Free Education?

While we moving forward many still lag behind at least intellectually when they expect the government to provide everything or if its not they are entitled to get subsidies including the education for their children which in the first place is their own responsibility. In view of the increasing living costs which have doubled if not more compared to ten years ago, it is understandable for parents to feel the heat particularly if they have more than one school going children.

Free education should not be misinterpreted as education devoid of any costs which is rationally and economically impossible nowadays. They should see those expenses as invaluable investment for the future - the well-being of their children. Many parents nowadays spoil their children by providing extravagant clothes, shoes, branded school bags and many other unnecessary things. Instead of buying much needed books they bought expensive clothing for their Year 1 children! Instead of preparing home cooked meals they rather give money which their children use to buy soft drinks and unhealthy snacks.

Instead of cultivating sense of responsibility and appreciation for what they get, children are being encouraged to show off their new and branded clothes, shoes and the likes. Children aren't properly educated of the value of those things thus taking them for granted. I am very fortunate to have parents who do not spoil me. I still remember during my primary school I was only given between 20 to 50 cents for my allowance. With that money I still managed to save a few cents. This practice continued through secondary school when I had just enough money to buy 1 bungkus of nasi lemak. I was told to bring my own drinks and sometimes my mom prepared me with home cooked meals. These all happened not in the village or remote area but in an area where money is very important.

I am not saying that the school fess should be extravagant but I view them as very necessary to cover some expenses which are not subsidised by the government such as sporting attire, school magazine and many more. The Minister has frequently stressed that the additional fees other than those stated in the fee packages announced not long ago are not compulsory for those who can't afford them. Therefore, if those parents in all sincerity cannot afford them they can provide evidences and proofs to support their inability. Very simple but many prefer to complicate things for the sake of getting free goodies.

It is mind boggling when rich parents who send their children to private schools demand that their children be given free textbooks. If they want free textbooks then enroll their children to government schools but no they don't trust the quality of those schools which impliedly means that they do not trust the government. So, why should they receive any assistance in the form of free textbooks? They are more than able to buy those textbooks as fees for private schools are very expensive, why the fuss over a meagre sum for the textbooks?

Malaysians are over subsidised!