Attitude, etiquette, and education

For my 2nd assignment for Philosophy of Science, I've made some research about the current education system in Malaysia and to try to find out if it is in anyway related to any metaphysical elements, or aligned along with National Education Philosophy [Falsafah Pendidikan Negara], and thus the spark of the idea to create this post.

Based on my findings, education system, as most has observed, is highly inclined towards intellectual shaping, and thus the term 'exam-oriented' education. According to FPN, there are 4 golden rules to be applied in education, which is Intellect, Emotion, Spiritual and Physical. Ask yourself, during the years of formal education you had in the school, including pre-school, primary, secondary and even tertiary education, is all 4 aspects being concentrated equally?

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The concept being shown in FPN itself is actually a complete set of rules, if obeyed strictly, could be used to develop a balance individual in that 4 aspects. Unfortunately, it plays a minor role in implementing it in real life education. With my own experience, I can say that Intellect is, well, highly emphasized, Spiritual and Emotion is rather optional and subjective as it is not focused in curricular syllabus. Physical wise, when it is nearing major exams [UPSR PMR SPM etc], other secondary subjects regarded as useless[as it is not included in exams] will be exempted and being replaced by core subjects that will appear in exams. For Muslims, however, they have their Pendidikan Islam class, which, for me I think its good to let them know more about their own religion, while in schools where Christian is prevalent, Bible Studies or subjects as such are introduced. I think its relatively important to let every students to get exposed to different religion, and to study about the core value of that religion, because of the countless religion that exists in the world, the values are commonly the same, its just that the world-view, and epistemology of a religion highly differs between each other. Interfaith dialogues and teachings should be widely propagated and discussed with high sensitivity but zero prejudice! We should try to understand and respect one's religion view although it might be clashing with ours. Though religious subjects are being taught in schools, but it is merely a 'read and score' subject, the appreciation for it has long been gone. For me, to believe in the existence of metaphysics[The God] is really important, after all, 'Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan' is the 1st line in our Rukun Negara, right?

The mentality of the students, particularly in Malaysia, for education is that, 'We study to score, we study for exams!' How often could you see a student studying for the sake of increasing his knowledge and to satisfy his thirst of intellectual needs? And the common misconception and the general answer when being asked 'why we are supposed to study?' is : *Clears throat* 'To study is to get good results, enter good school, get a good degree that secures you a good job and ultimately a happy life.' Is that really the case?

So to simplify it, education = good money = pleasure = good life. Yes?

This is a thing that all of us should deeply ponder upon, good life is the goal of one's life, but is it in monetary terms? Or should it be in value creating terms? If we equate Pleasure as Happiness, and Happiness = Good life, then I'm pretty worried that our thinking has been intoxicated by the Hedonistic ideology..

IF we are to pursue pleasure in our life [Satisfy one's need to survive, commonly physical matters, sex, hunger desires etc], why don't we stab 2 electrode in our excitation brain centre that activates hormone that causes exhilaration? Now that would save us from a lot of problem right? haha.

Saying a lot from this post but I have not touch the main topic yet, sorry for my digress. haha, anyway, attitude, etiquette and education. Hmm.. do you agree that education is the core factor that causes the multitude of social problems in our societies nowadays?  With the argument that each and every of us received at least 6 years of formal education [in exception of a few that is in extreme poverty and has been neglected by government], and those who committed crime comes from those who received education before.

In my opinion, the most important things to do to curb crimes, is through education, not through enforcement. The principal of life, and the correct thought of why we should study should be instilled in early education! If we say, we study for the sake of a better future, in monetary terms. Yes I would not deny that, but that should not be the ultimate goal for education, don't you think so? If money is the final goal of life, why don't we rob, cheat and steal, neglecting rules and etiquette since that's what education is all about, to make money.

We study for the sake of increasing our knowledge, why? So that we can think wisely, and to help others while creating positive values, knowledge is power, that I can't agree more~ Social problems that includes harassing, gangsterism, bribery and so on, in my opinion is caused by education system, further driven by social culture/tendency.
A very simple analogy over here :
A cop stopped you and decided to fine you for overspeeding. You are in the dilemma whether to give bribery, or not, you decided to not as it is illegal, and morally unacceptable. You told your friend, expecting some positive feedback from them, and what you got is that he/she will post-mortem that matter, saying that IF we are to commit bribery, we save the hassle to go to police station, giving out Rm50 saving Rm250 instead and doing the police some good by giving him an extra Rm50 revenue for his low monthly salary! Sounds legit? And the next time you are being stopped, you won't hesitate to bribe them anymore, yes?

 

There are still a lot of issues and thoughts to come and I hope that you guys can think about it and do leave me some comments, thanks!

[Anyway, this is all my humble opinion, I do not mean to offend anyone or to act pro or whatsoever here. lol, Don't wanna sound too old lehh hahaha]