SPM must-pass: Who writes History?
When they start teaching patriotism in History class, what guarantee is there that teachers in sekolah kebangsaan will not echo the prejudices of Umno Minister Zahid, or the Perkasa-friendly Minister Puad? Indeed, any foreboding that the contents of the History curriculum will become even more subjective is a fear well founded.
Written by Helen Ang, CPI
Yesterday, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi implied that Chinese and Indians are possibly not patriotic enough, hence their failure to enlist in the armed forces. He told Parliament during question time that this could be the reason why military recruits are mostly Malay.
Interestingly enough, the Education Ministry plans to incorporate elements of ‘patriotism’, in addition to ‘citizenship’ and ‘the constitution’, into the History syllabus. This was announced by deputy education minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi. Not incidentally, Puad is someone who has been vocal in his support of Perkasa as well as graced functions organized by the ultra Malay movement.
When they start teaching patriotism in History class, what guarantee is there that teachers in sekolah kebangsaan will not echo the prejudices of Umno Minister Zahid, or the Perkasa-friendly Minister Puad? Indeed, any foreboding that the contents of the History curriculum will become even more subjective is a fear well founded.
There is an immediate reason for the planned expansion of the subject coverage. In year 2013, students sitting SPM must pass History, Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly. That such an important policy disclosure was made at the Umno headquarters on an occasion attended only by party members is telling of who calls the shots and who will control implementation.
This is a far-reaching development. Previously science students in upper secondary could forgo taking the subject but not anymore once it’s made compulsory. The stricture means that a student failing history will fail the whole SPM. If it is to follow the same requirement as for the compulsory Bahasa Melayu, then a student without a credit in History (although doing well in his other subjects) will still miss out on getting grade 1.
It’s uncommon anywhere else in the world for History to be elevated to most-important exam paper. Why is the government (read: Umno) taking such an unprecedented step?
Teaching minorities a lesson
Utusan headlined its Oct 29 front page ‘Ramai buta sejarah’ (Many are ignorant of history) and followed up with the Awang Selamat Sunday editorial saying: “It looks like without [awareness of] history, our rakyat will be no different from foreign pendatang”.
The Umno mouthpiece added that although the contributions of the various races towards achieving Independence is acknowledged, “nonetheless the reality is that the Malays are most dominant”. The paper’s polemics merely underscores the politics being played out by the adults over what being ‘Malaysian First’ entails.
Consequently the grown-ups have decided to settle the score showing who’s boss by transferring the venue (for the rhetoric) to schools, and impressing upon malleable young minds that to call themselves Malaysian, they need to understand the history of Malaysia.
Umno’s track record should clue us in as to what can be expected of the Citizenship, Patriotism and Constitution components in SPM History. After all, Najib Razak has already pronounced Malaysia to have fundamentally a two-tier and unequal citizenship. The Biro Tata Negara orientation on patriotism is common knowledge.
As for understanding the constitution, it’s obvious which of its articles will be stressed to Fifth Formers. A pertinent and current example: The sovereignty of the constitution and areas which cannot be challenged are “the matters touching on Islam, the position of the Malay rulers, the Malays and the Malay language”. On Oct 31, Bernama reported that the Conference of Rulers had issued a royal statement to the effect.
More views about the dominance of Malays and Islam were forthcoming from prominent academic Chandra Muzaffar, who is also chairman of the board of trustees of the 1Malaysia Foundation.
