Postpone Jawi lessons, talk to us first, says anti-khat group

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 4 years ago · Published on 25 Aug 2019 1:56PM · 7 Comments

The Seni Khat Action Team is threatening to pull their children out of school if the Education Ministry does not talk with the group. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 25, 2019.

THE Education Ministry must postpone the teaching of jawi – or khat calligraphy – to vernacular school pupils until a clear answer on the issue is found, said a group of 24 pressure groups today.

Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) secretary Arun Dorasamy said the group was seeking to hold a dialogue with the government in order to look for an amicable solution on the matter.

However, Arun said that if their demand for a dialogue is not met, the group would convince parents to stop sending their children to school as a sign of protest.

“We want a dialogue with the ministry and relevant stakeholders, and also we want the idea to introduce Jawi to be postponed until a clear solution is found.

“If our demands are not met, we want parents to not send their kids to school. We will hold a campaign to convince the kids to skip school,” he said in a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Among the groups present during the press conference today were Dayak Rights Action Force, Persatuan Anak Borneo Semenanjung, Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Tamil Foundation.

The Seni Khat Action Team wants the introduction of Jawi or khat calligraphy to be postponed until a clear solution is found on the matter. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 25, 2019.

Earlier this month, the government had said it would continue with the teaching of Jawi for Year 4 pupils, but with some adjustments.

This had come after protests from vernacular education groups.

Under the new decision, Jawi will be taught for fewer lessons, and on the approval of the respective school’s Parent-Teacher Association.

However, Sekat is not happy even with that compromise, saying that the government must look into ways to simplify the teaching and learning process of the calligraphic art so as to not burden pupils and teachers.

The group also unanimously agreed to strengthen the teaching of Bahasa Melayu among non-Malay students.

One of the speakers, Shashi Kumar, said that non-Malay students should learn more of the national language rather than learning Jawi.

“We should let them learn our national language, let them master the language. Why teach something that brings little benefit.

“At the moment, some non-Malay students are also finding it hard to excel in the language, if you add new subject how will they cope,” said the Hindraf Federal Territory chairman.

On Friday evening, two individuals were taken in by the police after holding a demonstration on the issue at Brickfields.

Umagandhan Krishnan, the chief coordinator of the “Puratchi” rally, was taken together with Malaysia Chinese-Educated Students’ Association chairman Tan Boon Tak to have their statements recorded. – August 25, 2019.

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Comments

  • Dey bukan wajib pun. Kecoh la

    Posted 4 years ago by Muzamil Hanafiah · Reply

    • Tapi you tau la ... beri betis hari ni, gerenti u esok nak peha...

      Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

    • Macam NEP?

      Posted 4 years ago by Gerard Lourdesamy · Reply

  • I don't agree with the boycott going to school idea. That's like throwing out the baby with the bath water. The boycott should specifically be for the khat and jawi lessons. Not going to school entirely will be to the detriment of the children.

    Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • The lessons have been reduced, PIBG can monitor, how much more to compromise. It's not like learning Khat is going make them convert.

    Posted 4 years ago by Vanitha Manogaran · Reply

  • We Non Malays have NO TRUST IN THE EDUCATION MINISTRY Bcoz We have been CHEATED ALOT ALOT BY THEM. Non Malays Will Never Forgive the Education Ministry for Depriving the RIGHTS OF OUR KIDS IN SCHOOL WHEN MALAYS OBSERVING THEIR RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION. What is the Fault of Our Kids who came to school to
    Study but we FORCED TO EAT IN TOILETS DURING THEIR BREAK TIME. We parents did bring to the attention of the school HM 's but it went to DEAF EARS. Malay HM's pretended n brush off the issue as if nothing happened. Also our kids hv to forced to winess ANIMAL SLAUGHTERING IN SCHOOL . What is all these NONSENSE Happening in place where KIDS COME TO STUDY TO GAIN KNOWLEGDE TO SECURE THEIR FUTURE. Today eduation ministry tell non malays to read jawi tmmrow they will say u non malay receite Quran Then on n on n on No End to it

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • The pibg can do whatever to protest towards the government but think twice if u r going to jeopardize the children's education and think again what if, no solutions where it takes more than 14 days.

    Posted 4 years ago by Chong Choong Kian · Reply