(Dear Bee Hoon, Kindly send me another pretty image of yours by email! Thousand apologies as I've no choice but to use this one....Made a forensic search in the Google for your latest photo or picture BUT that effort was futile as what appeared mostly "bee hoon delicacies" or other types of "mee hoon"!!) Did you write all these articles (below) that appeared in the Star Newspaper publications? Just to confirm.........There is so much down-to-earth wisdom and good thoughts written in those articles to share about!
Thursday June 23, 2011Change is needed to transform the nation
I REFER to “Trapped in the old ways” (The Star, June 15). It’s not only in Penang that this is happening. In fact, it is rampantly practised in our nation especially by us, the rakyat.
When something happens and it is none of our concern, we usually shrug our shoulders and turn away or pretend not to see.
No sane person wants to invite unnecessary trouble. As the adage says, “Never trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you”. And if you so much as lend a hand, you would be dubbed “busybody”.
Whenever I speak up, be it at meetings or among friends during a casual conversation, I am branded “bold”, “daring”, “blunt”, “typically English educated (ang mor tit)” and “bo kia si” (unafraid of death).
These are the usual comments I get from even my bosom friends.
Yes, we Malaysians, are a wary lot. We worry about a lot of things but would never be bold enough to tackle them headon. Should we come across hurdles and obstacles, we would prefer to clear them quietly or sweep them under the carpet.
We are good at grumbling and complaining but would never for the life of us speak up to be heard.
As long as we continue to be complacent and are at peace with ourselves, we would never change, much less bring about change.
Change is what we really need to transform the whole nation. Our attitudes especially need a thorough overhaul.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Monday November 8, 2010
Rural school desperately in need of funding
IT’S the time of the year againwhen parents of Year 6 pupils wait anxiously for the best performance schools and incentives awards to be dished out to school heads, teachers and schools.The Education Minister recently announced that schools with the best composite score would be given cash incentives, etc. But how many rural schools actually get to savour these treats?The strategic positioning of a school and its performance have to be vetted before such rewards are granted. A rural school which could excel at district level should be rewardedwith allocations to upgrade its premises, be it physical or infrastructure.That, I think, addresses the existing constraints, especially for mission type schools.My school, a rural school, clinched the Excellent Academic Award from the District Education Office for having the highest percentage of excellent pupils in the 2009 UPSR examination.How then can we not be given allocations which we so badly need to upgrade our school canteen and add a preschool class to the existing premises? Is it so hard to see that we are in dire straits?The State Education Director had been to our premises but no funding was forthcoming as there were insufficient allocations. I am not speaking out for myself but for the school, which is over half a century old. The old block ought to be upgraded and new rooms like a science lab, living skills room, computer lab, etc added to keep up with the times.I appeal to the authorities in charge to address our plight.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Batu Pahat.
Thursday December 23, 2010
Transfers all part of growing up
have been reading about senior teachers being transferred out of their long serving schools to schools much farther away from their comfort zones i.e. their homes.Call it a reshuffling exercise according to needs or whatever. If the teacher concerned does not apply to be relocated, I don’t see the purpose of the exercise as it would cause many problems for the new schools.Unhappy teachers wouldn’t do a good job as only happy ones would make teaching and learning for the kids fun.Nowadays, I am surprised whenever a fresh graduate and young teacher complains of the distance factor whenever they get new postings.When I started teaching in 1976 and was transferred to a school in Ulu Selangor, I didn’t even bother to complain but instantly enquired around and made arrangements for board and lodgings when I arrived to report at the new school.Not once did anyone of us complain although we were posted out of our districts and had to serve in remote places for we understood fully we had to accept whatever schools we were posted to then.We were only too happy that we had a job then as money mattered so much to us at that time.Sad to say, the scenario today is completely different.As a school head, I even had to go to the district education office to meet my new teachers, attend a briefing together with them and ferry them to the school.Strange but true as the new breed is a much protected and