RMK 10: Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak Boleh Berjaya

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I spend my evening analysing:

  • No Child Left Behind (US, 2001);
  • Every Child Matter (UK, 2003);
  • Getting it Right for Every Child (Scotland, 2008); and,
  • Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak Boleh Berjaya (Malaysia, 2011).

Why do I spend my evening analysing the above bills?
Basically, at my first glance, all of the above bills sound alike. Though all sound pretty much the same, my first thought is that the Malaysian bill, 'Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak Boleh Berjaya' is closely initiated after the Every Child Matters because if the Every Child Matters is to be translated to Malay, it will end up something like 'Mengambil Kisah Setiap Kanak-kanak'. Ok. Itu pelik. But still, Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak boleh Berjaya and Mengambil Kisah setiap Kanak-kanak, they sound the same kan?  


But instead, I was half wrong and half right.

The 'Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak Boleh Berjaya' emphasises on (based on my own interpretation):
  1. Setting a same target for all students despite of their social background and geographical location.
  2. Providing supports for students especially for those who are in poverty. 
Careful reading on the Malaysian bill makes me believe that the bill is somewhat a blend of the No Child Left Behind and the Every Child Matters.

First is setting a same target for all. In the No Child Left Behind, the US government agrees on creating common expectations on their students despite of their background and such. 

Meanwhile, the second which is to provide supports for students is somehow related to the Every Child Matters. One of the reason is, in the Memastikan Setiap Kanak-kanak Boleh Berjaya under the heading of Penyediaan Asas Pendidikan yang Kukuh kepada Lebih Ramai Kanak-kanak there is a program for children named as PERMATA. For me, the program is quite similar to Sure Start Children's Centres introduced in the Every Child Matters. 

Clap. Clap. Clap ;)

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