Datuk Richard Wee
KUCHING: The Education Ministry should be focusing on more important issues that can improve the country’s education standard rather than on minor ones like introducing khat or Jawi calligraphy, says Datuk Richard Wee.
The president of the Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Associations felt that the ministry is wasting its time and energy on trivial matters like black shoes and khat, instead of more pressing matters such as recognition of Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
“The khat issue is a minor issue. The Education Ministry should focus on more important issues like the recognition of UEC, upgrading and rebuilding of dilapidated schools in Sarawak, and uplifting the English standard of our SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) and STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia).
“It is equally important for the ministry to improve the standard and quality of our teachers and also the development and implementation of the National Education Blueprint and Policy,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Wee, who is also Management Committee for Kuching Chung Hua Middle School No.1, 3 and 4 chairman, pointed out that the ministry had placed a stop-order on computer classes for primary schools.
“They are even prohibiting computer classes for primary schools as part of their normal class and only allow them to have the computer classes as an extra-curricular activity.
“Instead, they (ministry) now want to have khat calligraphy,” he said, adding the move to introduce khat has created unnecessary anxiety and concern among parents and the community.
“They are causing the society to lose confidence in the overall strategy and the direction of our education policy.”