The United Nations has a branch (Unesco) which addresses educational matters and provides statistics on each country that serve as a base for evaluating the level of education given to the children. One measure of education is the literacy rate. It is obtained by counting how many people in a country are able to read and write in at least one language.

A person is either literate or illiterate. There is no other choice, thus this statistic is very limited and provides little insight into the status of the educational system of a given country. Where the rate of literacy is said to be high, it is the educational system that gets the credit. And where it is low, the blame falls on the educational system.

The educational system is composed of classroom teachers, administrators and support staff. In every country, the teachers and administrators represent one of the largest groups in the country with university level training.

Education has become a large enterprise because the necessity to educate children requires a significant part of the national budget. Often the burden is such that a commitment to excellence in education requires difficult choices in the allocation of a country's resources. The educational budget in most countries is a threadbare one, and the educational ministry operates on a scratch-plate basis.

Teachers in advanced countries receive salaries that encourage the best minds to enter the profession. They must meet high educational standards before they are entrusted with the minds of the young, and they must demonstrate ability in stimulating and encouraging eager young minds. Teachers provide the atmosphere in the classroom in which education can take place.

Political motives

In Malaysia, a teacher has been suspended for what are widely perceived as political motives. He introduced into the curriculum an appraisal of the national judiciary system. This was felt by the political party in power to reflect on its style of government, even though the subject is one under international debate.

The effect on the general morale of Malaysia's teachers is thankfully negligible. It is seen as an over-reaction by the government ministers who are under severe criticism for a broad range of activities perceived as betrayal of their public trust.

In the areas of science and mathematics, it is the pursuit of truth which isthe important thing. And if a teacher concentrates on the reasoning which underlies the scientific method, the student is certain to be able to apply this reasoning power to other areas of life. It is important that teachers not allow themselves to be distracted by present nuisances.

There is much at stake in educating the present generation. If a means to arrive at the truth is taught, justice is sure to follow. These times call for prudence and courage. The teachers of Malaysia have both.

Education is too important to be politicised. The government has enough problems without creating a new one which it cannot resolve. All parents and teachers will naturally rally to the defence of the suspended teacher. Such a confrontation is avoidable.