11.29.08
A break from my hiatus (haha).
I find it disturbing that just the first day into the examination and I have successfully achieved The Haggard look. Burok kan. Oh 2nd Dec, di mana dikau. Come quick please. I miss you like I’ve never missed before. Haha. Nyek ah Hannah.
So my last paper is on Monday at 5pm. My second last paper is on Monday at 9am. Seronoknye.
Anyway guess what people. My MOTHER, is addicted to PSP. Can you believe thaat? It’s my bro’s. He got it coz he did quite well for his PSLE, so dad got him one. But so far, who have I been seeing playing with PSP? More of the mum, definitely. She’s cute, I know. :D
Speaking of PSLE results, so we all know about how the Madrasahs fared (stale news la Hannah. People already moving on to MUMBAI and BANGKOK. But but but I exam mah! *buat muke kesian*).
So am I happy with the results? Yes, I am. Hamdan lillah. Am I contented already? No, but lain syakartum laaziidannakum. So, alhamdulillah. :)
I came across a blog (thanks to syasan aka my asyosye). Macam2 emosi ada bila baca.. It’s not so much on the blogger’s post on the PSLE results, but the comments it drew. Hebat hebat belaka.
Someone said she is “damn sick” of the “lame excuse” used by Madrasah students in order to justify their lack of performance.
Hmmmm.
I guess one needs to be part of the system to know how ‘heavy’ it is. I agree that this should not be the justification to the many failures time and again, and I have seen and experienced for myself how it is indeed possible to still excel in the system. However, I have to bear in mind that not everyone has the same privileges and opportunities to excel as how some of us did. I am NOT talking about intellectual or mental capabilities (in this case baru nak mengaku diri as a soci student. haha), but just the different range in cultural capital, ability to integrate into the school culture and so on. So to deny that the combination academic + ukhrawi subjects as being very ‘heavy’ is unfair, because I don’t just speak for myself.. I have to consider the others too.
It is for a fact that due to the extra number of subjects, the time spent on one subject is lesser. Speaking of PSLE level je, how many subjects does a national school student studies, and is being tested on? Compared to a Madrasah student, I can confidently say that in general the Madrasah students memang lagi banyak lah kan..
There also seems to be an understanding that Madrasahs do not teach humanities. I do not know of other Madrasahs, but we did history (although sampai sec 2/3 je) in Maarif and we took combined humanities for our O’levels (geography + social studies). And I know that other Madrasahs like Wak Tanjong, Arabiah and Irsyad pun buat Geography jugak..
What about CCAs? During my time, we did have CCAs ah. Like clubs and stuffs. I was in klab bahasa in Maarif and Naadillughoh in MWTI. (Boring seh Hannah. haha!) We have the activities every Saturday but I have to admit that it is not given the same weightage as in the national schools.
But really, I can see that the Madrasahs have been working hard in making improvements and progress in their system. Take Maarif for example, it has been 4-5 years since I left the school and just many many changes have taken place. And I know that the other Madrasahs have been striving to make changes too.
But then again, how big a change can you make with limited funds? I know this is yet another “lame” excuse that people hear of time and again, but hey, that IS another bulk of the problem. And I’ll have to say, whether you like or not; take it or leave it. Yes, probably some of the Madrasahs have not been using their already limited funds as wisely as possible, but lack of funds is seriously still a nagging issue. You need experts in revamping the system, you need to equip the school with adequate facilities, you need to train the teachers, you need to give the students a more holistic education.. YOU NEED FUNDS.
Haih. Honestly, it is very tiring to be speaking of this issue time and again (since I was in, say, sec 3?); especially if one is to take our position in arguments. I am not trying to be all emotional and ask people to stop their criticisms of Madrasahs. By all means, tafaddhal. In fact, some Madrasah students I know are more critical of the system than some of my non-Madrasah friends. But the thing is – I know it sounds cliché – I believe that if one wants to crticise, one should always do so CONSTRUCTIVELY. I’m not trying to point fingers at anyone, but sometimes, you can just sense the hatred that accompanies the comment. Why? No really, why?
Yes. This ‘achievement’ of the Madrasahs might seem kecik and insignifcant and ‘not there yet’ and everything else negative. We all know that. Compared to the NATIONAL standard, we are still lacking behind (although it will be VERY interesting to compare the overall results with MALAY students from the National schools). Yes. I can look you in the eyes and say yes, we still have a long way to go.
But let me kindly remind you that we’ve come a long way from where we were too. From the dumping ground for ‘unsuccessful’ Malay students to where we are now, we’ve made significant and probably even drastic changes. Growing up in a Madrasah, I’ve went through the phases of what I call the different eras of the Madrasahs and how people look at us. It has been a long journey, and I am thanking God for allowing me to grow and learn from this enlightening journey.
Madrasahs need to step up. They cannot afford to let even an ounce of complacency to creep in. Enough with inefficient managements, exploitation of power distribution and whathaveyous. It’s time to be geared up for success.
Yup. Madrasahs should not start “blowing their trumpets” just yet. It is still too soon. But surely, a pat on the back and an encouraging “Congrats, now let’s conquer greater heights already,” will not be too much to ask for?
