EBook PGT437E

Diary

PGT 437E
GENERAL SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATION

Cheng Chung Sing
142816

Grace
Wilson

UNIQUE COURSE
INTRODUCTION

27-10-2021 "One parent had sent his child to the
Wednesday school. However, the girl chose to leave
the school after her father left. She
It's the first day of PGT 437E. followed her boyfriend and went
somewhere else. They met an accident.
The lecturer seems very strict when she Who should take this responsibility?"
strongly emphasized the punctuality to
enter the meeting room. I am looking forward to this answer and
other more similar cases.
Whatever, I began to look forward to this
course when the lecturer explain what Also there is a student very interested in
will we learn in this course. Especially this course, and he said he is
when she talked about the cases we recommended by his senior.
may face in the future.
Hope we will have interesting and fruitful
lessons afterward!

01

BUREAUCRACY &
HIERARCHY

03-11-2021
Wednesday

Today's lesson is about bureaucracy and

hierarchy. Dr explained the education

system from different dimensions, showed

some related data, and then brought us to

the hierarchy and bureaucracy. The

dimensions include Individualism vs

collectivism, power distance, masculinity vs

femininity, and uncertainty avoidance.

Dr also shared the way the teachers in
Finland teach their students. It is a topic-
based lesson. Take tsunami as an example,
the teacher will teach geography,
language, science, and mathematics in the
lesson. It is quite interesting to me. Dr also
commented that the Malaysian students
take too many subjects in SPM.

In the next half of the lesson, I recalled that I
had heard about bureaucracy in the History
textbook when I am a secondary student.
What hierarchy attracts me is no unit is left
uncontrolled in the organisation. However,
as I have learnt before, hierarchy actually
leads to low freedom on decision making,
less productivity, miscommunication, less
space for extra efforts on their jobs.

It's interesting also when we discuss this
topic actively with Dr.

02

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
LEADERSHIP

10-11-2021 From this lecture, I understand more
Wednesday about leadership. Besides the ability on
working and distributing works, a
Today's lecture is about the school principal should show a good role model,
principal. The principal should be with a caring heart towards the teachers
approachable, versatile, responsible, can and students.
lead others, and so on. We also discuss
leadership with influence, values, and I also recalled the principal in my Form 6
vision. school. Honestly saying, the physical
condition and study environment in that
What inspired me in this lecture is the school are much lower than my previous
examples given by the lecturer. For school. However, the principal there just
example, from the video given before retired and another one came. The new
the lecture, the principal really deserves principal is a very powerful person. I
the award as she really leads the remembered that he is very energetic in
teachers, thinks of the students' benefits, every speaking and motivational talk. He
explores their potential. In the end, she set a five-year vision for our school and
manages to transform the school to a motivate everyone to achieve it
higher standard. together. The physical environment there
became prettier and brighter. Everything
It really inspired me when the lecturer goes a better way but the principal was
shared about the principal who patrols just able to stay for two years and he
around the school when he is free, enters had been transferred to another school
the class without a teacher, and doesn't for some certain reason. It is quite sad
scold the teacher in front of the but I believe that if he can stay longer,
students. the school will definitely be transformed
into a very outstanding school.

03

CURRICULUM
MANAGEMENT

17-11-2021
Wednesday

Before entering class today, we have
watched a YouTube video about a day
of students in China. In the video they
spent almost the whole day in school,
including a little time for rest, having fun,
or exercising.

Some of my coursemates point out that What impressed me is when one of the
those students are so stressed and students mentioned the teacher still using the
discipline in their studies. I agree with it traditional method - chalk and talk in the
but since the population in China is so teaching process, our lecturer can't agree that
big and the people are so competitive, I it is bad, since the method is still effective.
think this situation is actually Memorization is also been emphasized in their
unavoidable. learning culture especially in the language
class.

We have also learned curriculum management
in Malaysia, which is the centralized top-down
approach. It begins with planning and
research division, followed by curriculum
committees, from the central committee to
the school committee, and lastly the subject
matter panitia. Same with the hierarchy
system, this approach also has a 'filtering
process'. I am quite interested in the issue
lecturer talked about, which is that ketua
panitia may play a more important role in the
teachers' quality than the principal.

04

FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT

24-11-2021 | Wednesday

Today we have an invited speaker for our lecture, which is Santhana Mary, with more
than 20 years of experience in financial management. She had just retired 2-3 years
ago. Since she is very experienced, the lecture is very fruitful.
She kept emphasizing that the record should be done well from time to time. It brings
lots of benefits includes understanding the actual status of account, having control in
the expenditure, and so on.

She also shared some procedures or keywords to us. For example, she explained to us
about all fees collected from the students should get prior approvement from the
educational department, the definition of government fund, private fund and petty
cash, the teachers can't force the students to reach the target in Jogathan and so on.
At the second part of the lecture, she explained about the civil for misconduct and
wrong doings.
I am so grateful to have this opportunity to learn these things before I become a teacher
officially. The sharing session really reminds me to be more aware of the spending of
money and the behaviour of my job.

