Teaching unity through diversity

Coming together: Keng Cheng (back row, ninth from right) with guests and students at the launch of the school’s National Day celebrations. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

NATIONAL Day celebrations can be used not only to instil patriotism among students, but also to help them understand, respect and engage with communities and cultures beyond their own.

Embracing this approach, Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur, recently held a 10-day celebration to mark the 69th National Day.

Keng Cheng

The activities, which took place from Aug 18 to 27, were designed to encourage students to appreciate Malaysia’s multicultural identity. They included traditional and popular Malaysian games like congkak, batu seremban, eraser fight, hopscotch and a sack race.

There was also an exhibition showcasing the history and formation of Malaysia, along with student-curated posters. Booths selling traditional Malaysian food like nasi lemak and roti jala, kuih such as ketayap, onde-onde and karipap, as well as ais krim Malaysia, were also set up.

School chairman Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng said such celebrations are important in broadening students’ understanding of Malaysia beyond the conventional “three races” narrative.

Hong Yu

“Students should not grow up only knowing their own race, religion and culture. They need opportunities to understand the people around them,” he told StarEdu after officiating at the opening ceremony of the school’s National Day celebrations on Aug 18.

Citing the May 13, 1969, racial riots, Lim said exposing students to different cultures and perspectives is also important in preventing divisions from resurfacing in the future.

He added that multiculturalism is actively practised at the school through activities such as arts and dance, as well as exposure to different cultures and religions.

One of the school’s National Day initiatives is The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) exhibition.

Munisha Diong

Student Chloe Lim Hong Yu, 16, who helped prepare the exhibition boards, said National Day celebrations in schools serve as an important reminder for students who may become caught up with schoolwork and daily routines.

“School events and performances help bring the occasion to their attention and build excitement,” she said.

She added that such celebrations offer a timely reminder of the importance of embracing Malaysia’s diversity and fostering greater understanding among its communities.

English Language teacher Munisha Diong Ramachandran said the Star-NiE programme, which has been implemented at the school for 10 years, provides students with an avenue to express their patriotism and creativity through activities such as poster-making and exhibitions.

“At home, they are always on their phones and gadgets.

“But being able to access information through paper form, and having access to something outside the syllabus, is an advantage of having physical newspapers,” she said.

Yew

Munisha Diong also stressed the role of schools in cultivating students’ reading habits, particularly as they increasingly rely on digital devices for information.

Another student Yew Shang Yi, 16, said the programme gives students additional motivation to read and explore the newspaper.

“With NiE, we get to open the paper and find interesting things to do projects on.

“Newspapers are a good source of information where we can read up on current events,” he said.