Politicians should stay out of school curriculum, Maszlee rebukes Khoo

Summary

• Former education minister Maszlee Malik criticises Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong’s proposal to include histories of all races in Malaysia in primary school textbooks, warning against political interference in curriculum matters.

• He urges politicians to avoid racial narratives in education, saying it could backfire and benefit those exploiting 3R issues.

Former education minister Maszlee Malik has rebuked Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong’s suggestion to teach the history of all races in Malaysia in primary school textbooks.

He said drafting the school curriculum not only involves subject matter experts but also experts in education, pedagogy, unity, sociology, and more.

Having politicians with no background in education or pedagogy intervene in the curriculum would only “poison” the situation, he said in a Facebook post today.

“I hope politicians would not politicise the issue of curriculum and national education with racial narratives.

“It would invite a pendulum effect from opponents. It would also give a free shot to those who often play with 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues for their political gain,” Maszlee said.

‘Unhelpful’

He was responding to Khoo, who raised the suggestion during parliamentary debates on Monday as a way to promote unity.

This prompted backlash from Umno Youth executive council member Wan Zuhir Ghazali, who said it is better to close vernacular schools to promote unity.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek responded to Khoo, saying the syllabus is determined by a special committee of experts and teachers.

“I take note of Kota Melaka’s concerns or views, but I would like to emphasise that all proposals regarding what historical events (are included in textbooks) are decided by this committee,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maszlee said it is “unhelpful” to the federal government for DAP to champion education issues from a racial lens.

He also noted that Khoo is in the same party as Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.

“Is he (Wong) not in the WhatsApp group for DAP MPs for Kota Melaka to ask questions?” Maszlee questioned.

Why not teach history of all M'sian races in primary school, DAP MP asks

Umno Youth exco: Closing SJKC, SJKT better for unity than inclusive history

Politicians exploiting race divide us, not vernacular schools - DAP Youth

YOURSAY | Vernacular schools foster unity better than politicians

LETTER | Umno Youth should learn from DAP about nation-building