MIRI: Gabungan Parti Sarawak component, SUPP, has voiced displeasure over the directive instructing all schools to observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause in the wake of the Israel-Gaza war.
It called for the rescinding of the directive by the Education Ministry in light of the objections raised by many quarters across the state and country.
“We firmly assert that the federal government must refrain from entangling international politics and conflicts within the confines of our educational institutions,” asserted SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew in a statement.
He added that it is imperative for schools to maintain their neutrality, for it is within this neutrality that they can continue to provide an inclusive and harmonious environment for all students to acquire knowledge and foster virtuous values.
In Sarawak, the schools teach and inculcate good values to students, he said, adding, the teachers constantly remind them of the state’s multi racial and multi religious composition.
“We have indeed 34 ethnic groups, living in peace and harmony, have total respect for each other and total acceptance for one and other. Race and religion are never an issue in Sarawak.
“This is what the school should be, teaching and guiding our students to be positive and peace loving at all times,”he pointed out.
In this respect Ting said it is therefore wrong to poison the innocent minds of students, pointing to parents voicing their objections to the directive from the ministry.
They vehemently oppose the exposure of their young children to elements of racism, hatred, violence, death, and war, he said.
“We call upon the Federal Minister and Deputy Minister of Education to give serious consideration to this widespread rejection by the people and promptly instruct the ministry to rescind its directive.
“In the ongoing conflict, there is no absolute right or wrong, and both sides have suffered immeasurable losses, with countless loved ones falling victim to the conflict.
“As part of the international community, we have a moral obligation to demand an immediate ceasefire as a cessation in hostilities is vital to facilitate the delivery of essential provisions such as food, water, and humanitarian aid to the thousands of displaced victims in the region,” he said.
In a wider context Ting called for education autonomy to be given to Sarawak, asserting that it will give its best to students.
“SUPP would like to reiterate that the sooner the education autonomy is returned or given back to Sarawak the better,” he added.
