Audience laments Teo's absence at multicultural education forum

Audience members at a forum last night lamented the absence of Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching as they missed the chance to ask her directly about the introduction of khat in the syllabus for vernacular schools.

Teo was advertised as one of the panellists at the Rethinking Multiculturalism in the Malaysian Education System forum, but later pulled out to attend an urgent DAP meetingover the khat controversy.

Representing her at the forum was her special functions officer Chan Kheng Fei, who stressed that he spoke for himself, and not behalf of Teo of the ministry.

During the question and answer segment, several people stood up to ask about the ministry’s plan to introduce khat into the Year Four Bahasa Malaysia syllabus at national-type vernacular schools next year.

They wanted to know how learning Jawi calligraphy would help vernacular school students learn Bahasa Malaysia, and why Putrajaya was considering the move at a time when other countries were teaching their youth computer coding skills.

One man in particular, who identified himself as Elvis, said he had travelled from Johor Bahru just to meet Teo, but was “disappointed” to find her absent.

"I have a few brief points which I hope Teo’s aide will be able to pass on to her.

"Firstly, like other Chinese people, I want to stress that I am not against khat, but I do not want it in school textbooks. It should be taught during art classes.

"Teo previously said that khat won’t be included in examinations but can Teo’s aide ask her to assure us that this won’t change in the future?” he asked in Mandarin.

A member from the organising team then reminded the packed hall to keep their questions relevant to the forum topic of multiculturalism in education.

A more multicultural syllabus

Earlier, panellist and UCSI architecture professor Mohd Tajuddin Rasdi (left in photo) proposed that Putrajaya revamp the History syllabus to make it more reflective of all the different races in the country.

"You must put in the history of all the communities, (like) where did the Christians come from and what were their contributions to the country?

"And we have to change the message of history. The message is that everyone – Malays, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan – they all are successful in working to build the nation.

"And if it is May 13, everyone is at fault. That’s the message you have to give," he said.

Tajuddin also suggested that the syllabus, whether it be History or other subjects, be rewritten to suit a more globalised and sustainable context.

He added that teachers and students ought to embark on exchange programmes with their peers in other types of schools.

This, the academic said, would not only enable to interact with other Malaysians, but would also provide them with the opportunity to experience the different school systems available.

For Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia principal research fellow Denison Jayasooria, he hoped that more Malaysians would appreciate the already diverse and multicultural education system rather than consider “monocultural” alternatives.

He also urged that students be taught the cultural practices of their peers and schools adopt a more “multicultural” and open-minded approach to education.

The forum was held at and organised by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), along with the United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong).

It was moderated by Dong Zong’s curriculum division director Khei Yok Man. - Mkini