Final Statement of the Malaysian Lasallian Educators’ Conference IV

8^th – 11^th June 2009

Living Lasallian Values in Education

Introduction

The Fourth Malaysian Lasallian Educators’ Conference (MaLEC IV) was held from the 8^th to 11^{th of} June 2009 in the Beverly Hotel Kota Kinabalu. otel H  It was attended by 81 Lasallian Educators made up of teachers, administrators, volunteers and Brothers involved in the Lasallian Educational Mission in Malaysia. This Conference is part of the on-going process of updating and formation of all Lasallian Educators to meet the changing realities of both the educational world and the needs of our students in Malaysia. The theme of the Conference was “Lasallian Values in Education: Challenges to the Youth in Malaysia”.

PART ONE

Our Journey Together as Lasallian Educators in Malaysia

The Organising Committee of the Conference therefore identified the following objectives:

1.         To reflect on how we can inculcate Lasallian values more effectively in the context of Malaysian Youth today;

2.         To strengthen in ourselves the core Lasallian values of Faith, Zeal for Service and Community for educational Mission to the young;

3.           To spread the Lasallian vision and mission to all the members of the Lasallian Family.

1.     From APLEC to MaLEC

Since MaLEC 2009 is a follow-up to the Asia-Pacific Lasallian Educators’ Conference (APLEC) in Hong Kong event in December 2008, we had the opportunity to begin with the sharing of the insights of three of the participants who represented the 17 who were there. They brought to our Conference their growth in knowledge as a result of the encounters with so many Lasallian Educators from the other countries in the Asia-Pacific. Their experiences of listening to the stories and sharing their insights on our Malaysian scenario in Hong Kong was indeed an experience of the true meaning of universality and diversity as the core of the Lasallian values in education.

2.     United in our Lasallian Educational Ethos

We set the framework to deepen our understanding of the meaning of Lasallian Values in Education by beginning with the realization that Lasallian Values in their essence have to be the fundamental responses of Lasallian Educators to both the changing realities of the world today and a deeper understanding of the real needs of the Young today.

We are deeply convinced that Lasallian Educational Ethos seeks to offer a holistic and integral and a human and spiritual education that has to be our priority today. The Educator in touch with the realities and needs of the students thus becomes a sensitive and relevant educator because of the transformation in the educators’ own lives.  Our Lasallian Educators’ Ethos can thus be the starting point to allow the Young to “paint new horizons” which is to see new meaning and hope in their lives.

3.     Our Common Understanding of Lasallian Education

Our dialogue and discussions in working groups brought to our awareness the importance and the characteristics of a Lasallian education.

It Is holistic and encompasses the moulding of the individual; academically, physically, socially and spiritually. Since human and spiritual formation involves our inner transformation, we need to adopt a reflective mode of life and the acquisition of skills in experiencing and understanding not just in knowing and acquiring information.

It calls for the imparting of a balanced education to our Young, although it is indeed a challenging task.  There are times we tend to get the mixture wrong but as our education system undergoes transformation, we need to form wholesome individuals. This calls for good teachers as described by John Baptist de La Salle, with wisdom, patience, reserve, gentleness, zeal and service.

It is more individualised and more child-centred. This is because of our belief that we exist to journey in a special way with the Young and thus every student matters. This ensures that our education becomes more personalised.

With these as our guiding principles, we therefore identified, our way forward as the Lasallian Family in Malaysia bearing in mind the five priorities that we identified. We are aware that we need constantly to define and redefine our approaches and focus and refocus on the following emerging priorities.

PART TWO

Moving forward as Lasallians in Malaysia

Our Priorities and Plans

These initial suggestions and proposals can be the basis for including other projects, programmes and activities. This can be part of our conscious and on-going dialogue within the Lasallian Family. We need to take these up in an organised and systematic manner for implementation at all levels. The responsibility for the implementation of these our programmes and activities seems possible with greater collaboration at various levels and with the identification of persons for them and the activation of all our existing structures and organisations.

This has to include the Council of the La Salle Brothers in Malaysia and the Malaysian Lasallian Education Council (MLEC), the Regional Lasallian Education Councils (RLEC), the Federation of Lasallian Alumni Associations, the Yayayan La Salle, the Signum Fidei at the National and Regional level, Their programmes  and activities will be coordinated by the La Salle Centre, Ipoh  so as to serve the needs of our Boards of Governors and Managers, our members of the Parents- Teachers Associations, our Administrators and Teachers and our Students.

1.     Our Identity as Lasallians in Malaysia

We are a community of diverse races and ethnic groups, religious and faith traditions aspiring for unity as Malaysians. This is rooted in our common understanding of the Spirit of Faith which helps us to see our work as God’s work. It is of utmost importance that we work with parents and the family in  moulding minds and touching hearts. Educators in the home and in our Educational Institutions have to be of one mind and one heart. Many of us from other religions and faith traditions by sharing our experiences have discovered more about the Lasallian ethos, traditions, characteristics and the Spirit of John Baptist de La Salle, who showed a special interest in the last, least and lost.

1.1     That we offer ample opportunities for inter-faith and inter-cultural events and that there be constant reflection-evaluation on these activities to explain their significance.

