Politicians Should Stay Out Of Political Education In Schools Says Syed Saddiq

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Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said political education must not just be taught through textbooks but there must be practical lessons and activities in class.PETALING JAYA: Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says he will agree with the idea of having political education programmes in secondary schools and universities only if political parties don’t get involved.
The Muar MP said he supported having political education programmes, particularly to educate students on the Federal Constitution, statehood and democracy.
However, he maintained that political parties should not be involved in these programmes, citing the National Civics Bureau (BTN) introduced by the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
“I heard about Umno Youth’s (proposal), and I immediately recalled my time during BTN when (the late PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Anwar Ibrahim were criticised (in the programme).
“There should not be political party elements in (political education programmes) or else we will have a problem.
“If political education is seen through a political lens, we are doomed,” he said at a dialogue with students organised by Sinar Harian. “I really hope (BTN) does not come back.”
The former youth and sports minister added that these programmes must not just be taught through textbooks but there must be practical lessons and activities in class.
“That is the best (way to go about it), rather than politicians coming in to ‘show the way’.”
Prior to its abolition, there were claims that BTN was used to indoctrinate people with racist and bigoted ideas and that it was partisan to the then governing BN.
It was abolished in August 2018 when Pakatan Harapan was in power and Syed Saddiq was youth and sports minister.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said there was a proposal for the youth wing to conduct political education programmes at universities, though this was still being considered.
Akmal reportedly said these programmes were crucial to prepare would-be voters for the 16th general election. - FMT

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