KAJANG: Parents should continue using the current pin-style Jalur Gemilang badges that were provided for free, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She was responding to parent requests for sewable Jalur Gemilang badges as they were concerned that the pin-on versions could pose a risk of injury to students who are not yet adept at handling sharp objects.
“We’ve already given them out for free – the type that you pin on.
“Use those first,” she said after visiting SMK Convent Kajang for the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results announcement.
The use of the Jalur Gemilang badge on school uniforms, implemented in stages across all educational institutions under the purview of the Education Ministry, began on Monday.
The initiative covers government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges and the Malaysian Teacher Education Institute, with the aim of nurturing a strong sense of patriotism among both students and educators.
Separately, Fadhlina also addressed concerns about Malaysia expanding its elective language offerings in schools to include Mandarin, Tamil and Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese.
She said that all foreign languages offered in schools are introduced as electives, and that there is no intention to sideline any language.
“There are German, French and many other languages.
“In vernacular schools, Tamil and Mandarin remain core languages, alongside Bahasa Melayu as the main medium.
“I don’t see any issue because the language we are proposing is merely an alternative or elective,” she said.
