QUESTION 1
Plagiarism. Definition,
“to use another person’s idea or part of their work and pretend that it is your
own”.
Recent study says, 54%
students have admitted to plagiarizing written material, 90% of them believe that
cheaters would not be caught and 47% students says that some of their tutors
chose to ignore those who cheats. Although this has become a growing concern
within our universities in Malaysia and also internationally, most feel powerless
to prevent nor to stop it.
Why does plagiarism arise
as an issue? Why do most students plagiarize? The main reasons would be is that
students have ready access to all information’s from the Internet itself. Nowadays
the race against time is crucial, students have been constantly searching for
any methods that are efficient in order for them to complete whatever
assignments and tasks provided to them by their tutors. The need to obtain good
marks is a must to most of the students. Therefore, in order for them to finish
the tasks fast without the need of thorough research but also getting good
marks for it, students plagiarized.
All is not to be blame on
students only nor the internet itself. The internet merely provides the sources,
it’s up to the student themselves on how they want to use it.
Tutors also play a vital
role to this. As reported from Net Learning one professor of San Luis Obispo
says,
“With respect to cheating, I’m just in denial. I just don’t
want to deal with it because I know it is a huge problem”
Taken from an article in
TechWeb News, a professor from Stanford University says,
“Who wants to sit around looking for websites trying to find
out if a paper is plagiarized or not…..”[1]
As statistic says at the
beginning, some tutors chose to ignore that their students plagiarized. But,
there are some tutors that would make a report upon catching their students
plagiarizing but then, the universities itself chose to ignore the complaint,
simply because they are not willing to spend the effort to get to the bottom of
the cheating cases.
How do we response to
plagiarism? There are several approaches.
·
To educate the students during their first year on
plagiarism, the consequences. Enhancing it by making the expectations clear to
students. To be a scholar, students will need to produce quality and research
thorough work rather than plagiarised. Because by doing that, then only we
learn what we are completing the assignment for.
·
Have the students be assured that the university has an academic
integrity to uphold and that they have the necessary tools to detect
plagiarism. For example to have the students submit assignment online so that
it will be subjected to plagiarism detection software. And if caught, marks
will be deducted.
·
To get experienced markers to assess batches of assignments.
By this way identifying plagiarism might be detected right away.
Plagiarism will always be
an issue, but with cooperation from all parties, this kind of culture can be
mitigated.
(510 words)
QUESTION 4
Goods and Service Tax are
proposed by the government in replace to our current Sales and Service tax. Basically
both GST and sales and service tax are consumption based. What this means is we
are taxed based on how much or on what we purchase. The difference between
these two are that sales and service tax are charged on certain classes of
goods locally manufactured or imported or as when a specific service are given
to a consumer, with GST, supply chains, or manufacturer until the retailer are
taxed. When a business is registered for GST, they can claim for the tax credit
on goods or services by netting off the charges that they pay through the price
paid by the consumer or the end user. However consumer cannot claim the tax
credit. But, GST also relies on the supplier of goods and services not only the
consumer.
It is reasonable to agree
on the implementation of GST in Malaysia. Because our country has been in a
fiscal deficit for quite some time. It is reported that it has ‘bloomed’ to at
7% more than our GDP. Sad to say that our national revenue could not cope with
our expenditure over the years. By
implementing GST the tax burden is spread over, it will increase the national
revenue rather than relying on income tax and petroleum tax alone. It is said
that these two taxes contributes 44.4% of our government revenue. GST proposed
to start at 4% will replace the 10 + 5% of Sales and Service Tax, therefore tax
is lower and the price of goods that currently includes SST is reduced. Tax,
when consumed rather than earned is better and unrecognisable. Therefore,
spending influences can be controlled
Implementation of GST will
not be squally and abrupt. GST will be a slow and steady implementation so that
it will not adversely affect individuals and small businesses.
