Progress Over Finality
Progress is at the heart of the scientific method. The idea that no knowledge or system is ever truly complete or final encourages constant improvement and innovation.

Continuous Learning: Embracing the notion that learning and growth are lifelong processes helps individuals remain open to new knowledge and evolving perspectives. In a fast-changing world, adaptability is crucial for personal and professional success.
Avoiding Dogma: Finality or dogmatic thinking stifles progress. Scientific-minded individuals understand that change and innovation often come from challenging established ideas and striving for improvement.

Truth-Seeking Over Dogma
A scientific mindset values truth-seeking through questioning, exploration, and experimentation rather than accepting dogma or rigid belief systems. This principle enables individuals to remain open to new information and avoid blind adherence to outdated ideas.

Exploration and Inquiry: Truth-seeking involves being curious and willing to explore different viewpoints. It requires individuals to remain flexible and adaptable, recognizing that truth is often nuanced and complex.
Resisting Indoctrination: Avoiding the imposition of rigid ideologies—whether political, religious, or cultural—is essential for maintaining intellectual freedom. True scientific-mindedness thrives in environments where ideas are tested, questioned, and refined, not imposed unchallenged.

Challenging Ideas for Real Progress
Science is not about protecting established ideas but about challenging them to find more accurate answers and better solutions.

Questioning Assumptions: Progress in science and society comes from testing assumptions, exploring contradictions, and finding better explanations. Individuals should cultivate a habit of questioning not only others’ ideas but also their own, ensuring they remain open to improvement and correction.
Constructive Debate: Challenging ideas should not be seen as an attack on individuals but rather as an opportunity for learning and refinement. A society where debate is encouraged leads to intellectual and societal growth.

Avoiding Claims of Absolute Certainty
True scientific thinking recognizes that no theory or belief is ever absolutely certain. While science can rule out false claims with high certainty, it refrains from claiming complete knowledge.

Openness to New Evidence: Scientific-minded individuals are always open to new data that could refine or overturn previous knowledge. Flexibility in thinking is a hallmark of intellectual integrity and progress.
Recognizing Limitations: It is essential to acknowledge the limits of our knowledge and understanding, allowing room for future discoveries. Science constantly evolves, and individuals who are aware of its provisional nature are better equipped to handle uncertainty in life.

Instilling Critical Thinking in Education
Schools have a legal and moral responsibility to instill scientific-mindedness in young children. Education should prioritize evidence-based reasoning, critical thinking, and a commitment to progress, preparing students for the challenges of the modern world.

Mindset for the Future: Education systems must foster an approach where students value evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma. Schools have an obligation to teach students to think critically and independently, equipping them to contribute positively to society.
Guarding Against Indoctrination: Schools must avoid indoctrinating children with rigid belief systems and instead encourage intellectual freedom and exploration. This protects students from dogma and equips them with the tools necessary for lifelong learning and adaptability.

Responsibility to Society
Scientific-mindedness goes beyond personal benefit—it has a social responsibility. The pursuit of truth, innovation, and evidence-based solutions plays a key role in solving the world’s biggest challenges, from climate change to public health.

Contribution to Progress: By valuing evidence, truth, and progress, individuals contribute to the collective advancement of society. Embracing scientific-mindedness in civic life helps foster informed discourse, better policymaking, and more sustainable futures.
Empowering Future Generations: Cultivating a culture that values scientific thinking ensures that future generations are equipped to face challenges with reason and intelligence, rather than superstition or dogma.

Resisting Misinformation and Polarization
In an era of misinformation and increasing polarization, scientific-mindedness serves as a defense against the manipulation of facts and public opinion.

Evaluating Sources: Individuals must learn to critically assess the reliability of information sources, especially in an age of social media where false claims can spread rapidly.
Promoting Constructive Dialogue: Scientific-minded individuals engage in fact-based, rational discussions rather than emotionally charged, divisive debates. This helps reduce polarization and promotes a more cooperative, understanding society.

