Voices of Students Matter More Than You Think.

Growing up as a Malaysian Student , I have experienced that my voice has been disrespected millions of times. Then again, you may ask what is so deserving of me that my voice should be heard? I mean I am noone big or influential enough to change the world. However for me,  I truly believe that every idea should be respected despite whatever the age it comes from. 

I have been told off by adults and educators that I am young , what the hell do I know about the world? I have been told what I should , shouldn't believe in and what I fight for was not greatly important because I am only 20 and alone, it is not enough to fix anything. However, nobody would ever question an adult's opinion just because they are adults. We on the other hand are considered naive and "too young to understand".

In our educational system, students opinions are often belittled. Most of the times, we -students have no say in what and how we learn things. We are just assume to absorb everything we learn, and are expected to somewhat change the world one day. No rooms for exploring new things outside classrooms or inventing a new formula for a math solution.Yet, even after realizing that this problem exist, educators are still using similar teaching techniques, generations after generations.

Remember when we were younger, we were more than excited to raise our hands and answer questions. However, as the grade levels are increased less students are raising their hands each year. We may be great in academics but today,(or should I call it professional copy and paste master, cause lets be real how many things do you actually remember after finals?) I have witness that University/ College level students are also afraid to raise their hands while being asked a question. So why does this happened ? Why are we afraid to answer? 

There are possibly 2 reasons. 

1) Students are no longer interested, so they do not pay attention. 

2) No longer have confidence in their own answer. 

WHY?

Because we are often told that we don't get it because we are only a bunch of teenagers ,we haven't achieve anything great in life, because we are young and we do not know much. This causes students to lose sight of their education value and eventually instead of expressing how they feel, they stopped learning without even realizing it.  They stop listening to themselves. 

One thing I never understood is the legalization to vote only when we are 21.
  Why not 18?

Is it because at 21 we are going to magically wake up to being recognised as adults and miraculously gain a set of "adult knowledge" to vote? I know people who are 17 and their political wisdom are far more knowledgeable compared to 25 year olds. Great knowledge on politics or any particular subject does not come with what age you are at.

Teenagers or young adults are known for their creative, or should I say "SILLY" ideas. Instead of laughing at them or before thinking that their opinion is simpleminded, educators should harness student's thoughts. We will never know these spontaneous ideas may help in certain complications. 

Before this, children do not think about many things, they were limitless and fearless to try new things. If we can harness the excitement of creating before we lose it, think of all the amazing ideas that could come out of those minds. When students acknowledge their voice matters, they will feel obligated to participate in anything.

I believe the education system will improve tremendously if educator start listening to their students opinions. Because when they do, students will comprehend that their education matters. Stop molding students into what you believe , let them think for themselves and let their mind explore out of the box. Don't force them to lose their creativity. 

I am writing this post on behalf of the students of Malaysia, and I am encouraging all students out there despite of age to not be afraid to voice out or to preach your ideas.

 Do not be afraid to believe in your beliefs or values. 

Speak up. 

Create and bring the next generation forward.

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers. To the ones who see things differently. They are not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify with them. But the only thing you CAN'T do is ignore them. Because they change things and while you see them as the crazy ones. We see geniuses, because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world , are the ones who do."
-Steve Jobs-

Till then, be fearless. 

PS: Educators* referring to parents and teachers. Also speaking in general terms.