Abu Raiyan said,
November 29, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Salam
Aiwah..fund! Madrasah2 di Spura kekurangan dana. Nak buat peningkatan pun terpaksa bertahap2. Ku heran ada org kata benda tu ‘lame excuse’..walhal,lau buka suratkhabar, selalu boleh nampak iklan dana tu dana ni. Madrasah ada usaha,bukannya tak ada..jadi,cam tak patut ah cakap gi2..lau facilities,hm lagi la..
‘ala kulli hal,ku pun tumpang happy golek2 tau bila tahu pasal result pelajar madrasah :p .orang kata,jauh di mata,dekat di hati..ceh.
Btw,la’allaki bikhair ya Umma Sofiyyah :)
eusof said,
November 29, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Okay okay okay!
Enough of the complains okay. =)
It’s high time to do something rather than talk about things which will bring us nowhere.
And yes yes yes! i will give a portion of my wealth for the madrasahs okay. Just du’a for my business success. I hope with this i can at least eliminate one of the complains against madrasah for not having enough funds and facilities. Du’a for me. Du’a for me. Du’a for me.
I am targeting my first $10K very soon and i will be giving most of it away. So i need you du’a. May my business be successful.
Thanks Hannah for bringing up this important point.
Reading your post makes me want to work day and night so that i can fund the needs of our ummah.
I need everyone’s support too…
eusof…
alfaqeer ilaa rabbihi.
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 4:28 am
Wsalam.
Ya aba raiyan.. lama tak dengar berita dari kau. :)
Haha yes. Kenangan being part of mencari dana. haha. Something that we all share eh. hihi.
golek2 eh. ku tak golek2 ah, cume happy je:p haha. ok abu raiyan. syukran atas doanya. jaga diri jaga iman :)
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 4:33 am
I’m not complaining Eusof. :)
Yes, it is time. And I will be doing something very soon, insyaAllah. Minta do’a semua ye:)
Orayts. Bittaufiq wan najaah for your future undertakings. Allah ma’ak. :)
faruq said,
November 30, 2008 at 9:59 am
Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised at the results but was shocked at some comments made regarding them.
Instead of backing madrasahs, they shoot them down.
It’s thanks to these schools that we can actually have future asatizahs. Those who critisize the madrasahs actually only think of the dunya – not the akhirah. Pikir pasal status ajer – semua dunya. And dunya = tak kekal. Kalau nak dunya, ambik lah – belum tahu besok masih hidup. Kita nak akhirat, lagik kekal.
To be able to attain such results with more than 10 subjects in hand is no mean feat. In fact, to properly gauge the real results – the national schools should compare those students who take the same number of subjects as the madrasah students. Baru fair per.
Congrats to the students – it’s a fantastic achievement.
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 10:16 am
:)
Do do’akan that they will continue to improve and not let unnecessary criticisms bog them down.
Jazaakallah:)
redtide said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Salam ‘alaik..
Firstly, i was laughing at the thought if my mum were to be playing the PSP..hahah.. but it’d be cool, to have a mum keeping up to date with the latest means of hobbies.
And yea, if we do have to critisize, do it constructively, in a way that will benifit others or make others realize their mistakes and want to change, not to totally ridicule them and say things that only would incite hatred and resentment.
But more importantly, before anything, we should try to understand the situation. Many don’t. They just shoot off at anything different to what they think or know.
Just to quote from a book..
Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them. Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds symphathy, tolerance and kindness. “To know all is to forgive all.”
“God Himself, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days.”
Why should you and I?
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Well-said, bro. Couldn’t agree more :)
fana said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:12 pm
salam alaik.
yes!! honestly, i am proud seh about madrasah’s achievement like brother faruq. i mean come on ah, you can’t expect things to change overnight ape kan? all these inputs will need time to take effect thoroughly and effectively. people are still adjusting to the new systems and i’ve always respected madrasah students for being able to cope with the massive number of subjects that they have. mcm fana ni, alahai. setakat berapa je da rase nak hentak kepale kat wall. what i feel that these critics lack is understanding. especially those who are not of madrasah education background, they should have at least, used their so called intellect, intelligence and rationalism that they overly banggakan, put themselves in these kids’ shoes and look at things from their very perspective and not just blatantly jump in dan secara melantang mengata dan tak berkata secara bernas dan waras. hahh kau. frust jugak nih. hahahaha.
and speaking of funds, there are schools that have religious inclinations in Singapore (not neccessarily Islamic) such as St. Anthony’s Primary School or St. Theresa’s or whatever Convent school that are under the larger administration system of the MOE. these schools, similar to madrasahs, have their early morning sermons la and what nots la, and it is mandatory for the non-whatever-their religion-is to join in the assembly. pardon me if there’s a lack of general knowledge on my part dan kalau boleh enlighten sikit, kenape madrasahs tak considered under the MOE system but yet these other “religious” schools are, or are madrasahs already so? because talking about funds, schools under MOE usually get their stipulated amount as drawn up by the budgets of the schools for the entire year (i think). if madrasahs were to be under MOE, mungkin la masalah funds ni dapat diovercome. kalau nak setakat depend on keihsanan manusia ni, agak terbantut jugak usaha-usaha ni. because as mentioned, madrasahs and mosques have year after year called for alms but still, these efforts have not effectively depart the madrasahs and mosques from status quo. so perhaps, new strategies need to be undertaken in order to attain more funds. like collaborate with businesses like GOLDEN CHANCE??? instead of just giving money away in a lucky draw to the buyers (who will the more splurge the money on buying more gold, at least more likely la) perhaps some could be chanelled to educational institutions for hey, ilm’ is definitely important man. it’s for a ‘more’ pristine cause, if i can put it that way.
