Does the Malaysian education system promote creativity?

How do we define creativity? How do we ensure we are creative and the future generations are creative enough to withstand and propel our country into the unknowns of future? How can creativity be fostered? Is it possible to give exercises for creativity? A program? A system of education? Is creativity something that can be trained or taught?
What does our country need today? More novels, theories, scholarship or universities? They are certainly significant but I would also suggest that we need a totally different form of living, a way of facing the problems that plague our country? We need teachers, politicians, parents who are highly creative. We need people whose minds are not damaged. Who are alert, sensitive, who listen and watch both themselves and others?
One cannot disagree that the Malaysian education system is well provided and equally accessible. We have excellent network of schools providing primary and secondary education. Now our tertiary education sector is booming and lots of intellects are been imported. Rising number of foreign student flocking to our universities and colleges serves example for it. But the question remains, does it promote creativity. Well, I am against it for most part.
Creativity (or creativeness) is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or new associations between existing ideas or concepts. To achieve this objective we need to engage in the process of identifying problems and finding the best solutions to it. As it is a process, we need to emphasize on character development from the earliest stages. However, most primary schools do not do this. The primary and secondary school syllabi emphasizes on theory. Students engage in rote learning and memorization of facts which have little relevance in the real world. One can go on learning and by hearting but would still lack the necessity tenacity and foresight to solve real world problems and adjust to the ever changing demands of the job market.
The Malaysian government needs to consider course structures which give more importance to character development (industrial training) and less theory. Hence there would be more usable human intellect. The emphasis must not be in preparation for the exams but on enhancing and encouraging student to be more creative and outgoing. What is the use of Bahasa Malaysia as subject in university level? What can it add to a student’s level of creativity? These are subjects which should be taught at secondary or primary levels. Precious times are lost here and less of other more important curricula are less used.
I agree that memorization and to a certain extent rote learning is a necessary prerequisite for ones growth and education. Without "memorizing", one can never become a doctor, and without further "memorizing" to a certain extent, he or she will never qualify to be a "specialist". As well, without proper training and familiarity it would be dangerous to assume a doctors duty.
There needs to be opportunities to develop ones creativity- critical thinking and analytical skills. Memorization of facts and ability to think and analyze real world problems must go hand in hand. This will not be achieved through exams, text books or lecturers giving lengthy –most of the time boring- lecture, but with opportunities for growth of the intellectual mind and enhancement of one’s creative skills.
Subjects such as History are often treated with disdain and irrelevance, particularly by the students who view the "facts" and knowledge picked up from the subject is "useless". These subjects are critical in helping students enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills. The weakness in our education system with regards to these subjects is the angle from which these subjects are taught and examined, as well as the ability of the teachers to teach these subjects from an analytical perspective. To illustrate, History should be a subject about "Why's" instead of "What's". The examination questions should be asking "Why did Japan launch an invasion on Southeast Asia? Was the invasion inevitable?" instead of "When did Japan invade Malaysia and how many bicycles did they use?" Both answers will still require elements of memorising (remembering facts), but the former will actually require the student to think and apply the relevant facts.
One cannot disagree with the fact that Malaysian university course structures are not as rigorous and comprehensive as those in other developed countries. In other words the level and the quality of education are lower. Most students lack the broader subject content and hence limit the level of creativity. This is partly due to the fact the primary and secondary level syllabi are not advanced. Malaysian universities are not even in the top 100 in the world. Therefore, to develop a creative and challenging workforce, primary and secondary schools syllabi must be improved, so that in the later stages the students can be exposed to more rigorous and comprehensive courses as in the developed countries.
Malaysian education, system is not as advanced as it is in the developed countries like United States, UK etc. But certainly, it is improving and is better when compared to most countries in the region. As leaders cannot be produced, creativity is not something you can impart on someone. But it is a long process which should start from our homes and continue to universities and beyond.

For courage lie in deeds not boastful lies:

There are two ways to live ones life. To accept and be happy about what is happening around and or taking action to change what is happening around. One should be deaf and blind not to see all the problems that exist in our country and prophesize all is well with the Maldivians. Corruption, drugs, social injustice, poverty, selfish leaders, blatant human rights abuses and torture are just few that have taken root in our small island nation.

