Religious classes preparing students for afterlife, not daily life, says Dr M

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Islam is a way of life but religious classes only teach students to pray, fast, pay zakat and prepare for the afterlife.

PETALING JAYA: Religious classes in schools are preparing students for the afterlife instead of teaching them proper values in this lifetime, says former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said Islam is a way of life but that is not stressed in schools.

“We stress on the afterlife, to pray, to fast, to pay zakat, to go for the haj.

“But there is nothing on not to steal, not to murder, not to fight,” he said during an interview with Great People Television titled Leadership Reflections and Perceptions with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The 96-year-old further said education in schools was no longer relevant and changes are needed so that children are exposed to knowledge, with proper value systems.

“Without a value system, knowledge can be misused. It is like a knife. It can be used for sculpture or to kill people. It is not the fault of the knife,” Mahathir said.

Previously, he said children depended on parents but with most parents working, schools need to step in to instil these values.

However, he admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic had made things difficult, with children attending online classes from home. He agreed that schools could not be reopened until all teachers and secondary school students get vaccinated.

“Until then, it would be best to study at home,” he said.

The Covid-19 crisis, Mahathir said, had shown the need for reforms and to do away with traditional teachers and classroom education, adding that the education ministry should get the best teachers to record their lessons for children to learn.

“Some teachers are good and others are not, and the students become the victims. A recording by good teachers can be played in classrooms with class teachers guiding students,” he said.

He also urged the education ministry to focus on English and to ensure students speak well and “not half-Malay and half-English without proper pronunciation”. - FMT