1)    Hold Grand march past (Inter-form) for sports day

2)    Welcoming guests of Honour with multi-cultural performances

3)    Promote La Salle Students unity programme: Hold sports carnival that will include friendly matches, tele-matches and games

4)    Introduce Youth leadership camps to give formation to the clubs and society leaders in our educational institutions

2.     Our Priority in our Educational Service

As Lasallians in Malaysia we see the need to give greater emphasis to the holistic and integral, human and spiritual formation of the Young with special attention for those who are weak and poor. The Lasallian family through it out-reach in its social services can create greater awareness about our social responsibility as Malaysians.  We can thus create a tolerant, caring society and thus promote mutual understanding among all our diverse communities. We see the important role Lasallian schools have played in fulfilling and promoting the aims of our national educational philosophy. We hope to continue this tradition of collaboration and cooperation.

Basically a Lasallian Educator “teaches minds, touches hearts and changes lives”. This is the Lasallian contribution to our nation, Malaysia.

2.1     That we need to develop well-prepared programmes to cater to the needs of the last, the least and the lost: These include, those with Learning Difficulties, from low socio-economic backgrounds, broken families and those in difficult circumstances in general.

1)    Training weak students to act as quarter-masters to give service during sports and other functions and form them responsibility.

2)    Foster Services to the Poor can include, Bread for the poor, Collect old school uniforms from School Leavers, offer Canteen Food Coupons and set up Donation Boxes.

3)    Introduce Students Adoption Programmes that will help teachers to adopt a few students, especially those facing problem by spending quality time with them.

4)    Study the feasibility of introducing Vocational and Technical Studies in our present school curriculum. Besides the six core subjects we can look at other possible electives for employment and livelihood.

5)    The older students, in Forms Four, Five and Six can help run tuition and revision classes for the weak students in the Lower Forms.

6)    For the children who have Learning Difficulties we can set up Learning Centres and include in our present Learning Centres, Field Trips, Exposure Programmes in keeping our ideals of a Lasallian Education.

2.2     That we preserve our Lasallian tradition of silence, universal prayer and reflection as part our formative process in our educational institutions. We can incorporate them:

1)    At regular school assemblies

2)    At the beginning of the first period.

3)    At the exam time

4)    For special intentions, occasions and events

2.3   That the Malaysian Area Council (MAC) and Malaysian Lasallian Education Council (MLEC) clarify our commitment to the existing 43 existing educational establishments and to clarify the nature of our relationship to the owners of, and the services we can offer, to our 12 Associate schools.

3.     Organic Unity of the Lasallian Family

The dynamism of the Lasallian Family in Malaysia is linked to a new partnership with Brothers, Parents, Board of Governors and Managers, PIBG and Alumni. This can be realized with a better communication and cooperation among the various component parts of the Malaysian Lasallian Education Council.

We also see the urgent need for greater dialogue with the Government on policies matters and issues pertaining to education. We hope that this will lead to greater commitment to addressing the problems faced by parents and the young.

Although we need work out details of the above we can begin to strengthen our links among our students, teachers and administrators. We need to also include other associates, who also believe in the Lasallian vision as our partners and collaborators in our educational mission.

3.1     That we foster closer relationships among the members of our Lasallian family.

1)    To place a sign at the entrance of the school that indicates our identity: (eg. St. Michael’s Institution (A member of the Lasallian Family)

2)    Inviting retired teachers to monthly reunions; to volunteer their services in Learning Centres, to act as Relief teachers, to help out in various formal and non-formal school programmes. In these ways they help to continue the Lasallian Legacy.

3)    To review and explain the administrative and formation structures of the Lasallian Family through the District and Malaysian Lasallian Websites.

4)    To make the Annual Reunion Dinner for past pupils more meaningful and relevant.

4.     On-going Formation of Lasallian Family members

4.1            That the Formation Team made up of Brothers and other Lasallians be available for ongoing formation programmes at the request of Lasallian Educational Centres.

1)    A Formation Programme to be outlined for students in the primary schools

2)    Strengthen Board of Governors-Managers, the PIBG and Alumni.

3)    Give input on La Salle and Lasallian tradition as part of Staff Development

4)    La Salle Centre, Ipoh to produce multimedia CD about Lasallian Values and objectives and prepare a common booklet about the Founder to be distributed to all Lasallian Educational Centres.

5)    Give orientation and Latihan Dalam Perkhidmatan (In-Service Training) for new teachers

1.     Organise inter-Lasallian school programmes such as dramas and plays which focus on La Salle’s life and Lasallian values and traditions.

2.     Lasallian Educators interaction programme for exposure to Lasallian culture and Lasallian values.

3.     The annual celebration of Founder’s Day/Week, with the emphasis on: 

1)    La Salle’s life, Lasallian tradition; inter-faith prayer and reflection; in tandem with Teachers’ Day; commemorative badge; competitions on Lasallian theme; Exhibition Corner on La Salle, etc

2)    Set up Heritage Room or let it be part of the library/resource centre.

3)    Promote correspondence among students at inter Lasallian school level on their understanding of the Lasallian Tradition.

4)    Orientation for new teachers and new students

5)    Information through posters along corridors and on notice boards

6)    Train teachers to explain Lasallian values through Civics and Moral Education

7)    Articles on achievements, functions and artefact that should be preserved.

5.2     That a team of Brothers and partners study further the concept of a Lasallian Heritage Centre and help our educational establishment to set up such centres and make resources available. This would be a way of starting a Lasallian Youth Movement at national level.