E-solution to heavy bags

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
The New Sunday Times
June 17, 2018

JUST Google “heavy bag problem” and almost instantly, some 115,000,000 responses will be listed, giving the impression that it is not a Malaysian problem.

It stretches far and wide to more than a decade ago involving developed countries as well as developing ones. Neighbouring Asean countries are not spared.

And as recent as three years ago, the focus was mostly on the negative health impact on students, including neck and shoulder pain, backache and spinal spondylosis — some of which can be permanent.

As a result, students become disinterested in schooling and learning, and this, more often than not, contributes to absenteeism. However, do not confuse this issue with another heavy bag problem in boxing. It is unrelated.

In Malaysia, discussions about the issue can be traced back to as far as the turn of the century. Yet, the education minister lists it as one of his top priorities that need to be resolved immediately.

Between then and now, there have been many suggestions and attempts to address the issue. These include leaving textbooks at school or at home, and bringing only the ones needed for the day.

Others have suggested to split books into small relevant sections or chapters and leave “irrelevant” sections behind. This method is messy and can cause confusion as there is an endless number of chapters to deal with, given the number of subjects taught in schools.

So, the problem drags on. Another suggestion is to use roller bags, but that doesn’t solve the problem. The bags will have to be carried at some point, especially when students climb stairs.

The minister suggested enquiry-based learning as an alternative. This is neat because it is not centred on books and, thus, can be a real solution.

But there are many implications. For one, it is very different from what schools, teachers and especially students have been through, which is akin to rote learning.

This is a far cry from enquiry and thinking. We are more interested in looking for answers and, most of the time, there is only one right answer.

Enquiry-based learning is more focused on asking the “right” questions. And that is definitely not our forte across the board.

Our education is mostly an “indoctrination” of sorts, where question-and-answer sessions are generally a very “lonely” affair. We are not about nurturing critical thinkers.

Enquiry-based learning is more demanding than higher-order thinking skills (HOTS), which is one of the six student aspirations in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.

While HOTS can be finetuned into enquiry-based learning, there are still misgivings.

The government is facing difficulties implementing HOTS in many places. In other words, the likelihood of enquiry-based learning being implemented in the near future is quite low.

Moreover, enquiry-based learning requires small classes with a healthy facilitator-to-student ratio.

Students must be disciplined and independent learners who are willing to make preparations, like going through stacks of reading and conducting self-reflection.

They must also be ready to participate and look for the “right” questions to ask via participation and interactions in schools. Enquiry-based learning is largely evidence-based too.

So, this proposal raises legitimate questions in light of where we stand in terms of students’ current practices and readiness.

There are many dilapidated schools, especially in rural areas, that must be repaired before enquiry-based learning can become a reality.

We have not even included student discipline in the equation. Absenteeism and truancy top the list of the most common disciplinary issues faced by schools.

For enquiry-based learning to work, structural adjustments must take place, and this is a demanding and time-consuming process. Certainly, it will take more than 100 days, if not longer.

Meanwhile, more than 15 years have been squandered, with little to no change. We just cannot wait much longer.

So, what is left? Not much, unless technology is called into play. The most obvious solution is to use e-books in place of printed textbooks. This will get rid of the latter almost instantly.

E-books can be uploaded to notebook computers or tablets that are not only light, but also easy to use and maintain.

Content can be easily retrieved, updated or even replaced at almost no cost. Animated diagrams and graphics can be embedded as visual aids to help students understand their subjects better.

The only barrier is, of course, the availability of reliable devices that can handle the workload and run fast enough for optimal learning.

However, even smartphones can handle these tasks and can create a conducive learning environment anytime, anywhere.

So, there should be no more excuses, what with the number of projects aimed at distributing devices to schools nationwide to enhance learning and meet international standards.

Unfortunately, the implementation of these projects is vague, and it is uncertain whether these devices are ending up in the right places or in the hands of those in need of quality learning.

And if they do, will there be an uninterrupted supply of electricity to create a sustainable learning environment, especially in rural areas?

All these are vital prerequisites that must be fulfilled to not only resolve the heavy bags issue, but also raise the quality of education.

This is not about overemphasising the mechanisation of learning at all. The use of electronics in an irrational way may produce other undesirable effects, such as over exposure to screens and sedentary lifestyles.

A blended approach involving out-of-classroom activities and face-to-face interactions must be adopted. Desired cultural values, such as kebahagiaan, kasih sayang and saling hormat menghormati, are easily acculturated too. Ultimately, learning is fun to pursue.

In the final analysis, the solution is doable and has been staring in our face. It is not rocket science and, therefore, we can embark on it so that all Malaysians can participate in shaping a new nation.

In addition, it can have tremendous outcomes at a relatively lower cost, making the e-solution option the best choice in the right direction. Heavy bags and backpacks will fast become history.  

Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abd Razak is a fellow of the Centre of Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS) and the chairman of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia's Board of Directors