Home The Starting Point For Character Development Of Youths - Malaysian PM's Wife

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- The home is the starting point for the character development of youths as having a good parenting and family environment may lead them to possess good values, said Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister. She said early childhood education and care must be complemented by a home before further support from other parties. "This is further supported and strengthened by schools, communities, faith groups and the larger environment that we build around us. If one is surrounded by an environment that condones immoral acts, this can potentially jeopardise one’s ability to possess good values and morals to behave accordingly. "The two (values and morals) must be in synchronisation for good character to prevail," she said in her recorded speech for the "Caring Education in the 21st Century Symposium: Women's View" entitled "Inculcating Values in Today's Youth", here, Wednesday. The symposium was organised by the Miss Malaysia India Care Association (MMICARE Association) under the 'Gift Her with Life Fund' which supports mammograms and dialysis aid for women and scholarship for girls. Rosmah said schools and colleges also play a major role in this endeavour since parents expect these institutions to provide education and equip their children with knowledge and skills. "Discipline, particularly self-discipline, is a form of character building. However, teachers often refrain and are inhibited in disciplining students for fear of legal action from parents. "Hence, parents should not be overly protective in instances when their children need to be disciplined at school," she said. She said teachers and lecturers in schools and institutions need to embrace a universal values system that will help the young to move into adulthood equipped with sound values. The education system must look beyond traditional classroom pedagogical approaches to encompass explorative ability, she said. "Education must not only transmit knowledge but must develop the skills and behaviours that youths need when they assume roles in their respective societies. Education must provide a safe environment for youths to confidently express their views," she said. Rosmah said public and private institutions also have a big role in enabling an environment that strengthens good character and a values system. "What we build at home is what we will see in our communities. The work of building good character in our youth and building a sound values system in our communities is everyone’s responsibility. "We cannot turn a blind eye to things that are morally incorrect in our society. No matter our age, we each have the responsibility of voicing out that which is wrong," she said. -- BERNAMA