MCA Youth objects to compulsory learning of Jawi in Chinese schools
MCA Youth chief Wong Siaw Ting has reiterated the wing's stand in opposing compulsory learning of Jawi in Chinese schools next year.
"I wish to reiterate that the MCA Youth is not against the learning of Jawi but...
MCA Youth chief Wong Siaw Ting has reiterated the wing's stand in opposing compulsory learning of Jawi in Chinese schools next year.
"I wish to reiterate that the MCA Youth is not against the learning of Jawi but it should not be included in the Bahasa Malaysia textbooks," she said at the 55th MCA Youth annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur, today.
"However, (Jawi) should not be included in the textbooks of the SJK (C) as mandatory. Contrary, it should be viewed as art appreciation and research," she said.
By doing so, Wong said, the students will be more interested to learn and see it as an exchange of cultures.
In August, the government drew flak for announcing the introduction of khat (Jawi calligraphy) for Year 4 vernacular school pupils next year.
Later, the government decided that the Jawi lesson would only be implemented with the agreement of parents and members of the parent-teacher associations (PTAs).
Wong said the Chinese schools' board should be allowed to decide whether its primary schools should implement Jawi lessons.
She, however, said the Education Ministry was adamant in implementing the Jawi lessons, judging on how the ministry treated the representatives of Dong Jiao Zong yesterday.
Yesterday, Dong Jiao Zong representatives slammed the Education Ministry for making them waiting for about 90 minutes before accepting their memorandum.
"We cannot open such floodgates in Chinese primary schools. MCA Youth will defend Chinese education and we will not back off," Wong added.
Meanwhile, the MCA Youth chief proposed that there was a need to push the concept of local elections nationwide to enable the youth to be more involved in politics.
She also urged the MCA Youth to be a constructive Opposition party which can take over the government at anytime.