But from the examples of
the rise of the GST, we can see the fall of it also. From the part for high
income earners the tax are not as expensive as for low income earners. The
government will need to propose the tax rate and exemption. Suitable tax rate
needs to be decided before GST implementation so it will not burden the poor.
Inflation is another
matter to be worried on. By GST, some products prices might general will go up.
As in order for the matter to not to occur, our government must weigh on all
the areas of pros and cons from the GST as well as to implement it at the
correct timing so that it will not increase burden on the people. The
government will need to consider on all other issues such as the above and also
on accountability and corruption.
It is suggested that to
ensure that proper auditing and revenue checking’s from GST, is to establish a
suitable and efficient system via documentation and computer is set up. Hiring
a designated and capable staff in handling such technologies and documentation
meticulously is compulsory so that the accounting of GST, when it is
implemented can go on without a hitch.
Silver lining of the GST
when implemented properly with all the necessary may be glitch is properly
investigated and studied, all good will be brought upon the country and society
itself.
And as for us end users or
consumers, it is necessary for us to educate ourselves on how GST will affect
us and our livelihood.
(580 words)
QUESTION 5
WELCOME TO SUNCARE NURSERY
AND DAY CARE CENTER!
Situated in a calm and
friendly neighbourhood in Alam Damai, Cheras, we are a growing facility
offering facilitation for babies, toddlers and pre-school children a homely and
caring environment.
Our premise has been fully
inspected by and is registered with JKM. They will ensure we keep our high
standards as care provider for our children.
Here in Suncare Nursery
and Day Care Center, we stimulate our child through play experience. We will
arrange random activities for all the children within groups, indoors or
outdoors based on what our children’s needs or which activity that they are
interested in. From here they will develop learning skills on communication and
literacy, personal and social development, problem solving, knowledge and understanding
the world, developing them physically and their creativity with the help of our
experienced and qualified care giver.
Facilities
Baby rooms (0 – 18 months)
A warm, fuzzy room
especially for our little treasure. Here they can play safely and will help
them feel at ease. We also provide an area with baby cot, just for them tiny
tots to have a good rest. This room can cater up to 10 sweet ones and they will
be cared by a designated care giver, for which allowing them to build up a
secure bond.
Toddlers (18 months – 3
years)
This room provides our
toddlers the opportunity to play and learn with their friends. The room is
equipped with safe toys and other items for our toddlers to enjoy and have fun.
The areas in the room are planned and equipped to our child’s interest. Also,
there will be a designated care giver to always ensure that they are monitored
and care for responsibly.
Before and After Club (Day
care for pre-school children)
For children that are sent
here after their preschool hours, this room has a large main area and mini
library. Equipped with selection of toys and learning material suitable for our
child to explore and learn. We also provide computers with educational and fun
games for them to learn. Also, our child will always be responsibly monitored
by a designated care giver.
Food and Drink
The most important part
for our child’s growth, here in Suncare, we provide only the best nutritional
meal and we stress on giving our children a healthy diet. For babies, we
encourage parents to readily bring a clean feeding bottle and powdered milk.
We strongly promote
hygiene in our work. When preparing food for our children, our staff will wear
apron and disposable gloves. We also encourage the children to wash their hands
before and after eating. Should parents brought their own food from home for
their child, it will labelled and put in a refrigerator and will be heated
thoroughly before serving.
Nursery hours and fees
We are open 6 days week
from 7.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m.
Babies – RM300
Toddlers – RM200
Day care – RM150
We are always available
and at service for you. We can be contacted at:
Suncare Nursery and
Daycare Center
No.10, Jalan 2, Alam Damai
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone : 03-9288 8788
Fax : 03-9288 8787
(522 words)
QUESTION 7
There are several types of
driving licence that can be issued out. These licenses are issued based on the
use of the licenses. Examples are Learning Driving Licence, Probationary
Driving Licence, Competence Driving Licence and Vocational Driving Licence.
