Cabinet makes khat elective for Chinese, Tamil schools

Noel Achariam Noel Achariam Updated 4 years ago · Published on 8 Aug 2019 3:11PM · 7 Comments

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik says the cabinet agrees that khat will not be included in exams. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 8, 2019.

THE cabinet has decided to proceed with the introduction of khat lessons for Year Four pupils in vernacular schools, but with some adjustments, said Dr Maszlee Malik today.

The education minister said the decision was reached at the weekly meeting yesterday after the cabinet discussed objections to khat’s inclusion in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus.

Under the new cabinet instructions, khat lessons will cover three pages of the Year Four BM textbook, down from the six pages proposed previously.

“The cabinet also decided that the introduction of khat will be optional, with teachers given the power to decide on its implementation in their respective classrooms,” Maszlee told a press conference in Putrajaya.

He said khat is only one of many topics in the BM syllabus, and how it is taught is up to teachers’ creativity.

“It (khat) is in the textbook. It is up to teachers to use their own creativity.

“We want to emphasise that the cabinet has agreed that khat will not be included in exams.”

He added that khat serves as an introduction to the Jawi script.

“We want to educate pupils about the country’s heritage. We can see the Jawi script in many places, even on ringgit notes.”

Earlier, Sarawak and Sabah voiced opposition to the introduction of khat lessons in the states’ vernacular schools. Sarawak said it is looking at ways to legally block the move, while Sabah decried the lack of focus on pressing issues afflicting rural schools in the state.

Maszlee said Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia, and education is a federal matter.

“We want to encourage pupils to learn about other cultures and appreciate the history of our nation.”

Dong Zong, or the Chinese United School Committees’ Association, and Tamil Foundation Malaysia have rejected the teaching of khat to Year Four pupils in vernacular schools.

The groups said they want more discussions to take place before the move is implemented. – August 8, 2019.

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Comments

  • I would ask my children to skip that lesson day.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • If PH or DAP aka MCA 2.0 thought it was over, think again.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Religious education, no matter how one disguises it is ultra vires the Malaysia Agreement of 1965. it should be immediately challenged in Court.

    Posted 4 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • I am beginning to like khat and would like to learn it when I get time.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • And wheres Mahathir while all this nonsense is happening?

    Oh, pegi oversea again ...

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • PH needs a new educated Education Minister asap b4 GE15.

    Posted 4 years ago by Sidney Karan · Reply

  • Why would teachers be given the option and not the child or parent? Come on, Mazlee, be a man. Step down and let another person who is more capable take over.

    Posted 4 years ago by Alex Lim · Reply