Is the education system in your country adequate?

I can't tell from your picture where you are from. I find that here in China that is definitely true. I would be interested to see what suggestions you might make as far as how you might change things. I know you suggested programs that would help, but HOW would you make it happen? Thanks for the response.

I'm from Malaysia. I can't really say for sure what programs to implement. I think the biggest problem here is that teachers are underpaid. Although they are government servants, they are paid well below other government servants. Example, in the news here today, they were talking about teachers who teach Form 6 (About A Level standard) are in the G56 to G42 level(G56 is the lower pay grade and G42 is the higher pay grade). We're talking about senior teachers here, those with over 15 years of experience. But If I was a fresh graduate and applying fro a job in the civil service, I'd be applying for at least a G44 pay grade. Teachers used to have a lot of allowances and fringe benefits and also more tax exemption, but most of that is gone now.

Wow, that is bad!!! I am experiencing similar problems with my current job, at least in my opinion. It seems like a lot of Asian countries are exam oriented and that is sad. It doesn't really get you ready for the job world. As far as how the government pays their teachers, that is what I am doing my term paper for my organizational behavior class on. I would love to compare notes on how teachers (both foreign and domestic) are paid in different countries so that I can prepare a good paper. Hopefully, we can make governments see that they will never have a strong educational system if the teachers are not well rewarded!!!

I have seen students not have a life at all because of the tests. One student I had been working with had to go to classes on Saturday and sometimes Sunday to take tests. I don't see how it was helping at all since most university graduates don't have any practical experience. I think the schools need to put more practical skills into use and spend a little less time on tests. Nothing wrong with seeing if anything was learned, but there should be more practice. Sometimes, playing a game will help loosen things up so kids are more receptive.

First I will comment on you topic. I find it interesting that many teachers are leaving for better jobs. I think that the school system needs to seriously look into what is going on there. When it is impossible to keep good people, they have to look into ways of handling that (that's my HR side talking). I like your attitude when you talk about using what you have to get ahead.


As far as areas needing work:
you talk about educators being focused on earning a leaving do you mean a living?

I think you meant to say Education is essential...educational is an adjective and you need a noun.

I think you would need either give or provide, but not both.

you say putting my foot forward to gaining...it should be to gain.

This is great!!! I hope that you are able to succeed in all that you try!!!

Wow! Thank you for showing me and correcting my mistakes.

That's admirable Debbie. Thanks again.

Hope to see you posting more and sharing your skills.

Wow! Thank you for that BR choice. I am pleased.

I find it interesting that the universities are free. I would be hesitant to go only because I am spending someone else's money and that wouldn't be fair for the taxpayers if you don't do well. (I am guessing that is how they pay for your education). I know it would be very competitive because everyone will want it. Are the schools overcrowded or are a lot of people rejected?

I agree with you on needed to learn more conversation and less grammar. You make a great point about not being able to understand another person if you know the grammar. I learned some Chinese and although the grammar made sense, it didn't help me be able to talk to the people around me.

Memorization doesn't really help you to learn anything. It will help you to pass the test and nothing more. It would be better to have practical tests where you show what you know!!! I read an article recently about how foreign employers in China have trouble finding qualified candidates from China even though their universities graduate over 6 million students. Most of them don't have practical knowledge according to the article (if you want to read it let me know and I will find the link) I don't say that to insult the Chinese students but to make a point. It is better to be able to do a skill than to pass a written test about the skill. There is a difference!!!

Your writing is very good as well. Keep up the good work!!!

Thank you, I just had problem with that memorization word, I am glad you used it and show me how to spell it. Yes, the universities are paid from other people taxes, but on the other site each of us has a oportunity to go to the university, so I don't think I will feel guily, if I am not doing good. I would not say the universities are overcrowded, because there are pretty hard test to pass, if you want to apply for univeristy. But of course some of them take you with any exams beofre and then they will eliminate students from one level to another. So you have to be really smart to finish it or study a lot. Thank you for great discussion.

It is good to know there are good education systems in the world. It is good that students are expected to be serious from the beginning. I remember when I was in school, many kids would fall behind and many would be bored because it was geared toward the middle level of students. There was hardly any homework in the beginning and when I got into high school, it was hard to get used to. I always did better with practical skills that straight theory.

This looks really good. Your English writing skills seem to be covered well in your country. Do you find that to be the case or am I missing something? Keep up the good work!!!

Yes. The English writing skills are well covered in our country. Most of the schools here teach in English medium i.e. English is the primary level of education. The Second Language is Hindi or depending on the state where you are in it will be the language of that state. As a third language students can take up either German or French or the language of the state in which they are residing.

So how many languages do you speak? Are they all fluent? I know a little Spanish and a little French and even less Chinese. I have tried to learn many languages because "you never know when you will need to know" how to communicate with someone. I figured that out when I was doing a sign language class while also doing an EMT (emergency medical technician for those who don't know that acronym) class.

I speak English and Hindi fluently. Besides that I have knowledge of the languages Marathi, Gujarati and German.

Hi RangaF,
It sounds like you have a fairly good system. How does the government pay for the education? I agree that primary and secondary schools should be paid for by the government (they are in America in most cases--at least at public schools), but I'm not so sure about universities. I know a lot of people wouldn't be able to attend if they had to pay, but do they succeed? Is there a cost to the student if they drop out? Do you think there should be? How old are students when they start school? I know in America, you graduate from high school by 18 and if you start university right away, you can be out by 22. Well done on graduating!!!

Your writing is very good. Is English a major language in your area?

Thanks for the comment.....

We start school at the age of 5 and do University entrance exam we called it Advanced level exam at age of 18-19.

Probalbly we are entering at 20yrs of age due to slow administrative process in govt and pass out in 24 for 4 year degree or 23yds for 3year degree.... But this will be extend if universities delay their inteke due to intenal issues.....

Up to advanced level we study in our own language and now govt has started primary to advanced level in English medium but only people in urban developed areas are doing as they can get extra help from private tution.

But in universities all medicine, engineering and management are english medium and law accountancy and other areas can be studied in either local language or english.....

Since the best people are selected from the advanced level exam its unlikly to have people drop the course in the middle ........

For all medical graduate govt provide job at govt hospitals and both my sisters are now in the final year of the med university....