 170,000 into non-graduates employment in 2007? Why many later changed career after decades in unsatisfactory jobs? A lifetime opportunity; success diminishes for those not fully equip and relying on the teachers, schools, medias and the government – all different agendas and goals!!
2. Who are your competitors and what are their charges?
There were about a dozen of free advisory in the internet either by charities or the government agencies and education consultants. The free advisories were explaining the procedures to apply, exclusion and appeal etc. The minimum charge by Gabbitas is £195 per hour! The best Return-On-Investment, my fees is £100 per hour for one or few students excluding travel expenses. Altruism, we make SWOT studies of your children and propose short, medium and long term goals!
3. Can you give some examples of your Advisory and the
breakdown of costs involves?
Pre-School/Reception/Key Stage 1; identify child strength and weaknesses and Plan of Action for about 1 – 2 hours and subsequent Report & Studies Recommendation. Plan for state or independent schools at primary or later at the secondary level?
Prior to or after Key Stage 2; about 1 - 2 hours or more to analyse School Report and Studies Recommendation. NB. The gold standard is not Level 4 - 5 but 6, 7 and 8 or EP for English, Science and Maths respectively! Extra Tuition for KS 2 and equip for Grammar Schools’ Entrance Tests.
Prior to or after Key Stage 3; about 1- 2 hours or more to analyse School Report and Studies Recommendation. Miracle possible for late starters! Equip for Independent Bursary Tests?
Prior to or after GCSE; 2 – 4 hours to analyse School Report and Studies Recommendation. Ray of hope to achieve A* - C for the GCSE and meticulous Plan of Action.
Prior or during the A Level & UCAS Application; 2 - 4 hours or later at AS Level for another 2 - 4 hours to analyse students strength and weaknesses. Recommending ‘fit for purpose’ A Level subjects to career options, personal statement and accurate UCAS Options. Or Resit the GCSE/A Level? What books have you read to equip for Oxbridge Application?
I would nurture your child for the 10 - 20% of the top bracket for employable skills instead of Clearing and future debts of £30K! The Pareto Principle is 80/20 – only 20% of our children would determine the future! Success is imminent if we plan ahead and conviction of parents and children. The government social agenda is to increase 50% of the population into Universities! Hence, the target for A* - C is a bed of roses but our strategies for 3 – 6 As, UCAS Application and Interviews! Learned, I would nurture potential children and input able students with reading to develop their acumen prior Oxbridge!
A postmortem, the comprehensive school and Sixth Form College put vested interests above my son’s future whilst the Labour government manifesto was Education Education, Education? He was early for the GCSE in 2000 but ill-equipped at Oxford Interview and Resit MEng at Imperial College. He almost quit because he managed 55% for the only failed subject but the pass mark was 70% and the IC Regulation was to repeat the full 2nd Year? Detrimental, I trusted the school’s Head of Maths and vividly remembered; “your son is not capable to study Higher Maths!” Today, I realised that his motive was less responsibilities instead of nurturing capable students! Anguished, I applied his siblings into the grammar and independent schools but only secured a place for the middle son. The Westminster School was Imperialist Ignoramus! We then returned abroad, eldest spent a year with specialist tutors and the youngest skipped a year there after wasted in the UK. They benefitted the high academic standard and back into the UK with the industrious environment. Wiser, I applied again into the Top 500 Schools in 2006 but widened to the whole of England. Today, I realised the “soft” subjects taught at these top schools, another lower in the league table but included extra “core” subjects, and why the London school with gates and security! Mission accomplished, the eldest son just graduated and the youngest completed the GCSE within a year with flying colours – 7A*/As for the Core Sciences, Maths and Statistics to Electronics and ICT! Head start the youngest for Oxbridge, he is studying the IB i.e. 6 broad A Level.
Today, I saw the correlations between the very top schools and universities to the employment rates! Only 10 % of the UK Schools to Universities meet the gold standard! Many disparities; the top 100 elite schools secure 31% of the 6,600 Oxbridge places whilst the remaining 3,600 schools compete for the rest! Westminster School has many advantages and nurturing the brightest, producing nearly 50 % yearly for Oxbridge! Is this our path to World Class Education and future Noble Peace Prize?
Commonsense, I would start at the toddler stage and formulate able children starting university at younger age and study for two degrees. Would this not ensure them very competitive and successful career in the shrinking marketplace? Hence, start the Prep School at home, an average child would head start and passes the GCSE to A Level with flying colours as how the Eton to Harrow Colleges produced many artificial Results! Putting your children lower than the top 10% at Key Stage 1-4 and A Level to Universities would lead them into temping and non graduate jobs! I would fit your children abilities to the appropriate schools. I would divulge the chances on the Appeal System as I already experienced with different Panels. I almost convinced Colchester Royal Grammar to overturn their decision! Do all your homework and success is imminent! Would you secure the scholarship advertised every autumn by the top independent schools whilst those from the Prep Schools were very equip?
For a decade, I monitored those Educational references available in the Guardian, Times, Sunday Times, Financial Times, Telegraph and Independent. How do you extrapolate all these Ranking Tables and subsequent variables? I saw many errors and over sighted in those Top Schools Surveys! I conceived a dozen variables instead of relying on what produced by these newspapers! I scrutinises all the data like an incomplete jigsaw puzzle! It had taken me a decade and 3 children in the education system to realise their discrepancies! The medias highlighted only on one side of the coin! I recalled Laura Spence in 2000 with all the A* for the GCSE and failed into Oxford for Medicine and studied Biochemistry at Harvard! Magdalen College turned her down because “she might not fit in because she lacked confidence, as with other comprehensive school pupils” noted the Admission Tutor! She is now in the final year Medicine at Cambridge University? My son had similar experienced for Medicine and myself plain sailing for the PPE!
The Decadence of the Education System is exacerbates by antiquated Educationists! The recent was the inaccurate advice column in The Sunday Times by the former Chief of Ofsted on September 23, 2007. “My daughter has done well in her GCSE (five A*s, five As and one B). She is interested in studying biochemistry at Oxford. She dropped to an A grade for her Biology. Will this and the fact that she is not doing Maths at AS Level prejudice her chances? – Rosemary Hittinger.” I was very disappointed with his reply and could not imagine if she heeded the advise and fails into Oxford next year? Suffice to mention that thousands of qualified candidates with 4-6 As at the A Level had failed to secure Medicine and offered Biochemistry! Many scored As in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and probably Further Maths and/or General Studies! Their GCSE would easily be A*/A Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Statistics, English Language and English Literature – focus on Core Subjects instead of A*/A in ICT, Medias Studies to Drama etc! Another newspaper highlighted about a student failed into Medicine though achieved 5As! I found that her fifth A Level was Psychology – not a Core Subject. I wish the father who is a Medical Consultant realised this fact! Would she be offered a place after her Gap Year? My advisory is based on my son’s experienced for Medicine in 2002 at Oxford University after scored 4As, offered Biomedicine by UCL and Chemistry by Manchester University? A paradox, I had a successful PPE Interview because my answers were based on reading the FT Supplement in the 80s.
Much Science, Much Sorrow! I was triggered me into Thinker since the primary school over 4 decades ago. Why the education system not enlightened the relevant of Additional Maths to Chemistry to the real world until today? My conquest for knowledge in 1982 pioneered CAD, print technology and current affairs to Wapping! I returned abroad and inhibited newspaper publishing - new draconian law and UK again for postgraduate whilst nurtured children. Mission accomplish, I am churning many articles about the Education System! I also foresee opportunity to start boarding house and Oxbridge School. An associate in Malaysia is offering his weekend resort for free into Gap Year activities! Shelved for decades, I now seek inquisitive minds for many activities. Unlike BBC, I also formulate Benchmark - insights of impartial international current affairs through my semi-professional digital Video Camera and integrate with the web publishing technology. Let’s turn many dreams into reality!