KUALA LUMPUR – A teacher of a special education school in Meru, Klang has defended the use of toy guns and jihadi costumes among pupils in a show of support for the Palestinian struggle after the incident courted controversy.
Speaking anonymously to Scoop, the Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) school teacher said the move was solely intended to provide a visual representation of the concept of jihad.
The teacher explained that this activity was part of the school’s annual sports day and was not meant to instil a spirit of violence among the students.
Rather, it aimed to offer special education students in Years 4, 5 and 6 with a visual understanding of what jihad entails.
“Holding the toy weapon is purely symbolic and not indicative of violence. It does not imply any form of harm or violence towards others. Our intention is to provide a visual representation for PPKI children who may struggle to comprehend the meaning of jihad through verbal means,” the teacher said yesterday.
“When they hear the term ‘jihad,’ they often inquire about its meaning, so we utilise a visual approach. PPKI children tend to grasp concepts more effectively through visual aids rather than verbal explanations, and our intention is solely symbolic, nothing more.”
Addressing concerns about the songs played during the parade, the teacher noted that they were Palestinian jihad songs that have gained popularity.
Despite this, no students displayed changed behaviour or acted violently, reinforcing the non-violent nature of the event.
The images of students holding toy guns and donning headbands have garnered attention and criticism over the appropriateness of such activities in a school setting.
Yesterday, videos of schoolchildren and teachers carrying toy guns – while clad in the Palestinian colours of red, white, green and black and wearing keffiyeh scarves – made the rounds on social media, drawing brickbats from netizens.
In response, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the need for well-managed programmes fostering solidarity with Palestine in schools across the country.
Following this, the Education Ministry said it will not compromise on any elements of extremism and violence during the organising of Palestine Solidarity Week next week at schools and all educational institutions under its purview.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols containing provocative and confrontational elements is not permitted.
The ministry today had also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident at the school.
On Thursday, the ministry announced that all educational institutions under its purview will be holding Palestine Solidarity Week from October 29 to November 3, in response to the government’s stance of standing together to defend the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people.
It said the programme is to educate students about noble values that also include human rights, compassion, empathy and concern for the suffering borne by others regardless of race, religion or social status.
Following a similar decision in Sarawak yesterday, the Education Ministry also clarified that it is not mandatory for Sabah to conduct Palestine Solidarity Week activities in schools and other educational institutions within the state.
Several educationists previously contacted by Scoop regarding the ministry’s move to initiate the solidarity programme expressed mixed responses to the decision. Yesterday, the Parent Action Group for Education urged the Education Ministry to cancel Palestine Solidarity Week in all educational institutions.
Its chairman, Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, said this was to ensure that the issue would not escalate into a more serious controversy.
She said although the ministry had issued clear instructions to promote peace and humanity, some teachers and students have chosen to fuel the intifada struggle.
Similarly, 12 PKR lawmakers have called on the ministry to review its decision in organising the solidarity week in schools and public learning institutions.
In a joint statement today, the group made up of PKR MPs and assemblymen said the decision should be reviewed so that schools and public institutions are free from elements of vendetta and violence. – October 28, 2023