Ethics in Scientific Progress
Scientific-mindedness also involves an ethical responsibility, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge and progress does not harm society or the environment.

Sustainability: Innovation and progress must be pursued in ways that protect the planet and future generations. A scientific-minded approach balances technological advancement with environmental stewardship.
Social Justice: Science and technology should be used to address inequality, improve living standards, and ensure that progress benefits all members of society, not just a privileged few.

Embracing Scientific-Mindedness for the Modern Era : The principles of scientific-mindedness—evidence over belief, progress over finality, truth-seeking over dogma, challenging ideas for real progress, and avoiding absolute certainty—are essential for individuals to thrive in today’s complex and rapidly evolving world. Schools, as key societal institutions, have a legal obligation to instill these values in young children, ensuring that future generations are equipped to handle the challenges of the modern world with critical thinking, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

By embracing these principles, individuals can contribute positively to society, resist the spread of misinformation, and foster a culture of progress, ethical responsibility, and sustainability. In the current era, scientific-mindedness is not just a personal virtue but a social necessity.

By law, schools are entrusted with preparing students for life in the IR 4.0 society, which requires instilling the ability to assess facts, question assumptions, and think independently.

We need more teachers who are capable of teaching our students to value evidence, seek truth, and embrace progress,. Our schools must contribute to the creation of informed, capable Sarawakians who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. Failing to do so not only undermines individual potential but also risks societal stagnation and vulnerability to misinformation. Therefore, our schools must fulfill their legal and moral duty to shape the minds of the next generation for the betterment of all.

Yup, we have managed to convince Abang Jo to reject many jobless badly-trained (by our standard) teachers from peninsular recently. We Sarawakians want to chart our own path in education - coaching our young generation right from the very tender age

Education- let's get done right - and by the right person: Schools have a legal obligation to instill the right mindset and values in young children because the education system plays a crucial role in shaping not only the future of individuals but also the future of society. Instilling values such as evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma is essential to fostering a generation that is capable of critical thinking, innovation, and active participation in an informed society.

Education- get done right- by the right person - Critical Thinking as an Indispensible Fundamental Skill : Schools have a legal obligation to teach critical thinking, which is based on evaluating evidence rather than accepting beliefs at face value. In modern societies, critical thinking is a foundational skill for participation in every aspect of life, from the workforce to citizenship

Education in Sarawak - Moving to world class: Many legal frameworks explicitly prohibit indoctrination in schools, whether religious, political, or ideological. For example, the European Convention on Human Rights protects students from religious or ideological imposition, emphasizing that education should be pluralistic and open-minded. Schools must teach children how to think, not what to think, encouraging exploration and the questioning of ideas rather than acceptance of dogma.

By law, schools are tasked with preparing students for the challenges of the future, which requires promoting a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to progress. Societies stagnate when their citizens cling to outdated ideas and resist change, which is why schools have a legal responsibility to instill values that encourage constant re-evaluation of ideas and systems.

These legal precedents affirm that schools must do more than simply impart knowledge—they must instill values that align with the principles of reason, progress, and truth-seeking.

Education as a Public Good : The role of schools extends beyond imparting academic knowledge; it includes developing responsible, informed citizens. As publicly funded institutions, schools have a legal and moral responsibility to prepare students to function in a complex, rapidly changing world

By teaching students to value evidence, seek truth, and embrace progress, schools contribute to the creation of informed, capable citizens who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. Failing to do so not only undermines individual potential but also risks societal stagnation and vulnerability to misinformation. Therefore, schools must fulfill their legal and moral duty to shape the minds of the next generation for the betterment of all.

What had been acceptable in the past - no longer the case - Legal Obligation to Build Rational, Evidence-Based Citizens : Schools have a legal obligation to instill values such as evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma in young children. This is essential for preparing students to function effectively in a democratic, knowledge-based society. Education is not simply about passing on knowledge—it is about fostering the critical thinking and adaptability necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

By instilling values of evidence, progress, and truth-seeking, schools fulfill their legal and moral obligation to equip students with the tools necessary to contribute positively to the real-world modern society.