pampered lot.We, the senior ones, were a hardy breed those days.Nevertheless, we had no qualms and regrets whatsoever despite the brief stint in remote schools as it was at these places that we adopted and adapted survival skills.In my opinion, new teachers ought to be posted away from their homes and allowed to serve in such schools so that they learn to pick up social skills while integrating in a new environment as they need such skills to survive in this global age.If they are allowed to be near their homes and parents, they would never have a chance to learn to be independent and would not undergo change as they have never been away from their comfort zones.It’s a harsh world out there so whether they like it or not, they have to learn to survive on their own in order to garner new experiences which they would never pick up in their comfortable surroundings.In this way, they learn that the fittest survive.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Monday December 27, 2010
Health should be given higher priority than wealth
MY contemporaries tell me the text messages they get nowadays say it’s important to take care of one’s health. Without it, no matter how great you are and how high your position in life is, it’s actually meaningless. How true!Of late, I have been visiting a friend who is confined to a wheelchair due to a brain tumour operation. Prior to the surgery, she was a renowned figure in the insurance industry.Which calls to mind that money is not everything. You may have lots of it but if you don’t look after your health, then it will be detrimental. And this is perhaps the reason the health and wellness industry is thriving.As for myself, I used to be a healthy and active person although I have never been engaged in sports.I take great pains to watch my diet, never taking more than two main meals a day, although I do love an occasional snack. The keyword is “self-discipline” and I live by this rule.Despite this, I encountered asthma attacks when I reached the mid-40s. Only then did I realise that I was allergic to dust, pollen and any slight climate change.I couldn’t accept it initially but frequent bouts of asthma has reduced me to a breathless and panting state beyond my control.I carry an inhaler with me all the time, without it could be fatal.At different stages in life, we face health problems. With constant monitoring through annual health and medical check-ups only can we be assured of continuous wellness.Life can only be great if we take care of our health.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Tuesday December 21, 2010
Nothing wrong with a little retail therapy
WHENEVER I am down and out,I hit the mall, buy something and feel very much better after that.It may be a new blouse, a pair of shoes, a scarf, a handbag or a pair of earrings; anything that takes away my blues and lifts my spirit momentarily.You may think I am an escapist, but I am content that at least this spontaneous indulgence of mine cheers me up immediately.By indulging myself through impulsive splurging, I’ve learnt to overcome such negativity and also prohibit myself to be consumed by feelings of hurt, contempt, disgust, anger, disappointment or disillusionment.Nevertheless, I find that it is a costly affair but not entirely fruitless as it is self-satisfying.I’d laugh over my extravagance when the bills come later in the month.Life is too short to dwell on such trivialities.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Sunday December 12, 2010
Self-sacrifice goes a long way to maintain marriage
WHEN a woman marries her man, don’t expect him to change. In fact, the woman is the one who has to change, to adapt to his idiosyncrasies. Why do I say this?Speaking from my experience of having survived 30 years of marriage, making changes to accommodate your life partner can do much to save a relationship.Naturally, you would think it’s foolish of me to have to kow-tow to keep a marriage going, but it comes, fortunately, with a reward.My other half is ever so willing to do anything for me for changing for him. So that makes us even, right?Marriage is not a bed of roses nor is it made in heaven. Two persons living under one roof isn’t an easy task, what more if you have your in-laws sharing the same abode.A word of advice I would like to share with those who are getting married: have your own house, better still buy one under your name so that you can have the last say. This is for the sake of security in case things turn sour later.In life, nothing is predictable. Be prepared for anything that can crop up in later stages as a marriage has its ups and downs.The minute a child comes into the picture, you will see for yourself the commitment each one has. I believe both need to work to keep a marriage going.I don’t believe in divorce as the affected ones are the children, so offspring compel a marriage to succeed. I am a one-man woman as I believe, being a wife and mother, it’s my duty to do my best to keep my marriage intact.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Batu Pahat.