05

We are asked to watch a video of a 6 DIMENSIONS
demonstration of PLC. In the video, in the 1. Shared and supportive leadership
preparation part, the group of teachers
discussed in detail the methods to teach 2. Shared values & vision
a lesson. One of the teachers took 3. Collective learning & application
charge to conduct the lesson whereas 4. Shared personal practice
the other teachers attend and observe it. 5. Supportive conditions (structure)
In the end, they discuss again if the lesson 6. Supportive conditions (relationships)
achieves its purpose and how to improve
it. Three Big Ideas
1. Ensuring that students learn
Through the lesson, I strongly feel that
2. Building a culture of collaboration
collaboration is not only important when 3. A focus on students' outcome

we are students but also important when PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING
we are teachers. In PLC, teachers are COMMUNITY
(PLC)
supported by a team from the
1-12-2021 | Wednesday

preparation stages. They can share their

opinions and experience in a safe place,

where everyone helps and supports each

other. They share a common goal which is

improving instruction and student PLC Framework
Plan
learning.

I am very interesting and look forward to Act Students; Do
PLC in my future work, where I can share Learning
experience and teaching methods with Outcome
supportive others. However, I can imagine
that this is difficult to be conducted since Check
everyone has their own jobs and hard to
spend the time to participate in it.

06

The Federal
Inspectorate:
Functions
and roles

08 - 12 -2021 This is important to control the quality of
the schools as well as to provide reliable
Wednesday data for the government to make a better
policies.
It's a lecture in Malay today. We are lucky to
have Dr Khor Mui Kim, a Nazir Kanan as our Dr Khor had shared her experience when
speaker. I think I have heard about Nazir visiting to schools, including nazir's job
before but I never know what or who is that. scopes, how they conduct the observation,
Hence, it is a really interesting and fruitful what would they observe, challenges, and
lecture for me. I am able to get to know this so on. She had also shared about the
important career in our educational system. importance of producing a good report.

Jemaah Nazir holds the visi "Memacu In addition, she had shared the quality of a
Standart Kualiti Pendidikan Negara" and school, the roles of a teacher, and the roles
works as a detector, comparator and of a student in the teaching and learning
activator. Basically, they will be required by process. She also suggests some examples
the government to collect some data with she will give to a teacher who teaches
respect to some policies. Hence they will students who always sleep in the class. In
select some schools (with some other the end, it is interesting that some of us
considerations) to be investigated. After may be interested in a be Nazir in the
that, they will give some advice or future! Hope this system can be maintained
suggestions to the schools and make a to help to increase the quality of the
report. current educational system.

07

Management of
Students Affairs

15 - 12 -2021 In the lecture, Dr had shared her students'
experience that there are students selling
Wednesday bicycles in the classroom when the teacher
in front is still teaching. Those bicycles are
Management of student affairs led by the even been stolen by them. Hence, we as
principal and PK HEM is an important teachers should always be able to control
organization in a school. It provides a safe our emotion and take appropriate action.
platform for the students to develop their
leadership, independence, personality, and Dr also reminded us to be careful of the
attitudes. From this lecture, I am also more punishment taken to the students. There is
aware of the students' welfare part, which only canning allowed as physical
includes the counseling, scholarship, punishment, and female students are
textbook loan, canteen, and so on. exempted from this. She emphasize that
even pinching is not allowed. Also, we can't
The lecture discussed discipline more. We simply can the students, but have to report
learn the offense by their class. Heavy the misconduct to the discipline teachers
offense include misconducts involve drug, and they will take the action. All details of
tobacco, liquor, weapon, gambling, punishment, including the misconduct, the
explosives and pornography. Moderate number of strokes and the signature from
offense includes cheat and outrageous the teacher. This really strikes me because I
whereas light offense includes only attire always thought that any light physical
and some naughty matters. punishment is allowed.

08

Safety Management

In terms of safety management, from the

lecture, I summarized that education about

different accidents should be given from

time to time in order to increase

awareness. The facilities should always be

checked and maintained. Teachers should

also always put attention when the

students are doing something risky. 3

general themes in safety management

include consistent management

commitment, communication, and

involvement.

29 - 12 -2021 I am able to get to know several programs
carried out in school for safety issues,
Wednesday which include Program Bersepadu Sekolah
Sihat (PBBS), 3K Program, Occupational
When we talk about safety management in Safety and Health (OSHA), Sekolah
school, I always think that a school is a safe Selamat program, and so on.
place, at least in Malaysia, hence it is a very
easy job. However, today Dr showed us a The government in Malaysia also provides
lot of news about the safety issues in dental, health, and environmental health to
schools in Malaysia then I just realized it is schools. Medical examination, dental
also a serious issue. I also always think that, examination, immunization had been
for safety issues, what we should put provided to the students freely.
attention to is fire incidents and the safety
in laboratories only. However, today we In the end, we should understand that
have learned about safety management safety issues is the responsibilities of
from different areas including health everyone, including teachers, students,
management, food poisoning, facilities, parents and community.
road accidents, and so on. It also hits me
that Japan does a lot in the preparation of
various disasters, including landscape, flash
flood, storm, earthquake, and so on. So far
Malaysia is free of earthquakes, but I think
education for other disasters is also suitable
and should be carried out in Malaysia.

