Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the Huguan Siou (paramount leader) of the Kadazandusun-Murut community was quoted by the Daily Express on February 28th as saying that 10 subjects is more than enough for candidates of the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM).
It is extremely dissapointing that the leader of the Kadazandusun community has made this statement since he is supposed to champion the usage of the Kadazandusun language. Secondly being a Christian and a leader of a community who are predominantly Christians, he should have been more careful in making the statement.
Does the honourable Huguan Siou know what he is implying? For the SPM examinations, Science-stream students have to sit for five obligatory subjects, namely Malay Language, English Language, Mathematics, History and Moral Education. Science stream subjects usually include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Additional Mathematics. So, altogether Science-stream students would sit for 9 subjects.
As for Arts Stream students, the obligatory subjects are Malay Language, English Language, Mathematics, History, Moral Education and General Science plus three optional subjects which are usually Arts, Literature (Malay or English) and Geography which mean Arts students would also sit for 9 subjects.Similarly, students from other streams too would usually be sitting for 9 subjects.
But what about students who want to sit for Bible Knowledge and Kadazandusun Language in the SPM. Kadazandusun Language has been made an examination subject for Form Three since last year, and by next year it would be available as an SPM subject. When added with the 9 existing subjects, there would be 11 subjects for students who want to sit for Kadazandusun and Bible Knowledge.
By making this statement, Datuk Pairin is unknowingly discouraging Kadazandusun students from sitting for Bible Knowledge and Kadazandusun.This is most regrettable since being the leader of Kadazandusuns, he should be encouraging Kadazandusuns to master their language and religion.
It is indeed sad, that Kadazandusuns who are indigenous to this country are being discouraged to study their language and religion by none other than their own leader.
It is not known what triggered Datuk Pairin to make that statement, but it appeared to be a statement that was made with little prior research. Perhaps his advisors gave him the wrong advice.
The North Borneo Herald believes that Datuk Pairin has no intentions against Kadazandusun students wanting to sit for Kadazandusun Language and Bible Knowledge. But it is hoped that future statements take into account the situation on the ground.
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From 2nd Lent Sunday: Genesis 15:5-18, Phil 3:17-4:1, Luke 9:28-36
Having chance to view from a distance of above 50 floors up in a building. The things that normally seemed big (people, threes, vehicles..) now appeared small, even insignificant.
This is just like having chance to distance ourselves from the details of our lives, we can see the bigger picture and understand how things might be missed when we keep our eyes too close to the ground. Perhaps then we can get a glimpse of how God looks on the world. Too often, we can get so absorbed in the immediate situations we find ourslves in, whether they be good times when we are caught up in the enjoyment or the pursuit of our successes or the bad times when our pressures or trials leave us doen or evn resentful. At such times, it is so easy for us to miss the "big picture".
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/565b.html
How have I been preoccupied with my own pleasures or pains to see that God has a plan for me?
Ehat are some ways I can regain my view of the "big picture"?
Try to think from the bigger picture of Kadazandusun. How many of them are able to cope with so many subjects at one time?
How can we guide the students to handle their study effeciently?
last time i saw they were doing fine...whether they can or cannot it up to them why want to limit them since for the thousand time the leaders always say the sky is the limit..if we fail it becoz we are lazy,drunkard and wat ever negatives they can think off..my advice is dont support blindly wit out using ur brains..wit great powers came great responsibilities...no
son of seventh
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