KUCHING: The Education Ministry should retract the directive issued to all educational institutions under its purview to hold a Palestine Solidarity Week.
In making the call, Association of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions President Datuk Jonathan Chai said the government has made a decision on this issue and also pledged financial support for the victims in the conflict, which, in his opinion, is sufficient.
“Of course, we also condemn any act of terrorism, any aggression or violence against civilians and any attack on hospitals and schools in the conflict or in any war,” he said.
However, he said, school children being minors should not be dragged into this polemic.
He also stressed that it was crucial to avoid ‘polluting’ the sacred school premises with any political and religious elements.
“As at this juncture and to the best of my knowledge, none of the Chung Hua primary schools in the state has carried out any activity related to the Palestine Solidarity Week,” Chai said when contacted on Monday.
Last Thursday, the Education Ministry announced that all educational institutions under its purview would be holding Palestine Solidarity Week, from Oct 29 to Nov 3, in response to the government’s stance of standing together to defend the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people.
However, the ministry said, it would not compromise on any element of extremism, radicalism, violence and replica weapons which should be strictly prohibited within the school premises.
Chai said it was indeed very disturbing to have seen the pictures and videos that went viral in social media in the past few days, showing certain overzealous teachers carrying replica weapons and students were being instigated to step on the flag labelled as enemy.
“In order to avoid the repeat of any such incidents and to accede to the appeals by various NGOs in the country, I think the ministry should retract its circular,” he said.