When enough is enough, we need people to stand against injustice and inequality. Our country so far has not failed us in this. Utheemu Mahaaradhun (Mohamed Thakurufaanu), Ali Rasgefaanu, Dhon bandaarain and Dhandehelu are just few heroes who have not cared about themselves but only a better day for all Maldivians. Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his brothers fought the mighty Portuguese and defeated them only for us to enjoy our life, religion and nation. Ali Rasgefaanu must have been very proud and happy that day in the heavens above.

Today if Mohamed Thakurufaanu was to appear by our side and see for himself all that is happening in our nation, what would he say? Would he be proud of what we have done to our nation? Surely, tears would come to his eyes and wonder how, by us –not a foreign power- has made this nation worse than it was under Andhiri Andhirin. Don’t get me wrong, but it is a better sight to see Americans bombing Baghdad than one Muslim killing another.

With all those Independence Day dances routines, parades and hoo-ha, I wonder how many Maldivians really feel independent. With our 41st Independence Day celebrations behind us, lets examine are we really independent. The answer is BIG NO. We are not free or independent. We all are a part of the system which is rooted in corruption and torture. Corrupt deals for those people who support the bosses and torture for those who do not. Either you are with us or perish in jails is the motto of our leaders. There is no political freedom. Until recently, if you voice any dissent, you would find yourself behind bars and tortured to death. There is no social justice system. The ruling clans have always been above the law and treating the constitution as if it is their fathers will. Effectively our country is a police state, where arbitrary arrests, police violence and torture are widespread. Free people do not go around begging for medical treatment, food, children’s education etc. With almost half of the youth wasted in drugs, how many households can really feel safe: thefts, street fighting and other hardcore crimes have been on the rise. If you send your daughter to the nearest shop in male, how sure are you that she would not be mugged or molested?

For the past three decades Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, the autocratic ruler of our country has clawed on dissent and has never admitted failure. What strike me most is that a self proclaimed preacher of Islam have never admitted his guilt and apologized for the injustice and pain he have inflicted upon his people. All he does is talk of the progress he has made and that more needed to be done. All he does is to blame others for incompetence and praise him. All he talks is about the hard work his government has done to provide a safe and respectable life for the people. But the complete truth is that majority of Maldivians’ live in poverty, their civil liberties are abused and human rights ignored. Mohamed Thakurufaanu or Ali Rasgefaanu would not be happy with us, that we have let such a tyrant to destroy their beloved nation and waste their life’s sacrifices. We have failed our Martyrs and men of valor. When on martyr’s day Maumoon praises their efforts it would be like North Koreas leader Kim Jong il giving a speech about democracy. It would be like Maumoon laughing at our martyrs as they have given him a place to “loot” as he wished.

But, there is always hope. Truth and justice always wins over lies and injustice. When Ali Rasgefaanu took his last breath he must have prayed Allah that his beloved nation be free of that Portuguese power which inflicted pain on the face our proud nation. Albeit years after, Maldivians defeated a major power that time and proclaimed freedom from a dangerous past. I know of no way of judging the future, but by the past. And judging by the past Maldives was never short of heroes who fought for freedom and liberty. We have defeated tyrants from with in and colonial powers from abroad.
Today also we are no less short of freedom fighters, everyday heroes or “reformists” (more politicized). I don’t know whether Mohamed Nasheed-Anni is the Maldivian Mandela or not. It is up to the generations after him to judge him. Certainly, he and others like him has started a fight and this fight will not end, till when all Maldivians can come out of a corrupt and unjust system which for years has made a mockery of their life. Today, the nation has awakened and the fire of freedom is burning in our hearts. With all the AK-47’s Maumoon have not been able dent our resolve as our courage is far sharper. Maumoon must not mistake our silence for beneath it lies rage, burning fire and a strong desire to give our children a better future.
Maumoon must today understand that he is now a yesterday’s man and he cannot force his will against an entire nation longing for an end to his unjust rule. History books will not be friendly with him and his story will be a frightening remainder to all our leaders that a dictator’s end would not be “rosy”. If he is any wise today, Maumoon must now step down and ask forgiveness from the entire nation and may be then we would be lenient with him- Not Guaranteed. This is not a threat but something which will happen for sure. We are passionate about our freedom and it is greater than our lives.