Education Ministry releases FAQ on khat lessons

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 6 Aug 2019 2:21PM · 4 Comments

The Education Ministry has issued a frequently asked question sheet to help the general public understand why it is introducing khat calligraphy to schools, as part of the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus. – EPA pic, August 6, 2019.

THE Education Ministry today issued a list of frequently asked questions, and answers, on the introduction of khat in primary schools next year as debate rages on the matter.

Khat calligraphy or Jawi writing will be taught as part of the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus in Primary Four next year.

1. What is the issue?

The Revised Primary School Standards-Based Curriculum (KSSR) for the Standard 4 Bahasa Malaysia syllabus will introduce khat calligraphy as part of an additional segment.

2. What is the purpose of introducing khat writing?

Khat calligraphy serves as an aspect of language arts to enrich students with knowledge on history, art and heritage of Bahasa Malaysia.

3. How is khat calligraphy segmented?

It will take up six out of 164 pages of the new Bahasa Malaysia Standard 4 textbook as part of language art activities.

4. Will students master Jawi through these six pages?

The relevant section is not comprehensive enough to master Jawi, it is more to enhance knowledge of the history, art and heritage of Bahasa Malaysia.

5. Will this course be taught in Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) only?

No, it will be taught in all primary schools; SK and SJK.

6. When was the decision to include khat calligraphy in the syllabus made?

The introduction of khat calligraphy was decided during the revision of the curriculum (KSSR) in 2014.

7. Will this target Year 4 pupils only?

It will be for Level 2 students, which will involve Year 4 in 2020, Year 5 in 2021 and Year 6 in 2022. There will be no involvement for Level 1 students (Year 1-3).

8. Will khat calligraphy form part of tests and exams?

No, it will not to be tested or assessed.

9. Why are non-Malay students being forced to study khat calligraphy?

The introduction of khat calligraphy is meant as an attempt to enhance their knowledge of the history, art and heritage of Bahasa Malaysia. There is no attempt at force.

In addition to this, Jawi script writing has also been taught in SJK through the Bahasa Malaysia curriculum since 2015.

This can be referred to in SJK Year 5 (2015 edition), pages 85-88 under Theme 6; Culture and Nation Appreciation (Unit 17 – The Writing Art).

10. Why khat calligraphy instead of coding or other options?

The ministry introduced coding to primary and secondary students through the revised Primary School Standards-Based Curriculum (KSSR) and Secondary School Standards-Based Curriculum (KSSM) in 2017.

This involves Level 2 students (Year 4-5) in primary school and Form 1-3 in secondary school.

The element of coding is incorporated within the subject of Technology Design and Computer Science. – August 6, 2019.

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Comments

  • Why dont just confine the teaching to Religious school only?

    Posted 4 years ago by MA63 SSS · Reply

  • Take it as a hobby or personal interest rather than a part of a textbook. We Non Malay would rather learn Malay , Indian, Kadazan or Iban calligraphy writing BUT not a middle East language calligraphy. Pls think on relevancy, purpose and Non Muslim sentiments NOT to include in our national Malay text book. Khat is not even a Malay calligraphy.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Must consider national unity and integration as top priority. Not only Malay sentiments. United Malaysia will grow stronger, split will lead to natural death. It will continue to go down economically to the level of Bangladesh or Pakistan. Malaysia economy is in the hands of top 20% , u like it or not, of these 20% lost confidence with national policy, Malaysia economy is as good as gone.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • "Khat calligraphy serves as an aspect of language arts to enrich students with knowledge on history, art and heritage of Bahasa Malaysia".

    This is an exercise in FUTILITY, based on perceptions or dreams. This is NOT the way to "enrich" anyone about the history, art and heritage of Bahasa Malaysia, which is a very tall order. It will be pouring water on ducks' backs or as in Malay "tuang air ke atas daun keladi". A sheer waste of time - time that could be used for other useful purposes. Creeping Islamisation for sure!

    Posted 4 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply