Published on: Friday, February 10, 2006 |
Kota Kinabalu: Education Minister Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said values pertaining to Islam, Christianity, Confucianism and other religions should be strengthened within the present curriculum in schools.
He said religious values are universal values being practised by everybody.
"So, instead of introducing a new subject, we could seek ways to inject and instil these values through classes that are already in existence," he told Daily Express, recently.
Hishammuddin said (Tan Sri) Lee Lam Thye is looking at the issue of values in the context of only religion.
"But I have to examine it in the context of time factor, the schools factor and the ability of the teachers to teach.
So when you talk or suggest something like this, you have to answer three things - firstly, whether there are enough classrooms (which is the hardware); secondly, they have the curriculum (courseware) which needs to be looked into; and thirdly, do you have the teachers to teach the students?
"Unless I can satisfy these three things, it is impossible for me to introduce anything."
The Minister was asked to comment on Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Deputy Chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye's call for re-instatement of religious education in schools as it used to be in Mission schools, instead of moral education.
During his recent visit to Sabah, Lee had expressed his hope that the Federal Minister of Education and in particular, the Federal Cabinet, would look into the issue.
"In particular, I would address this question to our Prime Minister. Personally, I feel there is no harm to allow students who are Catholics or Christians to have religious education like Muslim students, who have Islamic Studies.
"This is one way in which we can help to build a truly multi-religious country, not forgetting the fact that Islam is the official religion of the country."
According to Hishammuddin, everybody wants to include every possible subject within the available time span.
"That's impossible within the time frame that we have. We have to look at the existing curriculum. It is impossible to incorporate what (Datuk) Shahrizat wants on sexuality and aspects involving women.
"It's almost impossible to accommodate (Dr) Max who wants a special subject for unity. Pak Lah wants road safety to be incorporated into the curriculum and (Datuk) Chan Kong Choy has asked me to look into that.
"If there is enough time, I would love to see the inclusion of every subject." He noted that even though the basic subjects are being accommodated, it is becoming a very difficult task.
