LOS TEROPONG: Lecturers still retire at 56 ..

Hmmm .... Looks like Malaysian lecturers will still retire on one's 56th birthday. Today's daily, The STAR (4 May, 2006) repoted the Deputy Higher Education Minister, Datuk Ong Tee Kiat, as saying that the official retirement age for university lecturers will not be extended. They will still retire at 56 but can continue to serve on a contractual basis for a maximum of 10 years. Further, he said that, “There is still a shortage of professors in critical areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and engineering which require broad experience,” he said during the question session. He said the current scheme was flexible to allow promotions based on merit. Aiyaa .. looks like things WILL NEVER change ... sigh ....

Macamnilah ... The whole game plan is flawed!! Taking into account the politics, the inconsistencies of human nature and the habits of humans as a whole, when you have to retire at 56, you will already be thinking about retirement a few years before that. Perhaps 55, and I have a friend who is only 50 and already thinking aboout retirement. They are thinking about relocating to settle down after that, what to do after that, how to survive after that and so on .... They are 'done' so to speak and some will not want to carry major responsibilities in the office or universities because they are going to retire in a few years time. In essence, they are ALREADY WINDING DOWN!! True??

Ok, now supposing they are successful at getting an extension, on a yearly basis ... there is no guarantee that they will extended after that. The vicious circle repeats itself. They are again not going to bother doing anything 'innovative' because they feel they are only there for year. Next year is another story. Even Acting Deans don't want to do much because they are just kind of 'standing in' until that fellow comes back. The scenario goes into a loop until he or she retires for good. There is no security. They may even leave if another golden opportunity comes along. This has happened ALL THESE YEARS !! Why can't we learn from the experience. We talk about the need for human capital, intellectuals, and we can't even keep those lecturers and teachers .. and then complain of the lack of teachers and lecturers!! This is absolutely amazing.

On the one hand we talk about shortages of Professors, not only in critical areas ..ALL areas. Even Professors in whatever need to be taught by lectures in whatever!! They don't grow on trees. I say, don't talk much ... if there is no one to pick up your rubbish, we are all in deep shit!! So everyone is CRITICAL. One small missing piece of a puzzle will render the puzzle INCOMPLETE. We talk about an education revolution, hmmmm .... talk is cheap ... Aiyaa, tak tau lah ...

LOS TEROPONG

Los Teropong (Teropong means binoculars) comments on current issues in Malaysia, and sometimes the world, and put forth another opinion and perspective. BY THE WAY - THEY HUNG THE WRONG GUY ...