YOURSAY | ‘If the Jawi content is only three pages and not compulsory, why introduce it?’

Guan Eng: If can learn Jawi in three pages, we are geniuses

Anonymous #37634848: Why are some people scared of learning Jawi? It was the language used for writing in this country prior to the introduction of the romanised Bahasa Melayu. So why can’t we introduce the original script in schools?

If we truly have the national spirit, we should support the move. Jawi’s presence in the education system will not harm anyone. It is just an additional knowledge.

Melati Rumi: Jawi is the predecessor to the present rumi (romanised) alphabet.

The fact that some Malaysians object to their children learning the meaning of the Jawi words contained in the nation’s official emblem, on banknotes and stamps, is worrying.

This simply shows that ignorance and racism are present in every ethnicity.

Jack Lim: If one cannot learn Jawi in three pages, then its presence in the textbooks is a trivial matter.

So why was the issue blown up by various parties, and it was being talked about and argued by everybody for months?

Existential T: What is the point of exposing students to just three pages of Jawi in Bahasa Malaysia textbooks in all schools, including vernacular schools.

The public can see very clearly this is just the first step of a bigger plan. Next year, it could be six pages, then one chapter, then a book, then a syllabus.

Anonymous 0011: Ulterior motives aside, anyone with some grey matter should know the country's priorities when it comes to the education sector.

At the top of the list should be items like improving the educational standards with relevant subjects and syllabus, to increase job worthiness of students, to move the country into the digital and AI age, to inculcate and enhance students’ character and work ethics, and to constantly retrain teachers to be up-to-date.

Don't waste time with somebody’s “irrelevant idea” as the future of our students is at stake.

Henri: At present, students face a frightening shortage of time to gain the required amount of knowledge.

As such, the knowledge provided by schools and textbooks must be absolutely essential and not just to satisfy any individual’s personal dreams, ambitions or political careers.

Rupert16: If the Jawi content in the Bahasa Malaysia textbook is going to be only three pages and not compulsory for learning, why introduce it in the first place? Has the Education Ministry got nothing better to do?

Why did the DAP and its deputy education minister, Teo Nie Ching, become apologists to this Jawi nonsense? This is exactly why the people are getting angry with DAP.

Not Giving Up On Hope: DAP general-secretary Lim Guan Eng said that nobody without prior knowledge of the language can master Jawi over three pages.

Normally, I would have encouraged others to learn as many languages as possible. But not in this situation when three pages of Jawi is included in the Bahasa Malaysia textbooks for students.

It is a known fact that the standard of education in Malaysia is declining. How can this decline be arrested or the students’ knowledge enhanced by introducing Jawi in the Bahasa Malaysia syllabus for all schools?

The rakyat had looked forward to the Pakatan Harapan government introducing initiatives which will raise our standard of education.

So far, nothing significant has been done. If the trust level towards the government is low today, it is because nothing is being done to move forward in a positive direction.

The people did not vote in Harapan just to see former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his cronies in court.

We also expected Harapan to start correcting many of the mistakes of the past regime, especially in the education sector.

Anonymous 770241447347646: Let us face the facts - whether it is three pages or three sentences of Jawi lesson included in the Bahasa Malaysia textbook, it is a question of whether it will help the students in any way to improve in their careers or life.

If there is nothing to gain, or it will not be helpful in their future careers, then why introduce it at all.

In future, if there is any necessity for Jawi ever getting introduced in full, it should not be made compulsory for all students but as an optional subject for those who intend to study it.

Kleeo: Chinese Malaysians frequently claim that there is distrust and prejudice against them by the Malay Malaysians.

This whole sorry saga regarding the introduction of Jawi exhibits all too clearly that the pot is calling the kettle black.

The truth is, we all have a tendency to think tribally and harbour biases against other races. If we are conscious of it, then we can temper our worst sentiments. Malaysians have a long way to go.

CH Y: Indeed, the Jawi issue proves that we are a nation divided by walls of prejudice and scared of our own shadows.

Anonymous 1527925538: Some people just keep spreading misleading and unfounded fear of the three pages of introduction to Jawi for all students, including for those in vernacular schools.

They point out ghosts when there are none. As mentioned by Lim, the learning of the three pages is not compulsory.

Anonymous b3cdcd05: The move to introduce Jawi script in vernacular schools was a BN-government initiative but the regime had shelved its implementation due to its sensitivities.

Therefore, why is the Harapan government overly eager to implement what was withheld by the BN regime?

In what way is this Jawi script relevant to Harapan’s election promise to revamp and improve the overall education standards?

Why is Jawi being forced down the throat of the Chinese and Tamil schools that do not see the need or relevance in relation to their curriculums?

Why drag vernacular schools that have stayed out of the fray into sensitive politics of language and religion that has polarised national schools?

And why drag parents, teachers, and students of vernacular schools, who are not the decision or policymakers in these schools, into the controversy by giving them the power to choose whether to teach and learn Jawi?

Enlighten: The sole intention of introducing Jawi in vernacular schools is to break the control of the schools' board of governors who are the defenders of the characteristic of vernacular schools.

The schools’ board of governors is the top authority for Chinese-medium schools. Even if not a single vernacular school proceeds to teach its students Jawi lessons after the teachers’ and parents’ votes, a precedence is set.

If the board can be sidelined in this Jawi issue which seems trivial, it can be sidelined for more important issues to come.

Anonymous f9ff4347: If the Education Ministry is serious about introducing Jawi lessons, then make it compulsory for students to learn.

Otherwise, don't introduce it. So much time was wasted on debating the issue but the final decision to make Jawi optional learning is disappointing.

It is just like the national service programme. So much effort and funds were spent by the BN government, only for the short-lived programme to be stopped.

Beman: Only three pages of Jawi in the textbook? How long does it take to go through the three pages? Why all the hassle if learning the three pages of Jawi is not compulsory?

If the real intention is to merely introduce Jawi as the predecessor of Bahasa Melayu, it can be done in one sentence. I think I just did it.

Dong Jiao Zong calls for 'no to Jawi' rally attendees to register

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