PETALING JAYA: Former natural resources and environment minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has argued for the introduction of an Environment Education (EE) subject in schools, following remarks by an education group that such a topic is unnecessary as part of formal education.
The idea of an EE subject in schools was proposed by the Malaysian Nature Society. However, the Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) said there was no need for this, with its chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim saying “daily lessons” on issues like recycling could be taught by parents and teachers.
Wan Junaidi, who is Santubong MP, said EE was still a necessary topic as issues related to the environment had become more complex and technical and were not just about “throwing rubbish”.
“It’s more than that, like understanding global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. It causes sickness, unpredictable weather, raging sea conditions, rising sea levels, drought and famine.
“Actually, it is more about the survival of the human species, which requires a conducive environment to function, scientifically speaking. But awareness and appreciation of this is low.”
During his time as a minister in the former administration, Wan Junaidi said, he initiated a study with the education ministry in 2016 and proposed implementing EE studies in primary and secondary school syllabi this year.
He said the education ministry at the time was supportive of introducing an EE subject in schools.
“I already did the groundwork,” he said, adding that the ministry had agreed to co-finance any costs arising from the implementation of the EE subject in schools.
“What was left to decide was whether the subject should be introduced on its own or as part of other subjects.”
He said when the EE was raised during a Cabinet meeting, there was no objection from other Cabinet members. However, Education Minister Maszlee Malik, who was appointed after Pakatan Harapan’s election win in May last year, has yet to confirm whether it will see the light of day.
Wan Junaidi proposed that the education ministry, under Maszlee, look into the findings of the joint committee he had spearheaded. He added however that a standalone EE subject was a must.
“Knowledge of the environment and its impact on the planet must be understood from every perspective and angle,” said Wan Junaidi, who is part of Sarawak’s ruling PBB party.
“Due to the importance of the subject matter and its scope, it is advisable for it (to be introduced) on its own.
“We have to devote time to study such an important subject matter.”
A Merdeka Center survey released in 2017 showed that over 80% of Malaysians were concerned about climate change amid increasing temperature and weather fluctuations in recent years.
A recent study said informal EE, despite facing several challenges, was thriving in Malaysia. It also acknowledged the role the Malaysian media and voluntary organisations play in promoting environmental education.
But the study, conducted by four academics from a local university, said it was hard for local media to do this as environmental educators due to restrictions placed by media outlet owners and advertisers.
The study said local media and environmental NGOs also faced challenges like the community’s lack of interest in science and the environment which are considered as “heavy” topics. - FMT
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