MALAYSIANS should now move forward following cabinet’s decision to make khat lessons optional and not examined for Year Four pupils of vernacular schools, said Lim Guan Eng.
The DAP secretary-general admitted that the cabinet decision would not please everyone, including those from the non-Malay community who had requested for the implementation of khat to be deferred pending consultation with all the stakeholders.
“However, cabinet’s decision yesterday – that it is not compulsory but optional and not to be tested in exams – would hopefully allow Malaysians to move forward.
“Malaysians from all walks of life should engage more with each other to understand the concerns that divide us and aspirations that unite us.
“Let us work together with full respect for diversity and appreciation for each other’s differences that make us stronger and more successful,” he said in a statement today.
He also said that the DAP national leadership had a discussion with all its elected representatives on Monday on the Education Ministry’s decision to introduce khat without prior consultation with the stakeholders.
“This was conveyed to the cabinet meeting yesterday.
“The unhappiness of the non-Malay community and educationists in Chinese and Tamil primary schools stemmed from what they see as a unilateral decision taken by the Education Ministry, without any prior consultation with the stakeholders.
“This has led to general suspicion and a trust deficit from the stakeholders in Chinese and Tamil primary schools, that there is a hidden agenda by the Education Ministry,” said the finance minister.
He added that Sabah and Sarawak have also expressed similar dissatisfaction.
Lim also pointed out that Education Minister Maszlee Malik has denied any hidden agenda, clarifying that the new syllabus of introducing khat for Year Four students was formulated and decided by the previous government.
Earlier today, Maszlee said cabinet has decided that khat lessons for Year Four pupils in vernacular schools will be implemented with some adjustments.
He said the introduction of khat will be optional, with teachers given the power to decide on its implementation in their respective classrooms.
Under the new cabinet instructions, khat lessons will cover three pages of the Year Four BM textbook, down from the six pages proposed previously.
Apart from vernacular educational groups, DAP grassroots were also vocal in their objections against teaching of khat in vernacular schools.
The party had then called in all its elected representatives to Kuala Lumpur for a meeting to find a solution to this issue.
Lim also had met Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad twice over the issue within a span of 24 hours.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/
Cabinet makes khat elective for Chinese, Tamil schools
THE cabinet has decided to proceed with the introduction of khat lessons for Year Four pupils in vernacular schools, but with some adjustments, said Dr Maszlee Malik today.
The education minister said the decision was reached at the weekly meeting yesterday after the cabinet discussed objections to khat’s inclusion in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.
Under the new cabinet instructions, khat lessons will cover three pages of the Year Four BM textbook, down from the six pages proposed previously.
“The cabinet also decided that the introduction of khat will be optional, with teachers given the power to decide on its implementation in their respective classrooms,” Maszlee told a press conference in Putrajaya.
He said khat is only one of many topics in the BM syllabus, and how it is taught is up to teachers’ creativity.
“It (khat) is in the textbook. It is up to teachers to use their own creativity.
“We want to emphasise that the cabinet has agreed that khat will not be included in exams.”
He added that khat serves as an introduction to the Jawi script.
“We want to educate pupils about the country’s heritage. We can see the Jawi script in many places, even on ringgit notes.”
Earlier, Sarawak and Sabah voiced opposition to the introduction of khat lessons in the states’ vernacular schools. Sarawak said it is looking at ways to legally block the move, while Sabah decried the lack of focus on pressing issues afflicting rural schools in the state.
Maszlee said Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia, and education is a federal matter.
“We want to encourage pupils to learn about other cultures and appreciate the history of our nation.”
Dong Zong, or the Chinese United School Committees’ Association, and Tamil Foundation Malaysia have rejected the teaching of khat to Year Four pupils in vernacular schools.
The groups said they want more discussions to take place before the move is implemented.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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