Islamic shool

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Islamic School

Visit Time: 29/05/2008 1:51 AM

Remark:

Many Christian churches run Sunday school. Can the Muslims do likewise? After that being said, will the residents in Camden oppose a Wesley College or Trinity College be constructed on the proposed site? I don’t agree with those residents declaring the rejection of the school plan as a victory for "decency" (whatever it means). I consider that It as a “victory” of naivety and ignorance.

The Muslim community in Camden should not treat this as a matter of racism. It is just common human nature. Human beings are territorial and full of suspicion. People divide their countries into states and territories, suburbs, cities, and streets. Not many people welcome intrusion by outsiders. There are enough movies showing how human beings can be so easily frightened by landing of foreign (Martian) spacecraft on earth. Closer to earth, we don’t welcome foreigners coming within the territorial waters uninvited.

Literacy & numeracy problems

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Literacy & Numeracy Problems

Visit Time: 19/12/2007 12:51 AM

Remark:

Perfect means free from mistakes or faultless, and is numerically represented by 100%. However, VCE students who get perfect scores only achieve 99.95%. This is a definite proof that our school system is the cause of students’ literacy and numeracy problems!

Rudd's Education Revolution

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Rudd's Education Revolution

Visit Time: 5/12/2007 2:44 AM

Remark:

The views and concerns expressed by many interviewees about this education revolution are appropriate and true.

Even without a laptop computer or abacus, Kevin Rudd and his team should be able to work out how much the so-call education revolution will cost the taxpayers. For example, a laptop computer plus basic software worth $1,500 for 100,000 students from year 9 to year 12 in a year will cost a grand total one hundred and fifty million dollars ($150,000,000). Need I go further?

Is there any restriction on how many laptop computers can a student claim throughout year 9 to year 12? If there is none, the students will be able sell the computers and pocket a very healthy profit each year, since the computers do not cost any money to the students.

Computers are just tools, and will not make the students smart. I have been working in the computer field for over thirty-five years, and I don’t think I am super smart. As a teacher in many disciplines, I can conclude that the computers make it easier for students to plagiarise, and make them bad spellers because they rely completely on the spell checker.

Once the students have laptop computers, they will be able to access school Intranet or Internet web sites related to their study. Will they not use them to chat with their friends or strangers, visit what’s hot and pop web sites, play games and download songs and movies? They could be spending their time in doing something more productive instead.

There are a lot of other related unwilling expenses. The schools need to upgrade the computer network systems, the parents will have to pay for more expensive Internet plan, last but not least, the Rudd’s government will have spend more to introduce higher speed broadband than what originally intended.

When teachers put their blood, sweat and tears course / lecture notes on the Intranet, they are digging their own graves! Many students without the presence of teachers, including off-campus or online study students can use the material. This is one of the reasons how education institutions can replace their full-time staff by sessional teachers. TEACHERS BEWARE!

Kevin Rudd did not submit this education revolution promise to be costed by the Treasury before the election, and many voters thought this would not matter!

If we extend Kevin Rudd’s ideal further, students studying science subjects such as chemistry and physics may get a rebate for setting up laboratories at home in the future. Sweet dreams!

Over simplified funding promises

Name:        CHAN, Sin Fong

Subject:     Over simplified funding promises

Visit Time: 28/11/2007 12:11 AM

Remark:

Computer technology advances very fast – computer hardware and software upgrades occur far too often. Giving rebates to students on purchase of computers, and providing computers to schools will be more than one-off event within 3 years – a term in government.

Many wards in hospitals are closed because of nurse shortage. With more funding just for the nurses, the hospital system is going to experience a much bigger “headache”. More patients require more doctors, specialists, anaesthetists, etc. Are these medical professionals funded? Even with money where can the hospitals find additional suitably qualified doctors, who are already in short supply worldwide?

More patients also mean provision of more non-clinical services – cleaning, laundry, foodservice, utility, etc. These services lead to more staff, and additional on-cost. Were these costed?

I am very concerned about cost blow-outs, by the Rudd’s government, the schools and the hospitals.