The
education ministry’s recent circular permitting and supporting a religious
group to carry out preaching activities in educational institutions once again
shows that the ministry is not a reliable agency to deal with national
education. Policies are made on the run.
They
are not supported with authoritative advice or with findings from research,
especially in areas such as religion in education.
There
is no consultation with parents.
Or
teachers.
Or
the public.
They
flout the very principles of education they are supposed to defend. Policies have
become the whims and fancies of those who have the power to make rules. They appear not to realize the lifelong impact their policies have on
children and the harm they will do them and the future of this country if policies are not
carefully made.
Education
is not the personal fief of the minister or any of its officials, whatever
their rank. Their first duty is to observe and comply with the laws that
created their office and their functions. The laws have established two
national councils to consider and advise on policies on education. The Minister
and the ministry have a legal duty to process policies such as this through
those councils. Instead, they proceed as authoritarians as if they have a
personal right over such issues as the proselytization of religion in
educational institutions.
National
unity, equality of access to education, the equal treatment of all citizens are
some of the objectives of national education. How are these objectives served
by the ministry’s circular on religious proselytism in educational institutions?
If religion is an important part of education (there is a body of research that supports this), then why are the other religions not taught and preached. If the education ministry is only concerned with one section of the students, who are expected to care for the others?
The
ministry cannot blow hot and cold on these policies and not expect
It is frightening to see how they function. We have a broken system. This makes it worst.
ReplyDeleteEducational institutions are learning grounds for our kids to acquire fundamental knowledge and to promote democratic citizenship. Our kids need an environment and policies that promote quality learning that respond to their diversity; and foster healthy vision that guides democratic decisions.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a long time to recognize the good and bad. I am very optimistic with the new development in moe. HOPE, is there.
ReplyDeleteIn the the movie - Victoria and Abdul:
one of the scenes showing Karim advising the Queen on how to handle disputes between Indian Muslims and Hindus. Karim himself is a Muslim. Concerned about Karim's interference in state affairs, members of the royal family and other court aides accused him of being a spy, with the aim of turning the queen against Hindus. However, the Queen believes that these people are motivated by racial discrimination and jealousy.
Queen Victoria's character was resolute. When facing the royal family members' resignation as a threat, with her son declared that the Queen had mental illness and was not suitable for the monarch. The Queen said calmly:
I am 81 years of age. I've had nine children and 42 grandchildren, and have almost a billion citizens. I have known 11 Prime Ministers and passed 2,347 pieces of legislation. I've been in office 62 years, 234 days. Thus, I am the longest-serving monarch in world history. I'm responsible for five households and a staff of over 3,000.…. But I have absolutely no mental disorders.
She can see very clearly that all people are struggling for power. Only Abdul (Karim) has a simple character and is not involved in political struggle .
I have faith that with the fresh start in our education under the Harapan government, we just need to stay pure and open minded. Stay HOPE