Monday, October 26, 2009

One girl dead, 2 missing, 19 safe after falling into Sg Kampar (Update 5)


http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/10/27/nation/20091027085329&sec=nation

By IVAN LOH


KAMPAR: One girl is dead, two pupils are still missing and nineteen have been found safe.
They are the 22 pupils on a camping trip who fell into Sungai Kampar when the suspension bridge they were crossing broke near Kuala Dipang, Kampar, at about 10pm on Monday.
The dead girl was identified as Dina Deve Nathan, 11, from SK Tamil Mambang Diawan. Rescuers found her at Kampung Pasir, about 2km downstream from the broken bridge, at about 8.40am Tuesday. Her body was sent to the Kampar Hospital.
Police said twenty other pupils, who were not on the bridge, escaped unscathed.
According to one of the survivors, Mohd Azid Teng, 12, from SKJC Bemban near Kampar, the pupils had had supper at SK Kuala Dipang and were crossing the bridge to get to the camping site when a few of the pupils started jumping and shaking the bridge.
The bridge then gave way and he found himself falling into the river along with the other screaming pupils.
Fortunately, he fell into shallow waters and waded out.
They were among 298 students from 60 primary schools from Kampar, Tronoh and Batu Gajah who were attending a co-curriculum activity organised by the Kinta Selatan district education office.
Search and rescue is ongoing.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir is at the scene.

Guru, guru besar bakal terima insentif istimewa

PUTRAJAYA: Lebih tiga hingga empat peratus guru termasuk pengetua dan guru besar bakal menerima insentif istimewa dinilai pada kecemerlangan sekolah masing-masing, Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin

Yassin mengumumkan demikian semalam.

Beliau berkata, satu jawatankuasa khas akan ditubuhkan Kementerian Pelajaran bagi membuat penilaian menentukan guru yang layak.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata, bentuk insentif istimewa itu hanya diumumkan akhir tahun ini bagi membolehkan tumpuan guru dapat diberikan sepenuhnya terhadap aspek kepemimpinan di sekolah mereka.

“Ia akan dinilai bukan hanya bersandarkan kepada kecemerlangan keputusan peperiksaan semata-mata malah turut mencakupi aspek kepimpinan di sekolah dan beberapa kriteria lain,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penyampaian hadiah pertandingan ‘’Mighty Minds’’ di sini.

Beliau berkata, Ia mungkin dalam bentuk bonus gaji sebanyak sebulan atau dua bulan.

“Semua ini akan diberikan dalam bentuk pakej kerana ia bukan hanya bergantung pada kejayaan pengetua atau guru besar saja, ia mesti usaha membabitkan ramai pihak. Kita akan maklumkan sebelum akhir tahun ini,” katanya.

Mengulas mengenai pemberian Biasiswa Nasional kepada 30 pelajar terbaik, beliau berkata, ia akan dimulakan tahun depan dengan mengambil kira keputusan Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) tahun ini.

“Kementerian putuskan melakukan penggredan semula, sistem pemarkahan dengan gred baru. Kita akan pilih pelajar yang terbaik antara yang terbaik, ‘creme de la creme’ daripada keseluruhan pelajar dan ia dilakukan Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA),” katanya.

Penilaian pelajar tersebut, jelas beliau, akan ditentukan jawatankuasa khas yang akan dibentuk.

Dalam perkembangan lain Muhyiddin berkata, kurikulum baru mata pelajaran di sekolah akan digubal untuk menjadikan proses pembelajaran lebih holistik, kondusif dan menyeronokkan.

“Pendekatan baru ini menjadikan pelajar lebih profisien selaras dasar baru kementerian; memartabatkan Bahasa Melayu dan mengukuhkan Bahasa Inggeris. Ini akan menjadikan sistem pengajaran dan pembelajaran lebih kondusif dan tidak hanya tertumpu kepada peperiksaan semata-mata,” katanya.- Bernama

PM terima kunjungan penerima biasiswa Harvard


PUTRAJAYA: Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, menerima kunjungan hormat daripada anak Malaysia pertama yang ditawarkan biasiswa di Universiti Harvard, Amerika Syarikat di pejabatnya di sini hari ini. 

Tunku Dr Sharifah Elizah Cornelia Jamalullail, 29, ditawarkan biasiswa daripada universiti tersohor itu untuk melakukan kajian di dalam bidang psikiatrik selama sebulan.

Biasiswa di bawah naungan The Mahadevan Fellowship Travelling To Harvard University itu membolehkan beliau melanjutkan pengajian di Jabatan Psikiatri, Hospital Massachusetts Amerika yang pernah dinobatkan sebagai hospital terbaik dunia selama 13 tahun berturut-turut.

Pada majlis itu, Najib turut menyaksikan majlis menandatangani sijil Mahadevan Fellowship Award yang diserahkan kepada Dr Sharifah Elizah Cornelia sebagai simbol kejayaan beliau.

Dr Sharifah Elizah Cornelia yang kini berkhidmat separuh masa dengan Twin Tower Medical Centre, berkata beliau akan berlepas ke Amerika malam ini dan bekerjasama dengan London School of Clinical (Malaysia) sekembalinya ke tanah air bulan depan.

Beliau berharap kajian yang akan dilakukannya itu memberi manfaat kepada dunia perubatan negara khususnya dalam bidang psikiatri, sekaligus memberi sumbangan kepada program kesihatan mental antarabangsa.
Dr Sharifah Elizah Cornelia yang lebih mesra dikenali sebagai Dr Elly, adalah lulusan Guy's Hospital, London, dan sangat berminat dengan aspek penjagaan dan kebajikan pesakit.

Beliau dipilih daripada tiga calon lain yang disenarai pendek untuk menerima biasiswa itu.

Turut disenaraikan ialah penuntut tahun akhir Fakulti Perubatan International Medical University, Dr Ng Khian Boon; pakar psikiatri kanan di Bahagian Psikiatri Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Kedah, Dr Gayathri Kumarasuriaris, dan perunding psikiatri Pusat Perubatan Pantai, Dr Zainal Daniel Abdul Rahman.

Turut serta pada pertemuan itu ialah isteri bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, yang juga anggota Jawatankuasa Persekutuan Kesihatan Mental Sedunia.
The Mahadevan Fellowship Travelling To Harvard University adalah biasiswa khusus dalam bidang psikiatri dan hipnosis klinikal yang dinamakan sempena Tan Sri Dr M Mahadevan.

Penerima biasiswa ini dinilai berdasarkan keupayaan mereka sebagai ahli psikiatri atau pengamal perubatan dan perlu memiliki Diploma Hipnosis Klinikal dari London College of Clinical Hypnosis yang merupakan tempat Dr Mahadevan menuntut satu ketika dahulu.

Dr Mahadevan adalah pelopor dalam kedua bidang berkenaan di negara ini yang mula berkhidmat sebagai pakar psikiatri seawal tahun 1961.

Kejayaan beliau mula diiktiraf selepas berjaya menyelamatkan seorang lelaki daripada kemalangan ngeri di Dublin, Ireland hanya menerusi hipnosis klinikal. - Bernama

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Best students will get to further education at top varsities


THIRTY of the country’s creme de la creme students will be awarded National Scholarships strictly based on merit, which will allow them to further their education in world-renowned universities.
Those who get National Higher Education Fund Corporation loans will also see the loans being converted to scholarships beginning next year — if they graduate with first class honours.
All university students will be offered a netbook package of RM50 per month for two years, including free broadband service.
Rapt attention: Universiti Malaysia Perlis students watching the live telecast of Budget 2010 in Kangar yesterday. — Bernama
There are goodies for schoolchildren. A complimentary student discount card will be given by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad for long-distance services. Pre-school education — to receive RM48mil — will be incorporated into the mainstream national education system, aimed at increasing children’s participation from 67% to 87% by 2012.
The Permata Programme will get RM100mil to expand and implement five programmes, including early childcare and education for children under five, training those talented in performing arts and guiding exceptionally intelligent students. It will also have a programme to train youths aged between 18 and 25 years to discourage them from getting involved in social ills.
Twenty high performance schools will be identified next year to produce excellent students, focusing, among others, on academic excellence, overall students’ achievements and curriculum activities.
To enhance the skills of the local workforce, RM2bil will be put aside to upgrade polytechnics and community colleges, provide a RM1.3bil loan fund for 32,000 students, and to build and maintain equipment at various industrial training and skills institutes.
The Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia at level four and above will also be accredited as being equivalent to the academic stream, making the holders eligible for employment in the public sector and salaries equivalent to diploma holders.
Additionally, RM32mil will be used for special modules, student screening and training programmes to increase literacy and numeracy to 100% among Year One pupils.
The Government will also ensure that schools are managed and administered professionally by principals and head teachers.
For excellence schools, it will introduce the New Deal package, whereby rewards in the form of monetary and non-monetary incentives and autonomy in administration will be accorded.
In tertiary education, public higher education institutions will be granted greater autonomy. The Government will also consider relaxing rules and regulations, which has hindered these institutions from generating their own income and thus reducing their financial dependence.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Muhyiddin's assurance on quality education for all


2009/10/10


PORT DICKSON: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday reiterated the government's commitment in providing quality education for all and ensuring the welfare and well-being of its teachers.
He said the biggest chunk of the government's yearly budget was spent on education, especially in paying the salaries of teachers.

"The government greatly recognises and appreciates the contribution made by teachers, who play a vital role in shaping the youths of the future.

"Teachers are the stepping blocks who help shape quality human capital to continue with the future progress and development of the country," he said after meeting teachers and others in the education field at the Politeknik Port Dickson here.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (second from left) learning the art of wrapping fried mee during their visit to a food stall belonging to Idris Mustapa, 63, (left) and Rohani Mat Yusof, 55, in Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, yesterday.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (second from left) learning the art of wrapping fried mee during their visit to a food stall belonging to Idris Mustapa, 63, (left) and Rohani Mat Yusof, 55, in Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said the issues of teachers' promotions, reducing workload, enhancing training and providing more incentives were often discussed at weekly cabinet meetings.

