Virtues of civics education

SOME heartless and insensitive people have been sharing photos and videos on social media of the victims of the plane crash on the Guthrie Highway in Shah Alam last Thursday.

The images are going viral, exacerbating the grief felt by the victims’ family members. This has prompted the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to warn those concerned to stop sharing the images, saying that it not only offends the families of the victims but also violates the most basic principles and ethics.

These acts basically stem from a lack of sensitivity and civic consciousness, both of which are crucial for sustaining a harmonious social order.

Nowadays, we see people behaving badly everywhere we turn. They litter, beat traffic lights, bully, and sensationalize tragic events, among others.

Granted, every society will have its share of people who are selfish and anti-social, but that doesn’t mean we have to be complacent.

We have to develop and nurture our people, especially the young, to be caring, law-abiding, and sensitive to the needs of others.

These habits must be inculcated both at home and in school.

For the latter, civics must be reintroduced and made a compulsory subject in the school curriculum. Currently, civic education is not a separate subject but is integrated into others such as Bahasa Melayu, English, Islamic education, moral education and history.

Learning civics is important because it enables us to gain the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours needed to participate as responsible citizens in society.

Children who understand their rights and responsibilities are more likely to become informed and engaged citizens who participate in the democratic process.

When they learn about different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, they are more likely to embrace tolerance and understanding, thereby fostering a harmonious society.

Civics education also encourages critical thinking, as children learn to analyse information, differentiate between reliable and biased sources, and then make informed opinions, which are essential skills in today’s information-driven world.

By imparting an understanding of civic values, encouraging active participation, and nurturing a sense of responsibility, we can mould a generation of citizens who are not passive observers but the driving force behind a stronger, more just and inclusive society.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Kuala Lumpur