EDUCATORS must take an active role in shaping students into global citizens as classrooms cannot remain detached from international conflicts and geopolitical developments.
Veteran educator Lim Tou Boon said today’s interconnected world meant events in one region would inevitably have ripple effects elsewhere.
“What happens in one part of the world actually has an impact on us.
“It is just a matter of time,” he said during a dialogue session organised by Stellar International School in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Lim, also a member of the school’s board of governor, cited the ongoing crisis in Iran as an example, noting that the disruptions linked to conflict had already begun affecting daily life, particularly through rising costs.
“Airfares have gone up significantly. A return ticket from Kuala Lumpur to London that cost about RM3,500 three months ago is now over RM8,000.
“Increases in fuel prices also have a broader impact on goods and services,” he said in response to a question on whether educators should avoid discussing sensitive global issues with their students.
Lim said taking a passive approach would be a disservice to students.
Instead, he said teachers should guide students to form informed opinions and understand their role in a globalised society.
“One of the challenges I find among Malaysian students is that they often do not have an opinion on global issues.
“They think if something is happening far away, it does not affect them,” said Lim.
He emphasised that young people should be encouraged to become a “voice of conscience”, particularly on environmental, political and economic issues.
“Voices from around the world will eventually be heard, and leaders will have no choice but to listen,” he said.
“However, such engagement should not take the form of violence or unrest because that goes against what education stands for.
“It is about understanding what is right and wrong, and expressing that responsibly.”
Lim also underscored the importance of teaching history beyond just memorisation, stressing that it provided critical lessons on leadership and accountability.
“Conflicts and wars are not new.
“But when students truly understand history, they will see that no dictator or tyrant who oppresses people lasts forever.
“Eventually, the dictator is overthrown because of the voices of the people.
“It is a reminder that leadership is a responsibility to serve,” he added.
Meanwhile, the school’s group founder and chief executive officer Daniel Loh Han Yen said the session marked the organisation’s first podcast-style dialogue.
He described Lim as an experienced education leader who had previously served as president of Taylor’s College and had worked on international education initiatives.
Loh said that Lim had also been invited by Dr Seet Ai Mee, who previously served as Singapore’s minister of state for education, to help develop a prototype education model for the Cambodian government. The model was successfully implemented.
