Upko happy with progress on Bible Knowledge study in schools
KOTA KINABALU: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organisation (Upko) is determined in its effort to promote the subject of Bible Knowledge study in schools.
Its acting president, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, said he would like to see more than 1,000 students take up the subject.
“I am very happy with the progress we have made. We have started with just 200 to 300 students taking the said subject. Now there are more than 700 students taking the subject.
“Most of them are from Form Four and Five while some of them are from Form One and Two,” Madius said in his speech at Upko’s Bible Knowledge textbooks’ presentation ceremony held at The Pacific Sutera on Friday.
Upko has contributed 770 sets (which consists of two books per set) of textbooks to 18 different schools across the state.
Madius stressed that Upko had been championing the promotion of the Bible Knowledge subject right from the word go. He added that the number of secondary schools taking up the subject had increased from ten to 18. He also said that more missionary schools have decided to implement the subject in their syllabus.
In 2009 and 2010, the number of students taking up the subject had almost reached 1,000. However, the figure slowly decreased over the years.
According to Madius, Bible Knowledge is a subject that can help improve one’s command of English and that it can also be a form of literature.
When asked whether the subject will be taught during school hours, Madius disclosed that various dialogues had already been conducted with the Ministry of Education to discuss the matter.
“First and foremost, it is very important for Christian parents to come forward and encourage their children to take up the subject.
“There is no point of us doing this if, at the end of the day, no one is going to take up this subject,” he said during a press conference.
The subject will be taught in a historical context, focusing on two parts, namely, the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and the formation of the early church.