Saturday, November 15, 2008

Dualism in Education




Dualism in education as one in which two mutually independent systems upholding mutually exclusive and possibly contradictory educational philosophies operate simultaneously.
k
~Rosnani~

Secularism




Secularism is a code of duty pertaining to this life founded on considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who find theology indefinite or inadequate, unreliable or unbelievable.


And this definition is given based on the following three essential principles :
1. The improvement of this life is by material means.
2. That science is the available providence of man.
3. That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good.


~George Jacob Holyoake, the originator of the term “secularism”, in English Secularism ~


Secularism is a variety of utilitarian social ethic which seeks human improvement without reference to religion and exclusively by means of human reason, science and social organization. It has developed into a positive and widely adopted outlook which aims to direct all activities and institutions by a non-religious concern for the goods of the present life and for social well-being.


~Virgilius Ferm in Encyclopedia of Religion~

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Greetings to the Continent

Greetings to the Continent

I


They separate us

the passports visas frontiers all names for barriers

they rob us with their laws

sending bullets wrapped in dollars

forcing us to choose

and choose we must

there is no other way



II


Friend, you have chosen guns and bullets

many leaders prefer their dollars

for this you must soak your clothes

red grass, red river

children’s weeping

the blood of the exploited



III


You squeeze cactus and grind stones

to make food and drink

girls toil decorated in dust

little children sling on their weapons

you darken the sky with exploding pipelines

others sing in prisons

for the freedom of Palestine



IV


We strive in drying rice fields

daring peasants have begun to clear the virgin jungle

small beginnings in a cloudlike calmness

a calmness that nips us in the bud

we the few are still learning

from all your experiences,

and our own

we shall consolidate the May eclipse

at the true targetof this archipelago



V


Greetings

without visa

passport

golf

colour

to humanity,

people,

of all continents.




~Usman Awang, 1970~



(Translated by Muhammed Hj Salleh)


Sunday, November 02, 2008

The New Function of Higher Learning Institution



The institutions of higher learning today function as brokers for their two clients:
on the one hand ensuring the supply of manpower with the necessary skills to the market,
and on the other teaching the students marketable skills to assure them of high standards of living.


~Yedullah Kazmi~