Polarization and Misinformation: Failing to teach truth-seeking and critical thinking leads to a populace more vulnerable to polarization, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. This has real-world consequences, as seen in recent political and social movements where belief-based thinking has led to societal division and undermined democratic institutions.

Social Stagnation: Societies that prioritize belief over evidence or finality over progress often experience stagnation and resistance to change. This is particularly dangerous in an era of rapid technological advancement and global challenges such as climate change, where evidence-based policy decisions are critical. Schools that fail to instill the right mindset leave students unprepared to engage with these challenges.

When schools fail the children - The Consequences of Failing to Instill the Right Values : When schools fail to teach children to prioritize evidence, truth, and progress, they risk creating citizens who are ill-equipped to address the complex challenges of the modern world

These legal precedents affirm that schools must do more than simply impart knowledge—they must instill values that align with the principles of reason, progress, and truth-seeking.

UNESCO’s Global Education Framework: This framework emphasizes the importance of fostering global citizenship through education that promotes critical thinking, respect for diversity, and a commitment to sustainable development. Schools are legally obligated to provide education that prepares students for participation in global issues such as climate change, social justice, and technological advancement—issues that require an evidence-based mindset.

By cultivating an environment where questioning is encouraged, schools ensure that students are prepared to contribute to a more progressive and just society.

Encouraging Innovation: Societal and technological progress depend on individuals who question the status quo and seek improvements. By law, schools are tasked with preparing students for the challenges of the future, which requires promoting a mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to progress. Societies stagnate when their citizens cling to outdated ideas and resist change, which is why schools have a legal responsibility to instill values that encourage constant re-evaluation of ideas and systems.

Protection from Indoctrination: Many legal frameworks explicitly prohibit indoctrination in schools, whether religious, political, or ideological. For example, the European Convention on Human Rights protects students from religious or ideological imposition, emphasizing that education should be pluralistic and open-minded. Schools must teach children how to think, not what to think, encouraging exploration and the questioning of ideas rather than acceptance of dogma.

Key role of national schools - Preventing Dogma and Promoting Progress : Schools have a legal obligation to ensure that students are not indoctrinated with dogma but are instead taught to value progress over finality and truth-seeking over rigid beliefs

When schools fail to instill these values, they fail in their legal mandate to prepare students for their roles as informed citizens.

Responsibility to Society: The law also holds that education systems have a responsibility to society at large. In democratic nations, education is seen as a public good that must contribute to the development of a rational, well-informed populace capable of self-governance. Schools, as state institutions, are legally obligated to produce citizens who can participate in public discourse based on evidence and reason, not superstition or unfounded beliefs.

MOE - Buck up or get sued - Right to Education: Many constitutions and legal systems enshrine the right to education, which is understood as more than just the acquisition of knowledge—it includes the development of values and dispositions necessary for living a meaningful life. For example, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 26) emphasizes that education should promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship among all nations and groups, which requires a commitment to truth-seeking over dogma.

Critical thinking is not just an academic exercise—it’s a survival skill in an ever increasingly complex world.

Many more online scamming syndicates - Preventing Misinformation: The rise of misinformation and “fake news” has made it more urgent than ever for schools to instill a mindset that values evidence over belief. Legally, schools have a responsibility to prepare students to navigate an information-saturated world where distinguishing fact from fiction is critical. Failing to instill these values leaves students vulnerable to manipulation and incapable of making informed decisions.

MOE - Buck up or get sued: As economies become more knowledge-based, the ability to critically assess information, adapt to new evidence, and continuously seek improvement is essential for employability. Legal frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 29) emphasize that education must prepare children to be productive members of society, which requires the cultivation of critical thinking.

