Sorting bins

Last weekend was really hectic..

I had 9.30 - 7 on Saturday and 9.30 - 3.30 on Sunday attending lectures..

Weekend lectures?

Yes, weekend lectures - unfortunately that is what being an independent student is like..

Okay, first off perhaps I should explain a bit the nature of my degree..

I am doing my 2nd year LLB (or as the University calls it - Finals Part I) in London. I am not however, linked directly to any universities. I am an external student of the University of London (which means my degree follows their structure and course material, exams are also set and marked by them and degree awarded by them) but other than that I do not attend any daily lectures and so on..

'Wow.. sounds like fun' - you say..

Yes, I'd hate to admit it but having not to attend daily lectures and worry about course work, assignments and prejudiced lecturers is really quite fun but as we all know it comes with a price - having to instill a lot of self-discipline..

Sadly, I am definitely no where near a 'disciplined' person (I try...... ) and yes, I am still trying.. but that is another matter..

The University of London (UOL) does however organise weekend lectures for those who choose to attend (and pay.. heh)..

The lectures are divided to 4 very crammed weekends and is optional..

Some UOL LLB students choose to attend daily lectures in specified colleges around the world (they get the same course material and everything but the local college provides additional guidance and so on..)

Exams are still set and marked by the UOL..

What is killing about the UOL external LLB is essentially the exams.. we have no course work or assignments so in essence, the quality of our degree is fully reflected by our examination marks..

Having explained that, back to the weekend courses..

The main asset of a lecture (as far as I am concerned) is the lecturer.. If the main asset is a bad asset I wouldn't think it would be capable of producing another good products (the students)..

That said, the UOL definitely have very good assets..

I have very rarely enjoyed classes back in school but I must say last weekend was great..

It was informative and productive.. the lecturers were dedicated, they understood what we wanted, what we needed and they delivered.. I am now much more informed and motivated..

To me, what is sad is thinking back on the state of our universities back in Malaysia..

Of course, I can't speak for all the lecturers and universities in Malaysia..

But the one I was in for a month told me a lot (lets not put names in case they decide to sue me for sedition)..

The lecturers were not motivated (coming in late, going out early, constantly avoiding questions they can't answer, lack of explanation, summarised notes with a lack of comprehensive reading material), they didn't do much case research (reflected very much by their incapability to pronounce case names correctly and also their incapability to distinguish parties in cases)..

Certainly there are a huge load of case law in every subject but being a lecturer and the particular case being a landmark case.. I would certainly have hoped that my lecturer would know more than what she did..

It is really a shame..

If only those lecturers had the chance to attend the weekend course like I did.. they would certainly be shamed to death..

What I pity the most are fellow friends who are still stuck in the public universities back home..

At least I got the chance to escape.. at least I get the chance to see that there are people who are actually dedicated to what they are doing.. People with motivation.. people who think..

Having been public schooled most of my life, I have no faith in it.. I know ex-classmates who are now training to be teachers (future educators to my children) and I have no faith in them either..

You see rotten students being pulled into the education sector simply because it pays fairly well and it is taken cared for by the government.. I just can't explain how horrible the full picture is.. it is a crumbling pyramid..

Yes, there have been a few really great teachers.. teachers whom I admire for having the dedication to stick with a failing system for the love of teaching.. but the numbers are falling drastically..

It is really not an ideal situation.. and I don't intend to be mugged into it any further than I already had..