But before these licences
are issued out, candidates must fulfil the needed conditions set up by the
Malaysian JPJ. First off, candidates must have attended a 5 hours theory
course. This course will teach the candidates on prudent driving and all the
basic guide to driving a vehicle. This theory course will teach candidates the
conscience, responsibility and willingness to comply with traffic laws. It also
teaches on how to improve efficiency of controlling a vehicle on the road.
After the theory course, candidates will be issued a JPJL2A Certificate of
Attendance.
After the theory course is
completed, candidates must undergo and pass the Part 1 Computerized theory
test. This test can be taken within one year form the date of application for
driver’s licence. The passing mark is 42 over 50.
After having completed the
theory course and the Part 1 Computerized Theory test, candidates must undergo
a 6 hours practical training on the training driving circuit and with that,
candidates will be issued with JPJLB, a Learner’s Driving Licence. But, with
having this ‘L’ licence there are a few conditions that must be complied with.
Candidates must not drive a vehicle with passengers or any kind of loads.
Candidates must always be supervised by a driving instructor with a valid
instructor’s certificate when driving a vehicle. Most importantly, the vehicle
that is driven by a candidate with the ‘L’ licence must always show the
identification sign “L”.
Having completed the 16
hours circuit training and the computerized theory test, candidates must
undergo practical tests. These practical tests are divided into two parts. The
first part, the candidate will have to undergo a practical driving test that
consists of 3 manoeuvring skills. That is hill climb manoeuvres, in turn car
parking manoeuvres and three pronged manoeuvres. The second part of the
practical theory test is to have the candidates to drive on the actual road
with supervision of a JPJ examiner.
The results of these tests
are given straight away right after the practical test. For candidates that
failed in either one of the above tests must wait for a period of one week in
order for them to take their second test. After completing and passing all of
the above, candidates shall be issued Probationary Driving Licence. By having
this licence, candidates shall be under probation for 2 years before they are
issued out the Competence Driving Licence. During the 2 year period, candidates
must always carry their ‘P’ licence with them when driving. Alongside that, the
vehicle that they are driving must have the plat ‘P’ displayed on the front and
back of the vehicle. They also must ensure that their alcohol level in their
blood, breath and urine are at 0.00 level. Should they disobey any traffic law
they shall be penalised with a demerit point. Any demerit points collected at
10 points, their ‘P’ licence will be terminated or cancelled by the JPJ
Director.
After completing the 2
year probationer licence, candidates can now apply for their Competence Driving
licence by attaching the original ‘P’ licence, one piece of own latest picture
and a chargeable fee depending on how many years that the candidate might want
to apply for the said licence. The new Competence Driving licence can be
applied for a period of 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 years.
(594 words)
BIBILIOGRAPHY
Nursery promotion accessed
from bumblebeesltd.co.uk on 28th June, 2012
REFERENCES
Plagiarism and it’s issues, viewed at www.plagiarism.org/plag_facts.html
accessed on 19th June 2012.
Harris, K-L., Krause, K.,
Gleeson, D., Peat, M., Taylor, C. & Garnett, R. (2007). Enhancing Assessment in the Biological
Sciences : Ideas and Resources for university educators.
Malaysian Driving Licence viewed at www.jpj.my/Malaysian_Driving_Licence.htm
accessed on 27th June, 2012
Buku Kurikulum Pendidikan Pemandu, 3rd Edition,
December 2010
GST for the layperson Part 4 (Final) viewed at
theblackcactus.wordpress.com accessed on 25th June, 2012
Should GST be implemented in Malaysia viewed at www.nbc.com.my accessed on 27th
June, 2012
Malaysian Goods and
Service Tax, GST Impact on Consumer. Accessed
from http://www.gst.customs.gov.my/portal/page/portal/MYGSET/SubTopicDetailPage?_piref255_1040729_255_1040710_1040710.__ora_navig=nodeId=94
on 27th
June, 2012
[1] Plagiarism.org (2005).
iParadigms, LLC. Screens 3-4. 21 December 2005 (http://www.plagiarism.org/plagiarism_stats.html)
