Sabah gov't wants Jawi made optional subject

The Sabah government wants Jawi to be taught as an optional subject in schools. 

This was confirmed by one of Chief Minister Shafie Apdal's political secretaries, Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas.

"The Sabah cabinet discussed thoroughly and wanted Jawi to be optional in Sabah," she told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Sabah Rural and Regional Development Minister Ewon Benedick said this was decided at a recent cabinet meeting.

“The state cabinet, in a meeting recently, decided that Jawi should be an optional subject and not included in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.

“The lessons should be provided only if the students decide to learn them,” he was quoted by FMT.

At present, three pages introducing Year Four students to Jawi are included in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.

It is compulsory for national school students, but optional to vernacular schools where parents and parent-teacher associations will decide whether or not it should be taught.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Education Ministry to get a response on whether the Sabah government's decision will be put into force.

Sabah Education and Innovation Minister Yusof Yacob previously stated that the state does not have full education autonomy and that syllabuses are under federal purview. - Mkini