It Takes More Than Just A Badge To Instil Patriotism

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From Mustafa K Anuar
Instilling patriotism and fostering national harmony in our diverse society is an objective considered important by most Malaysians, especially at this critical juncture of our nation’s life when divisive forces are at work.
It is perhaps in this spirit that the education ministry recently sent out a directive to make it mandatory for students in public schools and other government educational institutions under its wings to wear a badge bearing the Jalur Gemilang on their uniforms, beginning April 21.
However, the method employed to achieve this end has become contentious among concerned parents and other baffled Malaysians.
For one thing, the haste with which the official decision was made left many wondering whether the ministry had properly thought this out. As a result, the directive has raised many questions.
An issue that has stuck out like a sore thumb is whether it was superficial thinking to suggest that wearing the badge could effectively instil patriotism and enhance national cohesion, apart from fostering discipline and responsibility among the students.
Some rightly contended that the badge could not be assumed to be a quick fix to any lack of patriotism and national unity. This aspect of nation-building requires a long-term approach and multilayered strategies.
One needs to realise that the spirit of patriotism can also be instilled in the young even outside of the classroom, regardless of the badge.
In particular, it should be instructive to the young people that, for instance, their parents as well as other concerned adults were critical of the ministry’s directive simply because they wanted a well-informed proposal for the benefit of the children.
It would not be a stretch to argue that many had questioned the ministry’s move out of sheer love for the country. They wanted to be assured that public money was well spent and that solutions were properly conceived.
Additionally, they also desired a better public education system for the benefit of our future generations and future leaders.
As proud citizens of this country, the parents and other stakeholders would have their sense of belonging to this country further enhanced if and when their participation in such discourse was taken in a positive light by the authorities.
Besides, criticism as well as dissent are part and parcel of democracy.
That’s a form of patriotism in our everyday life, from which the children can draw lessons.
In schools, one of the things that needs to be prioritised is for all students from diverse backgrounds to be treated equally and fairly. Discriminatory actions by teachers and school managements will have a divisive impact on the students.
For instance, there was a case some years ago of non-Muslim students being instructed to have their lunch in a toilet area as a mark of “respect” for their Muslim peers who were fasting during Ramadan at the time.
To exercise compassion, respect and inclusivity, the non-Muslim students should have been allowed to eat at, say, the school canteen so that their cultural rights and practices were observed.
Making fasting of the Muslim students a zero-sum game would clearly give a wrong message about their discipline and religious commitment.
If patriotism and national unity are to be emphasised in schools – apart from fastening hopes to the badge – they must be underpinned by important moral values, such as honesty, trust, justice, respect and empathy.
Corruption could be as good a starting point as any to discuss patriotism, particularly among teenage students.
It is a patriotic act to fight against corruption, especially when money is pilfered from public coffers that are meant to help uplift the living standards of the common people, particularly the poor and dispossessed.
Perhaps students could be made aware that this stealing is a betrayal of public trust. Malaysians of diverse backgrounds should make it a common cause to fight against this social scourge.
There are, of course, other overt forms of patriotism that can also inspire the students. For instance, soldiers and the police put their lives on the line to keep peace, and law and order.
Students should also draw some lessons from the exploitation of race and religion by unscrupulous politicians who have dark designs. Disuniting people along these lines is indeed despicable.
Structural racism is equally abhorrent. The gravity of this phenomenon that has repercussions on ethnic relations, social justice and progress should be impressed upon the students.
There is no act more worthy of emulation than an endeavour to help make a better Malaysia, with or without the badge. - FMT
Mustafa K Anuar is an Aliran executive committee member and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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