‘Leave politics out of education’

Schools’ role as a platform to unite the people is an obligation, says Raja Nazrin

(NST) – RAJA Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah has cautioned certain quarters from being overzealous in championing education issues.

He said pursuing differing views and politicising the education system threatened unity and would eventually create a frayed society.

Instead, he said the education system needed to be understood, supported and strengthened so that all those involved could focus on producing a united society in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

“If overzealousness and politicking continue, we will see the evolving of one country, multi nations,” he said when opening the RM11.37 milllion SK Seri Samudera here yesterday.

Raja Nazrin said the agenda of the national education system should be moulded towards achieving the one country, one nation concept

“This is in line with 1Malaysia. It does not mean that the racial, language, religious and cultural interests of the various communities be sidelined. On the contrary, the objective would be to cherish the variety as a national asset — unity in diversity.”

As such, Raja Nazrin said schools should be the “prohibited zones” for all manner of politicking.

The role of a school as a platform to unite the people was an obligation, he said, and not an option.

He likened a school to a nursery, where the “seedlings” should be given space to achieve healthy growth and prevent them from falling prey to political experiments and games.

“We must not allow our children to become victims of excessiveness and politicking. The school should be a safe place for them to learn to be worthy Malaysians who cherish and respect the diversity of languages, religions and cultures.

“Schools should mirror the colours of Malaysia, the diversity that is us. Leaders at all levels must ensure that schools embody this world view.”