Teach children about love and compassion

I WRITE as a concerned Malaysian who believes in the importance of shaping our future generation with values of love and respect rather than hatred.

The Education Ministry’s decision to organise the Palestine Solidarity Week in all education institutions across the nation was aimed at teaching our students about empathy and compassion towards those who are suffering regardless of their backgrounds.

However, what we witnessed in some videos was quite the opposite. It seemed as if our young minds were being instructed to hate a particular country, exemplified by the disheartening act of stomping on its flag. Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has admitted that some of the activities have gone overboard.

Hate, animosity and resentment are not innate emotions in children. They must be taught and, regrettably, that’s what has occurred in some schools.

When teachers and educators target children for hatred, they teach more than just judgment and contempt for the other party. These negative emotions can extend into adulthood, leading the child to become a person who knows how to hate in general.

The development of children into adults is shaped by both their inherent nature and the lessons taught by their parents and teachers.

Teaching a child to hate can lead to various consequences, including a negative or judgemental personality, aggressive or defiant behaviour, and difficulty trusting others.

Once the seeds of hate are planted, they can give rise to a significantly damaged person, and reversing the effects will be an incredibly challenging and time-consuming process.

Let us as a society commit to nurturing love, respect and empathy in our children instead of hatred. It is essential that we provide them with the foundation to become positive and compassionate individuals who can contribute to a more understanding and harmonious world.

DR POLA SINGH

Kuala Lumpur