On Wednesday, July 13, 2005, PM Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said that the main thrust of schools is unity - to ensure the nations's continued peace. he said that the younger generation must be given early opportunities to understand the meaning of unity through ways and practices that would ensure the people were united and lived in harmony.
One thought immediately are came to my mind - what about helping our young generation acquire knowledge and personal development?
I quickly check with the educational philosophy of the the Ministry of Education and it states:
"Education in Malaysia is an on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holostic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intelectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large"
For over 40 years we have tried to build the foundation for national unity with all sorts of initiatives. Shouldn't the politicians seriously think and act on unity from the political parties and not load the schools? Isn't about time schools start giving focus on developing the individual?
KayVee
The STAR - Wednesday July 13, 2005
Aim for unity, schools told
SEREMBAN: Unity should be the main thrust of Malaysian schools to ensure the nation’s continued peace and stability, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
He said the younger generation must be given early opportunities to understand the meaning of unity through ways and practices that would ensure the people were united and lived in harmony.
“This is important. We want them to know what is unity. We understand there is a slight difference, as there are Chinese schools and also national schools.
“There are also students of different races in national schools but the number is small. As such unity must be promoted with activities that are beneficial to promoting unity,” he told reporters after launching the national-level Integration Plan for Student Unity at SJK (C) Chung Hwa near here yesterday.
Also present were Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, state executive councillors and senior officers of the education ministry and state education department.
Abdullah said unity must be imbued at an early stage, as today’s younger generation still had no prejudice against friends of different races and religions.
He ticked off parents who poisoned the minds of their children with unhealthy sentiments but said not all were responsible of such acts. He added that parents should support their children in activities that were aimed at promoting unity.
He said the older generation had long imbued the spirit of tolerance and avoided creating uneasiness among races, and this approach was adopted by the Government in various programmes aimed at promoting racial unity.
On the integration plan for student unity (Rimup) and its guidebook, Abdullah expressed hope that the programme would succeed in its objectives.
Rimup was introduced in 1986 when Abdullah was Education Minister. The programme, aimed at promoting racial unity through sports, co-curriculum and gotong-royong activities, was reactivated after nearly 20 years.
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