09

Educational Law
In Loco Parentis

05 - 01 -2021 What I am very interested in is the
prosecution for negligence part. It makes
Wednesday me more understanding about how a
teacher will be considered as negligence.
It's a video lecture today, and it is the First of all, a duty of care exists when the
lecture I await from the beginning of this loss of injury can be reasonably
course, which is about the education law, or foreseeable. Second, there is a close and
more specifically the responsibility of a direct connection between the plaintiff
teacher in taking care of the students. and the defendant. Besides, a duty of care
exists when it is fair and reasonable to say
At the very beginning of the lecture, some that it exists.
news about how teachers have been
embroiled in the court case is shown to us. I As a teacher, we should not expose
am shocked when I heard the news about a students to dangerous situations. If the
child who died after being canned by his situation is dangerous or risky, for example,
teacher. I am also shocked that there is the students are going to do experiments
someone using her high heels to knock her or sports activities, the teachers should give
students. adequate instructions to the students.
Precautions should also be noticed to them
The lecturer told us that we as teachers before the activity starts.
actually take the role and responsibility as
'good and reasonable parents'. Teachers For a simple conclusion to myself, I should
have to take appropriate steps to ensure always be aware of the situations around
the safety of students. This is a must since me. Take good care of the students
the education act already forces parents to especially when they are going to do
send their children to school. This lesson is something risky. Treat them as our own
quite similar to the previous lesson which is children and make sure they are safe as
safety management, but go deeper into the possible as we can.
responsibility of teachers.

10

Human Resource Management
in Educational Organization

12 - 01 -2021 I am also able to understand more about
the grading system and the promotion of
Wednesday teachers. It gives me a clearer idea of my
future job, so I can have a better plan and
It's a video lecture about human resources target for the future.
(HR) today. HR is the personnel of a
business or organization, regarded as a I can see that to increase the effectiveness
significant asset in terms of skills and
abilities. The HR management unit is a of staff, hygiene factors (salary, job
department of a business or organization
that deals with the hiring, administration, security, working conditions) and motivator
and training of staff.
factors (achievement, growth
HR management includes analyzing and
designing the job, recruiting and selecting opportunities, responsibility) have to be
candidates, training, developing, rewarding,
and evaluating employees. In terms of the considered. Goal-Setting theory also
Malaysian government, administrative and
financial concerns are the responsibility of states that we should consider goal
the ministry level.
difficulty, specificity, acceptance, and

feedback when we manage HR.

I am also getting to know some issues in
the workplace, especially the mismatched
supply problem. Sexual harassment issues
is also been discussed in the lecture.
Hence, I would like to prepare for this first
before entering the workplace.

11

Co-curriculum Dr agreed with this situation in the co-
Activities curriculum, and remind us to be a
responsible teacher. Try to help the
19 - 01 -2021 students to learn even if we are not
experienced. Ask help from the outsiders,
Wednesday and learn along.

Today's topic is Co-curriculum activities. Dr In the lecture, I have a better
let us share our experience at the beginning
of the lecture. There is a student who understanding of the co-curriculum. Co-
opened the mic and said that he doesn't
really like co-curriculum since he thinks that curriculum aims to build a balanced and
it is useless. The teacher didn't really guide
them so he didn't really learn things. holistic development including intellectual,
Another student gave her experience or
opinion that co-curriculum taught her to be spiritual, emotional, and physical
disciplined.
development. It complements the
I am also very active in the co-curriculum in
my secondary school before. Same as these curriculum. I am able to understand that
two students who share their experience in
class, I learn discipline, holding events, and the goals of co-curricular activities include
marching especially in my uniform units.
However, besides that, there are not many building discipline but are not limited to it.
other things. For example, at my time, there
are few chess club meetings but only We as teachers should also help balance
training among the students, before the
competition. For other clubs I join, there are several developments, strengthen
almost simply games only in every meeting.
communication, build interests and talents,

and so on.

The principal should lead the teachers to
plan, organize, staff, lead and control the
co-curricular activities in order to build
holistic development in students. We should
always remember that every student has
their own interests and abilities that can be
developed and strengthen. Hope that I can
lead it well if I have a chance in the future.

12

School Administration:
Case Studies

26 - 01 -2021
Wednesday

Today we have an invited lecturer, Dr Shirley
as our last lecture speaker. We have been
given a video about her speech or sharing
before but today when I saw her, really think
that she is a very kind principal. She is a very
experienced cheerful retired principal.

She had talked about her journey after
graduating. She shared that she was young
but had been asked to handle the naughty
classes, how she been promoted as the
ketua guru disiplin, and after that, the
principal.

She also shared her experience when she is
a ketua disiplin, that she tried to build
relationships with the students through
basketball, and hardly learn Hakka to show
humility to meet the parents.

She also shared her experience in teaching
HOTS questions in weaker classes, that we
have to break the activities into more steps
to provide space for them to think, and give
more guidance to them.

Her sharing encourage me to face my
future potential challenges.

13