Friday December 3, 2010
Rope in retired teachers to improve English
ENGLISH teachers, especially those retired, ought to be roped in to help in the implementation of Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) come 2011. As it is, the young English teachers and existing ones in the system still lack the expertise and experience. Why do I say so?Most of the English language teachers that we have now are still not really English proficient. Some of them mark the UPSR English papers, no doubt, but cannot carry on a simple English conversation and if they did, grammatical errors are so rampant that it is simply shocking.From my 35 years of experience in teaching, teachers do not really like it if you point out their mistakes unless you are their immediate boss.Unless you are the head of a unit would you enforce the compulsory teaching in English during an English language lesson as it is normal and usual for the English language teacher to use translation?I use English at meetings, assemblies and wherever possible so that pupils will learn to understand and teachers will eventually condition themselves.Of late, a new clerk at my school even had the audacity to ask if the pupils actually understand what I am trying to say.He underestimated the pupils and my staff as I personally believe that they have made tremendous progress with my usage of the English language.Last year, I went on a benchmarking trip to Kelantan with the officers from the State English Department and other English teachers from Johor and was not at all surprised when the principal of a secondary school told us she used English for communication with her staff and students and that had made the school improve by leaps and bounds.English still reigns all this while so like it or not, we need to master it to progress.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
Tuesday May 3, 2011
Parents play important part in student disciplineSTUDENTS nowadays are a real headache. They love to litter. After an assembly, empty mineral water bottles, used tissue paper and whatever you can think of are left where they have gathered.
This isn’t the end of it, for every class that you enter after another teacher has left, you would find rubbish on their seats and desks.
And the most irritating part is that the students don’t seem to notice and the educator has to point out to them before any attempt is made on their part to pick up the rubbish and throw it into the waste paper basket.
It isn’t that teachers don’t instill in them a sense of cleanliness. Teachers have been doing it so often that sometimes I wonder what has gone wrong with education nowadays.
When we were students then, we did what was required of us at school without much fanfare, and we abided by most rules and regulations.
Why are students today so disrespectful and defiant? Is it because of lack of parental guidance? Could the parents be so busy that they don’t bother to discipline and teach their offspring basic manners and ethics?
All these have to start at home, with the teachers inculcating the right attitude at schools. If it’s only practised at school with no reinforcement at home, it can’t be of much help. We have to understand that these children spend only one-third of their time at school for a week and the rest is up to the parents to see through.
I implore parents to pay attention to their charges at home before pointing fingers at the teachers at school for their kids’ misdeeds as very little help can be rendered if there is hardly any support from the parents, who are the main backbone of their children’s character building and behaviour.
Remember, the kids can only be brought under control, moulded and disciplined when they are young, and parents play the most pivotal role in transforming them. Teachers only complement that role at school.
This then is the win-win situation. Please bear in mind the educators at school have multiple tasks to attend to other than teach. And, for that matter, they are educators, not nannies or babysitters.
It is the parents’ duty to see to their kids’ needs, to follow up on their work at school and be there for them at all times besides taking care of their meals, etc.
If parents play their roles well, teachers would have no problem imparting education and knowledge to them as they would be in a ready and prepared state at all times, eager to receive whatever is dished out for their own good.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Tuesday April 19, 2011
Parents have to be there for their childrenWE read regularly of irresponsible parents not taking care of their children, and I’m appalled they have the audacity to say they don’t have time for their kids as they are too busy trying to make ends meet.
It’s incredible to think these parents can even utter such a reason when something happens to their child at home, school or outside of school.
Kids nowadays are exposed to all kinds of temptations at home through the media, and from their peers in school and elsewhere.
No matter how busy you are as parents, it is your duty to see to your children’s welfare, studies, needs and wants, both emotional and psychological.
As parents, we need to play our role as adviser, mentor, nanny, educator and counsellor to our kids the minute we bring them into this world.
If a child is not showered with enough guidance and love from young, he or she would grow up seeking it in other ways.
Peer pressure is how they tend to fall prey to their immediate friends at school or outside of it when there is no one at home to turn to for attention and advice.
Children are most vulnerable at the early stages of development as they emulate what they see, innocent of what’s right and wrong.
It’s difficult to fault them later when they put into practise what they had witnessed.
In short, we have to be there for our children if we want to see them survive and thrive in life. Unless we are capable of raising them and instilling in them good habits and traits from young, do refrain from having kids.
Plan well before tying the knot. Once the children come into the picture, you would need to make sacrifices to bring them up to face this harsh world.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Friday April 22, 2011
Good to be remembered, respected and thankedI MET an official at the district education office yesterday while handing in documents from my school and he asked if I had taught in the secondary school he attended years ago.
