Education Ministry against display of extremism

KOTA KINABALU: The Education Ministry does not endorse any demonstration of support for Palestine that borders on the extreme, such as the waving of replica firearms or hoisting of banners inciting violence.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry said it is aware of a widely circulated video depicting the goings-on in a school that “displays extremism”.

“This programme is also outside the designated hours for the Palestine Solidarity Week and is not in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the ministry.

“The ministry encourages the organising of the Palestine Solidarity Week in institutions under its jurisdiction from Oct 29 to Nov 3,” it said, adding the event was meant to educate students on humanitarian values, encompassing human rights and universal peace.

“As such, the ministry will not compromise with any form of activities that tends towards extremism,” the statement read.

“The use of replica weapons, along with icons and symbols that contain elements of provocation and confrontation is forbidden.”

On the other hand, it added that permissible activities include the screening of shows that promote peace, poetry recitations, poster drawing contests, as well as donation collections for the Palestinians.

It also made clear that institutions under the ministry are asked to abide by the guidelines for organising of such activities.

Meanwhile, schools in Sabah have the discretion to decide whether they want to hold the Palestine Solidarity Week, says a state leader.

Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said he received this confirmation from Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying on Thursday.

He said Lim had, in a text message in response to his query on the matter, said that schools in Sabah and Sarawak have the flexibility to choose whether to hold the event.

Phoong, who is the Luyang assemblyman, believes that the solidarity week should not only be discouraged in Sabah but also throughout Malaysia.

He added that while he acknowledges the unity government’s stance in supporting Palestine on humanitarian grounds, he feels that schoolchildren should be left out of any involvement in the issue.

“Students should attend school to acquire knowledge rather than being involved in adult protests around the world or dragged into the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” he said yesterday.

On Thursday, the Education Ministry said in a statement that the Palestine Solidarity Week will be observed in institutions under its jurisdiction.

The directive has been met with strong objection, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, with various political and religious leaders and non-governmental organisations expressing worries of exposing schoolchildren to sentiments of hatred against other races and religions.

They also called on the government not to set a precedent for such an event in schools, which should be kept as a neutral and inclusive environment for all to gain knowledge and cultivate good values.