Critical Thinking as an Indispensible Fundamental Skill : Schools have a legal obligation to teach critical thinking, which is based on evaluating evidence rather than accepting beliefs at face value. In modern societies, critical thinking is a foundational skill for participation in every aspect of life, from the workforce to citizenship

Without these foundational values, schools would fail in their duty to equip students with the tools necessary for their own success and the collective good.

Civic Responsibility: Societies thrive when citizens are capable of rational decision-making, informed by evidence and critical thinking rather than dogma or blind belief. By law, schools are entrusted with preparing students for life in a democratic society, which requires instilling the ability to assess facts, question assumptions, and think independently.

Schools have a legal obligation to instill the right mindset and values in young children because the education system plays a crucial role in shaping not only the future of individuals but also the future of society. Instilling values such as evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma is essential to fostering a generation that is capable of critical thinking, innovation, and active participation in a democratic and scientifically informed society.

Science as a Path to Truth, Not Certainty : True science avoids claiming absolute certainty because it recognizes the limits of human knowledge and the provisional nature of understanding. Scientific theories are always open to revision in light of new evidence, ensuring that science remains a dynamic and evolving discipline. However, science is highly effective at identifying what is false, using rigorous methods of testing and falsification to rule out incorrect ideas with near-complete certainty. This balance of humility in the face of complexity, combined with the ability to decisively refute falsehoods, is what makes science a powerful and reliable tool for understanding the world. It values evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma.

The meaning of schooling in the new millennium - Science as a Path to Truth, Not Certainty : True science avoids claiming absolute certainty because it recognizes the limits of human knowledge and the provisional nature of understanding. Scientific theories are always open to revision in light of new evidence, ensuring that science remains a dynamic and evolving discipline. However, science is highly effective at identifying what is false, using rigorous methods of testing and falsification to rule out incorrect ideas with near-complete certainty.

This balance of humility in the face of complexity, combined with the ability to decisively refute falsehoods, is what makes science a powerful and reliable tool for understanding the world. It values evidence over belief, progress over finality, and truth-seeking over dogma.

Embracing Uncertainty: Far from being a weakness, science’s embrace of uncertainty is a strength. It allows scientists to explore possibilities, revise hypotheses, and continually improve the precision of their understanding without the constraints of dogmatic belief.

Educating the innocent children to adopt scientific mindedness, ethic and ideology: By maintaining an openness to new evidence and avoiding claims of absolute certainty, science preserves its dynamism and adaptability, allowing for ongoing progress.

Historical Lessons: History is filled with examples where absolute certainty led to scientific stagnation. For instance, the rigid adherence to Aristotelian physics in medieval Europe delayed the acceptance of more accurate models like those proposed by Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton.

Protecting the children from danger - The Danger of Claiming Absolute Certainty: Claiming absolute certainty in science can be dangerous, as it leads to dogma, rigidity, and the rejection of new evidence.

High Confidence in Disproven Claims: On the other hand, science can state with almost complete certainty when something is false. For example, we can say with near absolute certainty that perpetual motion machines do not work, because they violate the well-established laws of thermodynamics.

Educating the innocent children to adopt scientific mindedness, ethic and ideology: Many scientific findings are expressed in terms of probability, with conclusions supported by data and statistical significance. While scientists might never say something is “100% true,” they can assert that it is extremely likely or that the evidence supports it beyond reasonable doubt. For instance, the theory of evolution by natural selection, while always open to further refinement, is supported by an overwhelming body of evidence, making it as close to certain as possible.

By identifying false claims, science narrows the range of possible explanations, making it highly effective at eliminating incorrect ideas even as it refrains from claiming ultimate truths.

Track record: Over time, scientific testing has debunked many false claims, such as the idea that the Earth is flat, that disease is caused by “miasma” (bad air), or that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones (as disproven by Galileo). Science can assert with near certainty that these claims are false because they have been rigorously tested and consistently disproven.