The introduction of Khat Jawi writing in schools is a very contentious issue at the moment.
In one way the MIC is very disheartened that among the myriad of serious challenges, problems and issues faced by the nation the current administration chooses to add to the distractions by creating the KHAT polemic.
It would be infinitely better if they focused their resources and attention on growing the economy, helping the people manage the continues increase in cost of living and fulfilling their promises of free education, no toll and shared prosperity instead of shared poverty.
There are many dimensions to the issue and the MIC’s education bereau would like to state some perspectives on the issue.
KHAT or any other subject matter that enhances and value adds to the quality of education should be encouraged.
That being said nothing should be forced if all the stake holders are not completely aboard.
Although the decision to introduce KHAT was made in 2014 yet at that time it was only a plan to introduce or “perancangan pengenalan” not a firm decision written in stone.
Furthermore to the best of my recollection it was specifically for national schools and not vernacular schools and there was sound reasoning for this.
First among which was that the standard of Bahasa Melayu in national schools was different from the standard of Bahasa Melayu in vernacular schools hence a blanket decision would not be suitable.
Secondly 2016 and 2017 Tamil school UPSR students about 20% failed Bahasa Melayu. This means they need to spend a year held back at remove or “peralihan” class.
Hence we introduced many measures to first solve this high failure rate but the introduction of KHAT would negate and wipe out all the forward momentum gained in overcoming the high BM failure rate.
The ministry should focus on solving this high failure rate in SJKT first before contemplating adding KHAT to the mixture which would make the situation even more untenable.
MIC would like to suggest the ministry take the DLP approach and allow the schools management, teachers, students and parents to collectively decide if they would like to implement it provided they have the necessary resources such as teachers capable of teaching it properly.
If we can implement such a system for a pivotal important international language such as English surely it can be done for KHAT as an artistic and historical part of Bahasa Melayu.
Education is such a fundamental foundation in creating a successful nation and MIC urges all parties to not politicise and sensationalise the issue but to take a calm collected approach by using the QUALITY of education as our guiding north star in making a decision on how best to move forward for the sake of our nation’s children and future.
P.Kamalanathan