And when I said I did, he asked whether I could recognise him as I taught him English back in the 80s.
I couldn’t remember but he recollected that I was well-known as the fierce English teacher and he actually commended me for making him what he is today.
I was an English teacher in the secondary school for more than 21 years, from 1977 to 1998. I was touched by his acknowledgement.
Throughout my 36 years plus as an educator, I have met doctors, engineers, businessmen and teachers who were once my pupils and who have no qualms about acknowledging me.
Yes, the financial reward of being an educator are nothing to shout about, but the recognition given to you and the simple words like, “Oh! You were so fierce, we were scared of you but you made us what we are today” are enough to make my day!
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Tuesday April 12, 2011
Nation confidently waits for PPSMI againEDUCATION is big business. Whether the economy is doing well or not, no one would be so insane as to abandon it, hence the demand for tuition outside the classroom.
In our country we have vernacular schools where Chinese parents enrol their children for SJKC schools, the Indians for SJKT and the Malays for SK (national) schools.
Ever since the teaching of Maths and Science was carried out in 2002 in English, there was an increasing number of pupils who opted for national (SK) schools, as parents who believed in the importance of English for the future of their offspring made a U-turn and placed their young ones in such schools.
This was in the hope that they would have the best of both worlds, learn in Bahasa Malaysia, master English and having Mandarin classes so that they don’t miss learning their mother tongue.
However, with the language of instruction for the teaching and learning of Maths and Science reverting to BM at the beginning of this year, the trend has reversed, with many parents opting for the SJKC and SJKT again.
And as a result of the chain reaction, tuition centres and private schools are mushrooming in urban areas since the rakyat see the need to master English for the survival of their kids, lest they face difficulties in securing a job in the near future.
All hope is not lost yet as the Prime Minister has decided to listen and consider.
Recently, the PM announced that he would consider using dual languages for the two subjects, much to the delight of the English proponents who applauded his good judgement and priority in listening to the appeals made online and through the media.
So, to all those who felt that nothing could be done since the decision had been made as of last year, we definitely had a big surprise when we received the good news.
All appeals made by PAGE, students, parents and every rakyat through the mainstream media had their dreams realised, at least for the time being. There is light now at the end of the tunnel.
If we believe in ourselves and want to see things work out for the betterment of the future generation, we must make sure we join hands and write to appeal.
Never say die, as we are now waiting with bated breath the announcement to be made regarding the change to be in place, despite being told that it would take some time.
Well, we have already waited for that long and waiting a bit longer wouldn’t make any difference, would it?
The nation waits, confident of their trust in the government of the day, for the change much needed as “English works”, the headline in The Star recently.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Thursday April 7, 2011
Over the moon on reading PPSMI may returnI WAS over the moon to read “PPSMI may return” (The Star, April 5), that our Education Minister is studying the possibility of using two mediums of instruction for the teaching and learning of Science and Maths.
The Government clearly is taking heed of the rakyat’s feedback in the newspapers. Even though the people know that it’s near impossible to revert the soft landing as announced by the DPM earlier, I am glad that at least he’s giving the issue due consideration.
I’m sure PAGE’s (Parent Action Group for Education) numerous appeals via the mainstream media have not been in vain. Unity is strength.
As long as we believe in pressing for change, change for the betterment of the next generation, the Government will finally take stock of the situation.
It clearly proves that we need to speak up for the authorities concerned to realise how serious we are about transformation.
A big hand to our Prime Minister in anticipation of the good news ahead. So the motto advocated by our Prime Minister “People First, Performance Now” is obviously true as reflected by his consideration of the outstanding matter.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Wednesday April 13, 2011
English is easier on the tongueWho says it is illogical to think that we can improve our English by using English for Maths and Science? I beg to differ as an educator.
In schools, especially national schools, all subjects are taught in Bahasa Malaysia except English during English lessons.
With the implementation of English in Maths and Science in 2002, teachers were trained to teach the two subjects in English under PPSMI, the acronym for the teaching of the two subjects in English.
