We want khat lessons deferred, says Chinese education group after Teo says “consensus” reached

KUCHING: A Chinese education group have refuted Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching’s announcement yesterday that they have reached a consensus on the teaching of khat or Jawi calligraphy for Year 4 pupils from next year.

Dong Zong said in a statement which was apparently issued after the meeting with Teo yesterday that they had clearly stated their firm position in opposing the teaching of khat in national-type schools.

“The Chinese and Tamil groups explained that since five years ago, the Standard Five Bahasa Malaysia textbook only introduced students to the basics of the Jawi script, and does not actually ask them to learn it (neither writing, homework or examinations). This is acceptable.

“We reaffirmed our position to the deputy minister that the introduction of Jawi should be deferred pending more discussions. They need to engage stakeholders to discuss this before rolling out Jawi basics in schools,” said the statement as reported by MalaysiaKini today.

They also said they agreed that the relevant education groups must be consulted about any major or sensitive education issues which involve the different ethnic groups.

“We must have more positive and open communication in order to build a good and comprehensive education system,” they said.

Bernama reported yesterday that a discussion between 12 non-governmental organisations and Teo had come to an agreement on the introduction of khat calligraphy in primary schools next year.

“It only comprises Khat calligraphy and not the learning of Jawi (language). That, I think clears the picture. We have a consensus on that. We don’t have any doubt on that,” she reportedly told reporters after the meeting.

Teo also said the second thing agreed on in the discussion was that students would not be evaluated for khat via examinations next year.