Daily Lessons from Life 25 October 2014 - Stress the need to build skills, educators urged

MH370 Updates! - MH370 in southern Indian Ocean: Search centre The Star/Asia News Network  Oct 25, 2014! This is good news though hopefully not any empty or false leads! May the search eventually yield some concrete result to help the families of those lost close this tragedy properly!

"Stress the need to build skills, educators urged - The Straits Times Oct 25, 2014

TEACHERS and principals play a crucial role in helping Singaporeans look beyond academic qualifications and build skills, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat.

To do this, educators need to place a stronger emphasis on skills and applied learning in schools, demonstrate a desire for lifelong learning, and help students understand the value of all types of jobs, he said yesterday.

Over the next five years, teachers will have more opportunities for subject specialisation, network with those teaching the same subjects, and receive more mentoring support, said Mr Heng at a graduation dinner at The Regent Singapore Hotel.

He called on the soon-to-be principals to encourage professional development among teachers. "I urge you to lead well in this respect, building a culture of teachers growing teachers in your school, where each person takes ownership of his or her own learning," he said.

He also urged the educators to reflect on the educational and career guidance given to students. "In society today, there, unfortunately, exists an unhealthy lack of regard for certain jobs," he said. "But... teachers should help students discover the path best suited for them. "We should work towards encouraging them to pursue their interests, regardless of their qualifications, and help them to turn their passion into their careers."

He said shifting the mindsets of parents, students, and fellow educators was a work in progress. The efforts would help build a system which supports the recommendations of the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (ASPIRE) report to enhance applied education in the polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education and move away from an overemphasis on a university degree."

Well, at least he acknowledged the 'shifting of the mindset of parents, students, and fellow educators' was a work-in-progress!

Lessons for me are:

1. definitely the educators will have a VERY BIG impact on and influence over the students as they were look-up to, whether they are worthy or not! So, anything that the educators do, the kids will emulate and mimics. Literally it is like: 'monkey see monkey do'! A big responsibility EVERY teacher MUST bear in mind and be ready to gracefully accept this WHOLE-HEARTEDLY;

2. despite the point raised in item 1 above, it is undeniable that the first 'class room' in a student's experience IS the HOME. Home education becomes central and fundamental to shaping the behaviours of the kids! When the parents are exhibiting good role model behaviours, the kids will naturally pick up the 'right things to do' from the parents! A lot of parents today DON'T seemed to know about this or that they simply abdicated this part of 'education' all to the teachers and educators!!

While we all acknowledged that the mindset of the parents are still stuck in the 'grading and competition' mode, the recognition that THIS FIXED MINDSET must be change is equally apparent, and urgent!;

3. will the kids come on board this concept? It all depends on how the educators, the parents and the affected children changed and communicate with each other!

IF the educators and parents embraced this concept, it is much easier to influence the kids. IF the educators are and the parents are NOT embracing this concept, the kids will be very confused and ultimately will follow the parents as they are closer to the kids and the 'punishment' for defying the parents at home can be unbearable!

If everything comes together perfectly. All the stars are finely aligned, then the kids will be able to focus on learning to learn and be independent thinking and great problems solvers!

There is a Chinese saying: 'Respect your job and love your job'. Also, 'perseverance will see success eventually'.

May Minister Heng's wishes come through. For the sake of a stronger and healthier Singapore!