and i am so clearly aware of how lowly paid the asatizahs are. yes, they might say,”oh takpe la. ni sume rezeki Allah. kalau rezeki saye, akan saye dapat. kalau tak, saye tetap bersyukur dan redha. lagipun saye ikhlas mendidik.” sungguh, i hear these sort of words from my own asatizahs. but i think it’s basic common sense that the administrative bodies or the general ummah MUST have been lacking, that they don’t realise these asatizahs are humans with basic needs. i might not have come from a full time madrasah education background but the experiences i have thus far as a madrasah mingguan student do actually educate me of these loopholes which honestly make me very sad ah. seeing that my ustazah who herself was from a secular education background has such high hopes and dreams for her students. amik cert tu, cert ni, to as far as JAKIM recognised ones, tapi susah nak capai sebab masalah funds ni jugak. haiya.
kalau fana ade rezeki lebih, walau tak seberapa banyak mcm brother eusof (saye turut mendoakan kejayaan akhy), i will, insyaAllah, contribute what i can afford. :)
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Wsalam.
MasyaAllah, bersemangat betul this pretty lady. Yes I agree with you dear:)
Yang pasal kenapa tak under MOE, and semua tu.. ehe.. I am not the best person to talk about this.. But it is possible that we talk about it when we finally meet up for lunch or something one day k? :p
Jap eh. JAKIM? JAKIM bukan kat Malaysia je ke?
And ya, you’re absolutely right about the part on the asatizah. Jazaahumullahu khairal jazaa’.
Semoga Allah mempermudahkan segala urusan kita nanti. Ameen:)
nuuun said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:33 pm
aku kind of terasa the “lack of performance” part…….
HAHAHAHA effect dia sampai sekarang sehhh, aku sungguh shaken. :P
tu lah, lagipun budak2 madrasah sekarang pun hip jugak, nak ada friendster/facebook accounts, psp, ipod, digicam (biasa ah) pulak ada lebih matapelajaran..tu yang MAKIN kurang peruntukan masa untuk belajar.. hahahahahaahhaha comment macam tak penting, inspired by your psp-playing mom. :P:P
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Haha. ape2 je kau. ape yang lack of performance nak terase? pe je eh:p
hahahaha. ok aku tak paham sangat part ni, but the thought that it was inspired by my psp-playing mum adalah sungguh kelakar. hehe:p
nuun said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:43 pm
your tak paham sangat comment takyah type ah! ape ahhhh hannah! :P
ummsofiyyah said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:44 pm
hahahah! *slaps knee*
fana said,
December 1, 2008 at 4:30 pm
JAKIM memang kat malaysia ler. singapore pya kan MUIS. hahahah. ape dahh. just that planning to take exam under JAKIM from here. insyaAllah.
Ibn Hajar said,
December 2, 2008 at 9:18 am
Salam ‘alaik…
Para asatizah dan para pelajar di madrasah adalah umpama orang-orang yang berjuang di jalan Allah.
Mereka bejuang bukan dengan berbekalkan senjata tetapi mereka berjuang dengan berbekalkan ilmu.
Mereka berjuang demi semata-mata untuk menegakkan agama Islam di muka bumi ini.
اللهمّ انصر المجاهدين في كل مكان الذين يجاهدون في سبيلك لتكون كلمتك هي العليا و كلمة الذين كفروا هي السّفلى. اللهمّ أعزّ الإسلام والمسلمين! اللهمّ أعزّ الإسلام والمسلمين! اللهم أعزّ الإسلام والمسلمين
و صلّى الله على سيّدنا محمد و على آاله وصحبه وسلّم والحمد لله ربّ العالمين
ummsofiyyah said,
December 2, 2008 at 2:05 pm
fana. ohhh. haha. sorry lah. time tu tengah blur kan tengah dalam stress exam. tapi sekarang insyaAllah da tak blur lagi. nak tau kenapa tak?
SEBAB DA HABES EXAMS!! yayy!!
lol. sorry. need to let that go :p
ummsofiyyah said,
December 2, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Ibn Hajar,
wa’alaikassalam.
:)
Abu Dajana said,
January 14, 2009 at 11:20 am
Assalamu alaikum,
Ya, we can be critical of madrasah system. But hey look, the sisters in madrasah here followed one commandment of Allah which many in singapore are forced not to follow or in a way forced to make the wrong decision.
If I had a chance to choose, I would have taken the madrasah route. Alas, I did not and now I regret it.