I was one of the trainers roped in at district and state level for the training sessions, and to me it was a beautiful and meaningful time walking down memory lane as what I learnt in primary school in the good old days suddenly became crystal clear.
And it was indeed refreshing to see the teachers, old and young, mingling together, reliving the moment, the older ones recalling the good old days and the younger ones learning things from scratch as their grammar was way too bad.
Every single sentence had to be restrung to make sense, and grammar was taught from scratch as the younger lot didn’t have much exposure to the kind of learning we went through in the 60s.
How we laughed and enjoyed the immersion courses we had with them although it was taxing and difficult at times. Nevertheless, there was some form of improvement, even if some choose to deny it.
Yes, it was tiring, difficult but worth the effort for it did make a difference in the six years it was implemented in schools nationwide, although some wet blankets refuse to admit it.
Yes, it was so easy and apt. English is not too long-winded as the language is straight to the point, especially with regard to Maths.
Imagine having to say a mouthful “nine times nine eighty-one” in BM – “sembilan kali sembilan lapan puluh satu”. Just count the number of syllables in BM.
It was indeed refreshing to rejuvenate and revitalise daily conversations in English as the language has been stifled for too long and made a mockery of by people who know its very importance yet twist and turn when politics unfold in our country.
No one in the right frame of mind would stop at learning the language and making sure their next of kin go for extra classes after school to master it. Tuition centres wouldn’t have mushroomed and flourished if parents had not known of its indispensability in today’s borderless world.
I always advise my friends to buy the newspapers for their children to read from young because by conditioning them to love reading from young, the kids would learn to love reading and crave for more reading materials in future.
Many of those who heeded my advice have thanked me whenever we met and even updated me on their offspring’s latest academic development and potential.
Yes, just buy them the papers daily and they would be asking for it unconditionally one day. No amount of tuition can make up for self-determination once the habit is inculcated from young, not forgetting that teachers at school play a very important role during lessons to make practice a daily exercise and usage among peers and staff a delight eventually.
I certainly laud the many appeals written to bring back English for Maths and Science.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
© 1995-2012 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)
Monday January 10, 2011
‘People First, Performance Now’ motto alive in Wee
I READ about the Prime Minister telling his ministers to go to the ground to meet the people and see to their needs and problems. This is what he means when he advocates “People First, Performance Now”.
I noticed that it is much practised by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who had beem to every of my school’s PTA meetings since 2004, and had always extended financial assistance to us, a mission school constantly in need of funds.
He played an important role in helping us secure Stimulus Package Funds in 2009 for upgrading the infrastructure of the school and its premises.
He also ensured that the funds were managed by the School Board of Directors to their optimum usage. Prior to this, all funds were managed by district education officials.
With the PM’s call for 1Malaysia and greater transparency in government projects, we look forward to better days ahead as we have been assured full utility payment for mission schools beginning this year.
A big round of applause to Wee.
LIM BEE HOON,
Batu Pahat.
by Lim Bee Hoon of Batu Pahat
Byline: Husna Kassim
I REFER to the letter "He risked his life for others" by Lim Bee Hoon of Batu Pahat, Johor (NST, April 22).
She referred to 52-year-old Ong Kim Koon, who stopped to help a couple involved in a road accident near Tesco hypermarket on the Middle Ring Road 2, but got hit by another car. Ong died on April 22, 11 days after the crash.
I wish to extend my condolences to his family and urge all generous-hearted Malaysians who feel compassion for this beautiful soul to start a donation drive for his family. I would gladly be the first to contribute.
I also wish to draw all Malay-sians to the danger of stereotyping people.
A …
Hello Lim Bee Hoon,
ReplyDeleteGoodnes, you have quite a column there. Ho Eu Len and Teo Guat Hong just contacted me and I have given them this blog.
So keep on posting yeah.
I have been silent for a while as I have been outstation and the workload at the office is chaotic. Now, students are coming back and lectures commencing. Good to hear from you.
Can you spread the news around for a get together in Batu pahant, Tasik U or Y. I havent been in BP for centuries ( exaggeration there! ha..ha..) since my late parents retired and moved to Muar in the late 80's.