Twenty-nine pupils who participated in the anti-Internal Security Act (ISA) mass protest on Aug 1 have been let off with a warning.

Should they be repeat offenders, suspension is imminent, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said today.

Besides the stern warning, he said the students would also be given counselling at their respective schools.

He said initial investigations revealed that some of the pupils were used by members of opposition parties to take part in the rally by providing buses to ferry them to the location, as well as cash incentives.

"We don't want them (pupils) to be affected by negative influences because some of them, when questioned, admitted they were paid (for their participation).

"Children like it when they get cash payments," Mohd Puad told reporters after launching the Malaysian Historical Society's 54th council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

A total of about 600 protesters were arrested, including 44 juveniles .

The massive demonstration saw the police firing tear-gas and water cannons at more than 20,000 people who took it to the streets urging the government to abolish the controversial security law, which allows detention without trial.

History subject to include local personalities

Meanwhile, on the teaching of History to Level Two pupils in Primary 4, 5 and 6 scheduled for 2012, Dr Mohd Puad said the subject would contain history of local personalities and origins of particular areas.

"We must have a guideline because we want to teach about personalities with calibre. We don't want to talk about village chiefs who might have been involved in a court case," he said.

He said the subject would be taught in a different method, with interactive approaches such as contests, debates and quizzes, adding that the pioneer project was being implemented at 500 schools nationwide.

- Bernama