Backbenchers point to history fading, education flip-flops
TWO Barisan Nasional backbenchers from SUPP yesterday expressed their full support on the move for the state government to gain autonomy on education.
Ding Kuong Hiing (BN – Meradong) in his debate speech said more history of Sarawak can be taught to local students who are now facing an imbalance of knowledge through the current education syllabus.
Ding also said our children are victims of ‘flip-flop policies’ of the Ministry of Education over the last 53 years where the history of Sarawak is slowly being omitted.
“Much is emphasised on the history of Malaya (Tanah Melayu) and not the history of Sarawak and Sabah,” said Ding in his maiden speech in the august House.
He also said school text books only portray a glimpse of Sarawakian history as if the state only exists after Malaya.
A generation of Sarawakians, he lamented, is also more well-versed in the history of Melaka as opposed to the history of the state prior to the arrival of the White Rajah.
“I do not object to the teaching on the Federation of Malaya but our country is Malaysia not Malaya. An error in the identity of our country is unacceptable,” he added.
If the current Sarawakian generation fails to reclaim our state history, there is no way for the future generation to claim the future.
He added that among the topics that should be taught more in Sarawak schools is the arrival of the White Rajah, the British colonial period, Sarawak Independence Day on July 22 and the road to the formation of the Malaysia Federation.
He also highlighted the need to improve on aid and expansion of agricultural projects in his constituency.
He said developments should be carried out comprehensively to elevate the people in Meradong.
On the other hand, Lo Khere Chiang (BN – Batu Kitang) said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was absolutely right in wanting Sarawak to have a say in the country’s education policy.
He pointed out that Sarawak, in its own uniqueness, needs to take the lead and be in control of its own education policies for consistency in the system, instead of following to the letter the changing of policies every time there is a new change in Education Minister.
“Our chief minister has rightfully pointed out that in a flip-flop system, the consequences will be on us and our future generations.
“It is therefore important that we maintain English in the teaching of Science and Mathematics in our schools. I have been informed that there have been changes in the use of English and Bahasa Malaysia in the UPSR exams again this year. This continued change in our education system and policies is certainly not healthy and is one of the main reasons for the poor level of performance of our students these days,” he said.
As such, he said English as the state’s language of instruction will certainly position Sarawak to tap its rich human resource, an invaluable ingredient to ensure the success of the economy and development of Sarawak and the country.
“Many parents in this country are unhappy with our education system and they are frustrated that they cannot do anything about it. This is one of the reasons why many send their children overseas for further education and the majority of these young and capable people have chosen to work there on graduation.
“This brain drain has had and is having a drastic and adverse effect on our country. If the education system in the country of their birth is improved, to meet the real needs of what they want for their offspring, they would gladly come home to Malaysia and give back to a country which has given so much to them. After all, home is where the family is and where you have developed a love affair with the local cuisines in your place of birth,” he said.
He quoted a World Bank report in 2014, which reported that in Malaysia for the year 2013, a total of 308,834 highly-skilled Malaysians have moved overseas and the trend is on the increase every year.
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