KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The home is the starting point for the
character development of youths as having a good parenting and family
environment may lead them to possess good values, said Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor,
wife of the prime minister.
She said early childhood education and care must be complemented by a home
before further support from other parties.
"This is further supported and strengthened by schools, communities, faith
groups and the larger environment that we build around us. If one is surrounded
by an environment that condones immoral acts, this can potentially jeopardise
one’s ability to possess good values and morals to behave accordingly.
"The two (values and morals) must be in synchronisation for good character
to prevail," she said in her recorded speech for the "Caring Education in the
21st Century Symposium: Women''s View" entitled "Inculcating Values in Today''s
Youth", here, today.
The symposium was organised by the Miss Malaysia India Care Association
(MMICARE Association) under the ''Gift Her with Life Fund'' which supports
mammograms and dialysis aid for women and scholarship for girls.
-- MORE
ROSMAH-VALUES 2 KUALA LUMPUR
Rosmah said schools and colleges also play a major role in this endeavour
since parents expect these institutions to provide education and equip their
children with knowledge and skills.
"Discipline, particularly self-discipline, is a form of character building.
However, teachers often refrain and are inhibited in disciplining students for
fear of legal action from parents.
"Hence, parents should not be overly protective in instances when their
children need to be disciplined at school," she said.
She said teachers and lecturers in schools and institutions need to embrace
a universal values system that will help the young to move into adulthood
equipped with sound values.
The education system must look beyond traditional classroom pedagogical
approaches to encompass explorative ability, she said.
-- MORE
ROSMAH-VALUES 3 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
"Education must not only transmit knowledge but must develop the skills and
behaviours that youths need when they assume roles in their respective
societies. Education must provide a safe environment for youths to confidently
express their views," she said.
Rosmah said public and private institutions also have a big role in enabling
an environment that strengthens good character and a values system.
"What we build at home is what we will see in our communities. The work of
building good character in our youth and building a sound values system in our
communities is everyone’s responsibility.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to things that are morally incorrect in our
society. No matter our age, we each have the responsibility of voicing out that
which is wrong," she said.
-- BERNAMA
NDJM AKT MGN