Young at heart: Refuge over the wrong (or right) cause

"what's wrong with a little destruction?"

We often say that the future of our country is in the hands of our youths*. Our roles in the society with regard to the progressive behavior of our youths today is often reflected through the (critical) judgments that we make on them. For instance, a role-model youth studying in the UK takes off her tudung has caused stress to many Malaysians. In many ways, we have to acknowledge the fact that our society is a concern society. Regardless the contentions of their arguments are good or bad, the reality is the society cares.

University students' involvement in politics is not something new. It happens not only in Malaysia but across the world in general. We have seen many examples of riots done in the middle east countries involving students and this has waved to our country (somehow). Their involvement is also shown in their freedom of speech. Many youths speak openly of their views on politics on their Facebook, twitter, blogs and so on. Frankly, it's not that I am against all of this. I simply believe in healthy participation. One should participate and deliver his voice in a mature manner.

Riots and demonstrations tend to end negatively. When too many people in rage gather in one place, actions like shouting, quarreling, vandalism and fighting are more likely to happen. In many cases, people get hurt. Looking back at what happened in UPSI, it is clear that our youths are not ready to be involved in politics healthily. Many of them are emotional, reckless and perhaps, do not really know why they were there in the first place. In turn, it affects their studies and sadly, their future.

This is a worrying scenario as more and more young people are involved in such act and fought for all the wrong (or right) cause with the wrong behavior. As a caring society, what are our roles towards this issue? How can we train our young minds to behave in demonstrations and write in blogs appropriately?

Fix our belief system

Judging a person's behavior is easy. There are many instances where many people have judged the acts of others today. Actions are being monitored and criticized openly without addressing the real issue. When it comes to the youths, more and more people blame the parents, religion and government without even relating to the real issue properly. As a result, many people are becoming less tactful and immature.

Mannerism in freedom of speech has to be fixed. It is not entirely about whether we support or condemn the issue. It's about how we put up our stand in a balanced and harmonious way. The young minds today do not need us to bash them up without appropriately telling them what they should do. What we say should leave an impact and function as an eye-opener to them. Negative thoughts do not really fix things up. On the same line of reasoning, youths should train themselves to be open-minded with what others say about them too.

These days, the stand mind your own business has rooted in our society. We just do not care what other people say about us as long as we can do what we want. As a result, many of us fail to know our borders. We speak openly about a lot of issues without considering the sensitivity of our culture, religion and the country's constitutions. It seems that the world evolves around us only.

Frankly, it is very normal for this to happen. But we should remember that life is best learned from mistakes. And in order for the experience to be meaningful, we should be open about our mistakes and be forgiving at the same time. We cannot expect our views and ideas are always perfect. As for the youths, as much as the adults can give all the flawed arguments, you are no exception to it as well. Hence, all of us should be more careful in our speech, be more open to criticism and forgiving all the time. None of us here is perfect.

Transform the education system

The problem with the education system in this country is that it runs in a political manner. The policy changes from time to time and this has proven that the government is "serious" in handling the system. For instance, the university study term for degree and post-graduate changed overnight because one person said that we have to follow the overseas term. This has resulted to the long breaks given to students and a slightly longer time to complete their studies. Other than that, the changes in the medium of instruction in school for Maths and Science subjects have certainly proven how the ministry are "concern" about the future of our children, too.

All the changes done by the ministry and the government have honestly made me worried. Is the system being directed poorly? Why are they so indecisive? English has always been their concern. Nevertheless, despite the effort done to improve the students' language proficiency, many of them still fail to perform. I believe that Maths and Science should not be taught in English. Students should learn History in English because History is a subject that is rich in vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, at the same time ignite their imaginary skills, that will in the end develop their creative and critical thinking skills, which will benefit the development of their progressive behavior and freedom of speech later.

Sometimes, when we read the products (e.g. term paper, essays) prepared by many of our students today, their basic thinking skills are at stake too. Poor understanding of logic has led to many youths ended up delivering their ideas badly. A lot of ideas were analysed based on what they feel, not on what they should know about. This has caused tension to many people. How come these youths who were expected to run the country later cannot converse their thoughts fluently and accurately? Hence, the core of this issue goes back to the preparatory level of their thinking which is the school system.

The school system could use a serious transformation. Students need to stop learning for the sake of passing the exam and teachers as well as the school system need to be upgraded to a higher level. Teachers after 10 years of teaching should be sent away to further their studies. Give them access to discounted fees, and establish more universities for them to study instead of encouraging them to become complacent with their career. New teachers and new styles should replace the old ones. School headmasters and principals should be held by professors who own administrative diplomas, not old dogs who know how to do things their way only. Educationists should be the ones who run the show in the ministry. And every change should be supported with strong research findings. In this way, the changes in the system will be more extreme and not only the students' thinking and language skills will be developed, the students of today will also receive a transformation of a progressive and high quality of education.

Stop corrupting the minds of the youths

Political parties and organisations in this country should stop abusing the minds of the youths for the sake of their political interest. Let them deal with their studies and focus on their future. You know well enough that there are many youths in this country who are immature in dealing with your interest. Hence, you should stop putting these youths' future in jeopardy. You are already established, so, why messing with the youths who were about to have a taste of life? It is in many ways, unfair.

Political parties and organisations should be more content in empowering the youths to fight for the right cause like child abuse, baby dumping, orphanage, flood victims, turtle conservation and so on, rather than political interest which is usually a wrong cause. It is wrong to manipulate the young minds and instill rage in them who are in many ways weak as it will only cause more destruction to themselves, society and country.

As an individual in a caring society, it is hoped that this point of view will be of value. I am in many ways flawed and I accept any criticism with an open heart. I am hopeful that all of us will be a more effective society towards the issues happening around us.

Just my two cents.

*youths/young people - age group from 15-24 years old.