13mp Education That Upholds Human Dignity

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THE Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue (ACID) welcomes the assertion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) is not a conventional government blueprint but a concerted endeavour to embody the people’s aspirations and driven by the priority of upholding human dignity.
He added that “To realise this aspiration, the Government will build a social system that guarantees a decent and dignified life, not merely focused on access and material achievements, but one that reinforces the spiritual foundation, human values, and intellectual excellence of every citizen.
The prime minister’s desire to uphold human dignity seems to contradict the preoccupation of Malaysian major political parties and politicians on ethno-religious grievances and aspirations.
On the other hand while the aspiration to uphold human dignity, reinforcing spiritual, human values and intellectual excellence is noble, the prime minister has not laid out in practical terms how such a vision will materialise in a society that is very much conscious of ethno-religious identity that tends to be sectarian and dominating.
The younger generation are currently trapped by politics of ethnicity and religion of the major parties which does not reflect the broader dimension of human dignity.
The respect for human dignity in essence has a broad dimension of solidarity and respect for the dignity and rights of those who are poor and marginalised irrespective of race and religion.
No communities will feel marginalised in this context.
Such an understanding begins when education is not reduced to a utilitarian, sectarian and materialistic concept.
One has to progressively interpret the Rukun negara principle in the belief of God from the current static and conservative worldview that focuses on a particular religion to a broader world view of divine inclusivity that embraces all communities.
It is a pity that major ethno-religious-centric parties like UMNO and PAS continue to use race religion as a political bait that projects the belief in God in the Rukun Negara among sectarian lines.
In this regard it is vital that the Malaysian school and university education be transformed in reference to the belief in God in the Rukun Negara that empowers metaphysical education that embraces universal spiritual values that is embodied by major religions in the world.
Philosophy, spiritual contemplation, peacemaking, human solidarity and ecological integration should be core subjects that reflect the belief in God.
ACID believes that such an approach is the best way to reinforce the Malaysian spiritual foundation as stated by the prime minister.
A right balance between metaphysical and utilitarian education is crucial for a harmonious society built on mercy, justice, peace and solidarity.
Therefore it is hoped the current Malaysian government would transform our education in the spirit of Rukun Negara that respects human dignity.
The belief in God cannot be separated from the importance of upholding human dignity. Upholding human dignity is about loving our fellow human being irrespective of race and religion.
This would nurture the younger generation to be more conscious of others and instead of being trapped or caved in ethno-religious cocoons.
Let’s build an education system that upholds human dignity that transcends sectarianism.
Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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