Kota Kinabalu, 14 Aug 2019 – Education policy should not be abused as a tool for political power wrestle, said Datuk Richard Yong We Kong, SAPP deputy president.
He said the latest education policy launched by the PH government has caused political tensions, namely introducing Islamic calligraphy (seni khat) in vernacular schools syllabus. The Education Ministry also intends to incorporate the democracy and electoral system into the middle school syllabus.
“These non-academic “courses” have even spawned a crisis of ethnic tension, and even DongZong, a non-government education organization has been dragged into the whirlpool.
An organization that is committed in education development and nation building should not be dragged into political conflicts and made a target by political enthusiasts!”
Yong said parents are sending their children to school with a sole purpose, for them to learn something useful lifelong, so that the younger generation can earn a living and have better life in the future.
He said there are many aspects in education system need to be improved urgently. While strengthening and update the knowledge base of science and math, other auxiliary subjects such as basic financial management and self-confidence improvement, can be taught as well.
He said the education policy should be based on ethic development and set “shaping a competitive new generation” as the main direction, so that children can reach out to tap the global economy-led trend.
“We strongly oppose the attempt by the PH government stacked on the next generation education, for wrestle of power between the political parties, which will hinder Sabah development and progress.”
In Sabah, various ethnic communities live in harmony. The federal government shall not use the Malaya issue to incite the mood of Sabahans, for their political gain.
In the long run, to protect Sabah from the conflict in Malaya, Sabah should have autonomy to manage its own resources, without interference from the central government.
“With autonomy, Sabah can manage and formulate an education policy that can keep pace with the global advancement”