Teo denies plans on changing History syllabus for schools
PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching has denied news that she had planned to change the History syllabus in schools with the help of Chinese nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs), as viralled on social media.
Teo in dismissing the allegations as baseless said, the report was concocted by irresponsible parties out to play up racial sentiments.
“The report is totally untrue and I urge the portals and sites to remove the news immediately,” she said in a statement yesterday.
“I will not hesitate to take legal action against those who have defamed me and tarnished the image of the Education Ministry,” she said.
For the record, Teo said the Standard Based Curriculum for Primary Schools ( KSSR) was revised in 2017 and the History curriculum and text book panel was formed before she was appointed as Deputy Education Minister.
She said review of the Standard 4 curriculum for the History textbook too was completed in 2017.
“As such it is impossible for me to have a hand in drafting and reviewing the History curriculum, what more to appoint a DAP Team or Chinese NGO to get their input on including DAP history in the syllabus,” she said.
Teo added that meetings held between any NGO and the curriculum committee was to get their suggestions on the History curriculum for primary and secondary schools.
She said she had confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the committee and its panel members who were capable of deciding on the improvements to be made to the History curriculum.
“While I support and respect the freedom of speech as encouraged by the new government, I advise the public not to disseminate baseless and defamatory statements or reports,” Teo added. — Bernama