For goodness sake use the real RM

For patriotism, classrooms to display pictures of all leaders except from Pakatan BY LOOI SUE CHERN AND TRINNA LEONG

                   

The Education Ministry has decided that our schoolchildren need a dose of patriotism and has directed schools to display pictures of Barisan Nasional leaders. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 9, 2014.

     

Putrajaya has quietly told all schools to display the portraits of federal and state leaders in classrooms to instil patriotism, but those in Pakatan Rakyat-run (PR) states can only put up pictures of the state ruler or governor.

The Malaysian Insider learnt that a circular from the Education Ministry has been sent via the WhatsApp message platform or by visiting district education officers, saying schools are “encouraged” to put up photos of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Raja Permaisuri Agong, prime minister, education minister and menteri besar or chief minister.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the deputy prime minister, are from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government while their foes PR rule Kelantan, Penang and Selangor.A quick check by The Malaysian Insider revealed that some schools in Penang and Selangor have the portraits in some classrooms and along corridors.

Education officials have welcomed the unofficial directive but a parents’ group has said the Education Ministry is wasting its money and should instead focus on better training for teachers as suggested in the National Education Blueprint.

Penang education department director Datuk Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin told The Malaysian Insider that the pictures would help students know their national leaders and this was in line with their civics and citizenship lessons.

"The only issue that may come up is the cost of putting up the pictures in every classroom. If we have the funds, we can ask for official portraits to be framed.

"But it is good enough for now if teachers use cut-outs from newspapers and put them up on the notice boards in their classrooms to help pupils recognise the monarch and leaders," Ahmad Tarmizi said.

The director also added that in PR states, the state education department has the option of applying to the ministry to include the photo of its menteri besar or chief minister to be placed in classrooms.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan agreed that the portraits would help instil patriotism and increase awareness among pupils.

“South Korea has been doing it. It is good to inculcate this kind of knowledge in our children,” he said, but expressed uncertainty over the supply of pictures.

According to Hashim, suppliers have already approached some schools offering a RM10 package that includes all five portraits. Schools would have to fork out several hundred ringgit on portraits alone.

“Since this is not compulsory, if the school does not have enough funds for it, they should not be forced to do it,” he said.

But education advocacy movement Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim disagreed with the move, saying the ministry should know its priorities.

“The Education Ministry was given a large allocation and they should put it to good use and focus on teacher training, which was what they highlighted in the national education blueprint,” she said.

Noor Azimah also disagreed it would help instil patriotism in schoolchildren.

“This is not necessary. The portraits are already in school halls, administration and teacher’s offices.

“The root of the problem of our education system is the quality of teachers. So let’s spend the money wisely.”

In Sarawak, Desmond Davidson reported that schools have not received any directive on the matter.

Sarawak Teachers' Union president Jisin Nyud welcomed the idea but questioned the feasibility of implementing this in a rural state.

“It's a good idea. Maybe not so much to instil patriotism, but at least pupils would get to know their king and queen, their education minister or chief minister,” he said.

“But who is going to pay for the purchase and cost of sending these photos to schools in rural areas?”

Jisin said most of the small rural primary schools could not afford it.

“If there is such a directive, then the government should consider footing the cost of sending these photos to the rural schools.” – January 9, 2014.

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Putrajaya should be brave enough to give directive openly instead of playing cat and mouse.

My take is why bother about the King, Queen, PM and other pariah dogs when we have the real RM all along. This RM was free flowing before and during 13th GE.

                   

                                               R osmah            M ansor           (Malaysia Ringgit)

This is more appropriate to hang in classrooms since the UMNO government encourages and are teaching our children to be corrupted like them.