MIC president S Samy Vellu's proposal to replace moral studies with religious studies for non-Muslim pupils in primary schools has been welcomed by Penang Indian leaders.

The leaders, who are urging the government to implement it immediately, said such a move would enrich and strengthen the future generation with strong moral values and spiritual knowledge.

Commenting on this, Penang MIC chief Dr K Rajapathy said many Hindus today, especially the youth, lack even basic knowledge in the religion due to the lack of accessibility and availability of proper teachings.

"By replacing moral education with religious studies at primary schools, Hindus can be nurtured from young with the spiritual knowledge and virtues," he added.

In making his proposal at the 27th Malaysia Hindu Sangam annual general meeting in Petaling Jaya last week, Samy Vellu said the government should seriously look into replacing moral education with religious studies, as it would help overcome social ills among students.

"School children have not benefitted from the present syllabus because the subject failed to address the heart of issue.

"Religious studies will help overcome social ills among Hindu pupils and youths by educating students about positive and negative aspects of problems they may face in their future.

"Besides the knowledge, religious studies would enrich them with resilience, confidence and leadership qualities," said the MIC president, who is also works minister.

Samy Vellu plans to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Shortage of teachers

The Malaysian Hindu Sangam, which has long campaigned for religious studies in schools, has expressed full support for the MIC leader's proposal.

Its president A Vaithilingam said religious studies would strengthen pupils' moral values, religious and racial tolerance, spiritual knowledge and economic independence.

Meanwhile, Rajapathy said Penang MIC members would fully back the party president on the issue.

To overcome the shortage of teachers, he suggested that the government train present Hindu teachers, scholars and volunteers from Hindu- based organisations.

"Scholars and volunteers with in-depth knowledge should be recruited and trained with basic teaching skills to overcome the manpower shortage.

"The ministry should hold discussions with these non-government organisations on the matter," he said.

Contacted later, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) Penang chief Gary V Nair concurred with Rajapathy that NGO volunteers and religious scholars can be mobilised to overcome the shortage.

However, he said it should only be a short-term measure.

In the long run, he said the government should have a fully trained and highly qualified pool of professional teachers.

Nair said religious studies for non-Muslims should be elevated to diploma and degree programmes at local colleges and universities.

"This would develop a future generation of people who were rich with religious and spiritual knowledge. The nation can benefit from it in a long run," he added.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.