On the reversal of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English (PPSMI) to Bahasa Malaysia, he said much consideration was given to this.

"I want to assure you all that there is nothing to worry about.

"If there are sufficient teachers and the infrastructure, which includes the printing of text books, we may consider starting Year One of Upholding Bahasa Malaysia and Strengthening English (MBMMBI) in 2011."

On the National Key Result Areas, the deputy premier said there were four areas that touched on education.

The first was on efforts for all children to attend pre-school from the present 63 per cent only. Starting next year, he said new schools would be built, starting with 378 classrooms, and in three years, all children would be able to attend pre-school.

"From our research, we found that pre-school is very important and we want to make it possible for everyone to send their children."

Secondly, Muhyiddin said it was the government's target that all children could read and count by the time they were in Year Three.

"We will identify weak students in Year One itself and provide special classes for them to ensure they are not left behind," he said.


The third area was to identify 100 schools in the next three years to be converted into high performance schools. These schools, Muhyiddin said, would cater for excellent students and receive additional assistance from the government.

"We have to date identified 20 which will become high performance schools from next year."

The final area, Muhyiddin said, was a new scheme being considered for headmasters who often had to bear several responsibilities.

He said those who manage to steer their schools towards achieving higher performances would be given incentives starting next year.

"This scheme will also be extended to teachers of that particular schools."



Sunday, October 11, 2009

Peer pressure main cause of addiction: Study


Charles Ramendran


KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11, 2009): Influence and coaxing by friends to try out drugs are among the main factors behind  the destructive beginnings of a narcotic addict.


In a study done on 26,841 drug addicts between 2007 and 2008, 55% of them confessed that they became hooked on drugs after being introduced to it by friends, while 35% were led to addiction after trying out drugs purely for fun and out of curiousity.


Surpisingly, the findings from the National Drug Agency (AADK) also revealed that the anguish of being unemployed and working at entertaiment outlets where the availability of narcotics is usually high had low influence on the jobless and workers of the industry who made up only about 10% of the addicts.


The highest number of drug users were general workers and along with those from the construction, sales, fishing, plantations and service industries collectively made up some  70% of the addicts in the breakdown by employment.


Another finding was that  three quarters of the addicts had either completed their education up to Form Three or Form Five, during which time they had been told of the dangers of drug abuse.


Only 2.6% of them have never had any schooling.


There were only 624 women out of all the addicts.


More than 60% of the junkies were found to be in Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Johor while barely 2% were from Sabah and Sarawak.


A total of 18,218 or about 68% of drug abusers were found in the 18 - 39 age group.


Heroin and morphine topped the list as the most popular narcotics among 70% of addicts.


AADK deputy director-general Prof Dr Mahmood Nazar Mohamed said at a recent function that the first taste of drugs can put youngsters at the risk of getting hooked.


He said the AADK with its various programmes including the Rakan Anti Dadah (RADA) membership drive hopes to instil such awareness of the ills of drugs into teens and young adults.


He also said the rehabilitation of addicts has been more successful than previous years.


Rehabilitation takes between one and two years depending on the person's level of addiction, he said. A successful case is when an individual stays clear of drugs for two years after being released from the rehabilitation centre.


He said the agency has also assisted ex-addicts in setting up small businesses to churn out a living.


As for job placements, the ex-addicts are easily accepted in the construction, plantations and service industries but not for jobs such as security guards due to their past record for drug offences, he said.


(http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=38952)




Road safety starts in schools



IT IS deeply disturbing to note with all the precautions taken, even to the extent of declaring  Sept 18 a public holiday to spread the balik kampung traffic, there was no reduction in the number of accidents and deaths compared to similar periods in previous years.


Without attempting to cast aspersions on the authorities concerned it is plain to see that Ops Sikap XX has not produced the desired results.


It is time a comprehensive study is undertaken to find the cause of this phenomenally high rate of fatal accidents.


Our highways are said to be  some of the best in the world for their structural lay-out and quality.


Yet the figures on accidents keep spiralling upwards. I think this has much to do with our mind-set.


Many of us have not been inculcated with the right  attitudes in our developmental years on the correct approach to using the roads. Additionally, the lack of stringent and concerted enforcement has over generations bred a lackadaisical attitude in our motorists and motorcyclists.


Consideration, courtesy, care and patience are woefully lacking in a lot of the driving public when they take to the roads. Taking shortcuts, beating the lights and intimidating  other road users to their right of way seem to be the feature among many motorists and motorcyclists. One mindless act  can cause a pile-up and several deaths. The survival of the fittest should never be the motto.


Whatever is the cause for such a mindset and attitude? Could it be that they have not been taught better?


To my mind it is due to a gap in their education. The road is not an avenue for adventure and asserting one’s ego should never be the goal. Educating children on the precepts  of road usage should go hand in hand with the learning of the 3R’s.


Learning by example  is effective. If adults do not set a good example, then the children will know no better. They will follow suit thinking it is the way of life.


Essentially, respect, civility, courtesy, care, patience and consideration are the iron-clad virtues to ensure safety on the roads. Missing out on any one of those virtues could spell disaster.


JYR, Petaling Jaya




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