KUCHING – The Palestine Solidarity Week is not compulsory for schools and education institutions in Sarawak, said state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen.
“I have confirmed with the deputy education minister (Lim Hui Ying) that it is not compulsory for schools in Sarawak to organise the programme of Solidarity Palestine Week,” he said in a statement yesterday.
A circular issued by the Education Ministry on October 21 declared October 29 to November 3 as Palestine Solidarity Week and directed all schools in the country to conduct the programme.
“Such a directive has caused great concerns amongst all sectors in Sarawak.
“It is the stand of Sarawak DAP that the Education Ministry should not involve school students in the international political conflict of Palestine and Israel as the conflict is a very emotive and complicated issue. Anger and hatred are normally associated with such issues.
“These are not what we want our young children to get involved in during their childhood in schools,” the Stampin MP said.
In the dialogue between the education minister and government MPs on Wednesday in Parliament, Chong said he had made clear Sarawak DAP’s concerns and objections to such programmes being run in schools in the state.
“I have obtained confirmation from Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying that the programme is not compulsory for schools in Sarawak.
“While we all are against the atrocity of war and wish for peace, we do not want our children to get emotionally involved in the Palestine/Israel conflicts at such a young age.
“As it is now made clear that the programme is not compulsory for schools in Sarawak, I hope the management of the schools in Sarawak will not feel compelled by the directive to organise such programmes.”
Yesterday, the Education Ministry said the Palestine Solidarity Week was aimed at nurturing empathy and enlightening students who had been exposed to news on the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war waged by Israel on Palestine.
“This programme aims to educate students on humanitarian issues that include human rights and altruism. This includes empathy and concern for the suffering of others, regardless of race, religion or social status.
“Palestine Solidarity Week is a continuation of the noble values based on respect, love, responsibility and joy as taught in civic education at school. In addition, the programme allows the students to be exposed to cross-curriculum elements, especially those related to global sustainability.”
However, this directive received a mixed response from educationists and elected representatives. – October 27, 2023