For patriotism, classrooms to display pictures of all leaders except from Pakatan
By Looi Sue Chern and Trinna Leong, The Malaysian Insider
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.
