MCA queries MOE's tender process for national flag badges on school uniforms

Summary

• MCA has called on the Education Ministry to publicly disclose the names of companies involved in the tender process on national flag badges for school uniforms.

• The party's Education Consultative Committee deputy chairperson said the initiative must be coupled with other in-depth and proactive measures aimed at bettering students' understanding of national unity.

MCA has urged the government to act transparently in implementing the Education Ministry's new requirement regarding national flag badges for school uniforms.

MCA Education Consultative Committee deputy chairperson Felicia Wong Yin Ting said that while the move is a positive one amid a rise in racial and religious issues, questions remain over the initiative.

"How will the tender process for the production of these badges be conducted?" she questioned in a statement today.

"The Education Ministry should disclose the names of the companies awarded these contracts and provide details on the costs parents and guardians will need to pay."

She added that Putrajaya has a duty to prove that all government contracts go through a proper process and governance free from cronyism, nepotism or direct negotiation practices.

Wong also suggested that schools be given the autonomy to purchase the Jalur Gemilang badges from authorised suppliers who meet specifications established by the ministry.

New practice

In a ministry circular issued yesterday, the ministry said the guidelines for wearing the badges - effective April 21 - were approved by the cabinet on Feb 14.

The requirement is applicable to all government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges, and Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG), while other educational institutions are encouraged to adopt the practice.

The ministry will also provide two badges for free to all students of the 2025/2026 academic year.

Wong said that more proactive and in-depth measures are necessary to inculcate love and patriotism while also fostering unity, discipline and responsibility.

As such, she recommended the revision of schools' curriculum to instil values of mutual respect, goodwill and understanding.

"The five principles of the Rukun Negara, which are recited every week by school children, should also be clearly celebrated in civic education lessons," she added.

She noted that the history subject should also be more comprehensive to ensure students better understand the context of the nation's multicultural society.

She also expressed hope that the Education Ministry will not forget to address other important issues that remain unresolved, such as heavy school bags, teacher shortages, additional workloads for educators, smoking and vaping among students, bullying, and more.

Jalur Gemilang badge mandatory on school uniforms from April 21

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YOURSAY | Education system needs drastic transformation