Civic education subject may be reintroduced
KUCHING: The Ministry of Education ( MoE) plans to reintroduce civic education as a subject under the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 in schools throughout the country.
Minister of Education Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said civic education may have the elements to strengthen and inculcate the value of unity among students of different races.
“What the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said was correct, that students who obtain their education in a religious primary school will definitely continue their studies in same stream (religious school), similar to students who enrol in Chinese schools; as a result there won’t be any interaction among these students which could dampen the spirit of unity.
“It is necessary for such matters to be discussed among the state government and the federal government to search for the best methods in strengthening the unity among students either through the reintroduction of civic
What the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said was correct, that students who obtain their education in a religious primary school will definitely continue their studies in same stream (religious school), similar to students who enrol in Chinese schools, as a result there won’t be any interaction among these students which could dampen the spirit of unity.
education or other programmes that have the tendency to enhance unity,” he told a press conference after the ground-breaking ceremony for the new site of SJK(C) Stampin yesterday.
In Nov 2014, the Civic Education and Nationalism ( Pendidikan Sivik dan Kewarganegaraan PSK) which was once a core subject in secondary schools was withdrawn under the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
Mahdzir pointed out that although the ministry had implemented the Student Integration Plan for Unity ( Rimup), the programme seemed to be less effective in forging unity among students.
“Rimup was only implemented in various selected schools; therefore, we need a better approach or ways to increase the interaction in uniting students of all races and religions in this country,” he added.
In another development, Mahdzir said the ministry was studying thoroughly the usage of cash cards in schools as introduced by Angkasa.
“It needs to be further discussed before such a system could be implemented, in which the ministry will have to seek approval from schools as well as the Parent and Teacher Associations (PTAs).
Among the dignitaries present were Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Ministry of Education directorgeneral Tan Sri Dr Khair Mohd Yusuf, Ministry of Education deputy secretary- general Datuk Seri Azmi Lateh, deputy state education director Abg Mat Ali Abg Masagus, San Chin-BBC JV Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Barry Yek and San Chin-BBC JV Sdn Bhd managing director Lee Chin Teck.
Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Minister of Education