Ministry postpones black school shoes rule to 2021

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 13 Oct 2018 1:51PM · 3 Comments

Education Minister Maszlee Malik decides to introduce balck school shoes in 2019 consultation with the parent-teacher association, the pupils and the suppliers of school shoes. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 13, 2018.

THE Education Ministry will introduce black school shoes in 2021, after a plan to make the shoes mandatory next year was met with resistance.

In a statement today, the ministry said it made the decision after feedback from the parent-teacher association, the pupils and the suppliers of school shoes.

In July, Education Minister Maszlee Malik announced that the black shoes policy would take effect next year, following parents’ requests to do away with white shoes.

Maszlee said money saved from having to replace the white school shoes, which wore out faster than black ones, could be used to buy books.
 
The time the schoolchildren spent cleaning their white shoes every week, he said, could, be used to read, thus increasing their knowledge.

Critics of the policy include former minister Rais Yatim, who questioned the need to switch to black school shoes.

He said white shoes encouraged pupils to be clean and disciplined.

Some had also said the minister should focus on more worthwhile subjects.

Suppliers had also complained that the uniform change was abrupt and could lead to losses as they were not given time to clear their stock of white shoes.

Malaysian Retailers Association (MRA) said it took about a year for manufacturers to plan production and they might not be able to cater to the demand.\

The ministry has agreed to allow the pupils two years starting 2019 to transition from white to black shoes. During the two years, white shoes will still be allowed and schools are not to force the pupils to wear black shoes.

The ministry also advised parents not to rush to get black shoes as that they had until 2020 to comply with the new policy. – October 13, 2018.
 

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Comments

  • Wasted money, add no value to the education system.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • Can we make Rafidah Aziz the Education Minister please. She will get things done and whip all the little napoleons in Education into place in no time. Marzlee is too weak and doesnt command the respect of the public and the little napoleons. We need a savvy and action oriented education minister.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply

  • Open the mouth without thinking (about the repercussions on the the black shoe issue) and now retracting the statement.
    This is another controversial minister to watch out for. He bulldozed his way to accept the presidency of IIUM!

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply