fbpx
Connect with us

News

Harvard Prof Says Malaysian Undergrads Are Similar To Danish High School Dropouts

Published

Harvard Prof Equates Malaysians Undergrads With Danish High School Dropouts - World Of Buzz 3

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.

While some ministers claimed that Malaysia has world-class educational system, a Harvard professor today claimed otherwise.

A professor from Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Lant Pritchett pointed out that instead of understanding the study materials, Malaysian students focused all their attention on memorizing them when exam is around the corner, FMT reported.

Harvard Prof Equates Malaysians Undergrads With Danish High School Dropouts - World Of Buzz

 “Most students leave primary and secondary school without mastering the subjects. By the time they reach the tertiary level, they are left far behind. There is no deep understanding of the materials. Instead, it is rote memorisation, applying theory and regurgitating it during exams,” said the professor. 

“Research was done on graduates in Indonesia on literacy, creative thinking and on other aspects and the results were the same as junior high school dropouts in Denmark. The same features appear in Malaysia,” he added. 

He also said that education should be measured based on the subject mastery with practical applications, and not just how well can a student memorize the notes.

Another Harvard University professor, Michael Woolcock said that Malaysia’s education system should be suitable to every Malaysian students.

Due to the gap between the rich and poor, the current education system only works well for people of middle and upper class. The lower class Malaysians were having a hard time playing catch up.

“The needs of the rich, middle (class) and the poor in Malaysia are wide (ranging). The different layers and gaps need to be enriched to close the gap,” said Woolcock. 

He also revealed that 51% of the lower class Malaysians who work in factories are facing difficulties in reading manual.

“They are unable to apply theory or understand English. It is not a geography issue. In Malaysia, it is a class issue. The education system works fine for the top half but the big challenge is to make it work for everybody, including rural villagers and isolated communities,” he said. 

Harvard Prof Equates Malaysians Undergrads With Danish High School Dropouts - World Of Buzz 1

Source: business insider

Woolcock also said that English is a big barrier for Malaysian students.

In Iceland, the people are fluent in both Icelandic and English.

“Everyone (there) speaks Icelandic and English. They learn English to do deals with the Italians, Spaniards and others.”

However, in Malaysia, only the upper and middle class people speak English and they are the ones who attract foreign investors into Malaysia.

He praised Malaysia for spending huge amount of money on education and equipment like blackboards and smart boards. But when it comes to execution, Malaysia is poor at it. In other words, Malaysia sembang kencang. 

“All the raw materials and money are there but the implementation is not there,” said Woolcock.

I think Malaysians who went through college and university life can vouch for what he said. It may sound harsh but that’s the bitter truth.

Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories and updates daily.



Just In

Collage 89 Collage 89
News5 hours ago

Johor Government May Implement a 4.5-Day Workweek in the Near Future

A 4-day workweek sounds ideal, but a 4-and-a-half day workweek doesn’t sound bad either. Johoreans may be in luck next...

My Post 1 2024 11 21T160023.537 My Post 1 2024 11 21T160023.537
News6 hours ago

“UPSR get D, SPM can get A” – PMX Responds to BERSIH Giving Him a Grade D in ‘Report Card’

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has opened up about BERSIH’s ‘report card‘ on his administration’s performance in conjunction with...

My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1 My Post 1 2024 11 21T114442.032 1
News11 hours ago

PDRM is Offering 60% Off Selected Traffic Summons at Govt’s 2nd Anniversary Event This Weekend!

In conjunction with the MADANI government’s 2nd anniversary on 24 November (Sunday), the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia (KDN)...

Collage 17 1 Collage 17 1
News1 day ago

MCPF Calls for Vape Ban, Warns Addiction to Substances Can Lead to Unhealthy Behaviours Like Theft

The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) is urging for the sale of e-cigarettes or vape devices to be banned or...

Feat Image Lesen Feat Image Lesen
News1 day ago

Anthony Loke: Road Users in M’sia May Have to Pay for Physical Driving License Cards Starting Next Year

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today iterated that the Government will continue with the implementation of digital driving licenses...

Collage 15 2 Collage 15 2
News1 day ago

Filipino Couple Caught Living & Working Illegally in Malaysia Using Fake MyKads That Cost RM250 Each

A Filipino husband and wife were arrested during a raid on November 19 at a house in Pandan Indah yesterday...

Feat Image Apple Ind Feat Image Apple Ind
News1 day ago

Apple Offers to Increase Investment in Indonesia Tenfold to RM446 Million to Lift Country’s iPhone 16 Series Ban

Previously, we shared how the Apple iPhone 16 Series is banned from being sold in Indonesia until the tech giant...

My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263 My Post 1 2024 11 20T144359.263
News1 day ago

BERSIH Names Ismail Sabri the Best PM Since 2009, Calls Out PMX for Lack of Urgency with Reforms

In conjunction with the upcoming 2nd anniversary (24 November) of Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections,...

Announcement

Latest Videos



TRENDING TODAY