School spirit: Pupils of SK Subang Jaya sharing a light moment as they show each other where the new Jalur Gemilang badge will be pinned on their uniform. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
PETALING JAYA: It is a beneficial idea for students to wear a Jalur Gemilang badge, but more needs to be done to instil patriotism, say experts and stakeholders.
Educationist and former Universiti Malaya professor Tan Sri Dr T. Marimuthu says the norms and values taught and practised in schools are more important than badges.
He said that while he supports wearing the badge, it is just a symbol.
“What is more important is the deeper sense and values being taught to the children, especially in the curriculum.”
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He said students spend a lot of time in school, and it is also where they internalise many values from their teachers, peers and school culture.
On Wednesday, the Education Ministry issued a circular stating that, from April 21, all students at educational institutions under its purview must wear the Jalur Gemilang badge on their uniforms.
The initiative, to be carried out in stages, involves all government schools, government-aided schools, Matriculation Colleges and Teacher Education Institutes in Malaysia.
It aims to instil patriotism and a love for the country among students and educators, it said.
Each student will receive two free Jalur Gemilang badges to be worn on their school uniforms.
Malaysian Tamil School Education Development and Welfare Association president M. Vetrivelan said the meaning and symbolism of the flag should also be taught from Year One.
“This can also be taken further to teach the children how Malaysia gained her independence,” he said.
Service learning is also vital to fostering the muhibbah spirit, says Universiti Malaya (UM) Service Learning Malaysia-University for Society (Sulam) coordinator and Service Learning International initiator Prof Dr Vishalache Balakrishnan.
She added that service learning is learnt through community projects or volunteer work, which allows students to develop empathy, understanding and other soft skills.
“Primary school students and preschoolers can be introduced to service learning by helping to clean schools, plant vegetation and care for public amenities in schools and neighbourhoods,” she said.
She said that in secondary schools, students can learn about the country’s history, appreciate their teachers and leaders, understand others’ cultures, and be taught to respect each other.
Meanwhile, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said wearing a badge is not just symbolic but also an essential step in strengthening national identity and unity.
“As an organisation that always supports efforts to foster the spirit of patriotism among education workers, NUTP believes that this initiative will help instil a love of the country in schools,” he said yesterday.
MCA education consultative committee deputy chairperson Felicia Wong Yin Ting welcomed the initiative to instil unity and patriotism among the younger generation, especially when many sensitive issues related to race and religion arise.
“However, more proactive and in-depth efforts need to be taken in the long term, such as revamping the school syllabus to instil the values of mutual respect, tolerance and understanding.
“The five principles of the Rukun Negara that are recited every week by school students should also be detailed in the Civics subject,” she said in a statement.
She also called on the Education Ministry to reveal the companies receiving the contract and the tender process.
She also suggested allowing schools to buy the Jalur Gemilang badge from certified suppliers.
