Yoursay | Schools are no place for religious indoctrination

YOURSAY | 'Focus must be on academic excellence, not on religion.'

School association denies parents' claims of excessive religious rituals

Newday: Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) is a typical example of how Islam has become ingrained in every facet of our schools.

The last time I checked, these schools are not religious schools, yet here we have it in black and white (where parents of MRSM students claimed the school was going overboard with its religious rituals to the point of affecting their children’s studies).

Is MRSM a religious school or an educational institution? Make up your mind.

Anonymous_1371550919: Religion is not education. The basis of education is evidence, logic and reasoning requiring one to ask and think.

The basis for religion is belief and faith requiring you to accept unconditionally without question. Let public schools be secular and religious schools be religious.

Anonymous_1543475877: Indeed, there should be no religious classes during regular school hours.

Religious classes must be offered after school hours and only to those who are interested to study them.

GalaxyM: The Education Ministry should seriously revamp the education system with an emphasis on achieving academic excellence.

It should eliminate the overdoing of religious indoctrination among students. There has been too much emphasis on one particular religion, resulting in Islamophobia. The authorities should stop the trend before it is too late.

Anonymous_1544340881: While Chinese vernacular schools brought glory to Malaysia in a recent Maths Olympiad, our government schools and universities are producing those who learn how to make Nazi salutes.

It has drawn ridicule worldwide and condemnation from the German Embassy in Malaysia, thanks to apologists, extremists and narrow-minded parents-teachers associations, teachers and civil servants.

FairPlay: Rukun Negara guidelines apply to all loyal citizens and not only Muslims. Do Chinese and Tamil school students pray or recite religious mantras during schooling hours?

Despite this, these schools produce outstanding examination results and excel in international exams. How do you explain this? And where does it say in the Rukun Negara that girls must cover themselves up?

Headhunter: Extremism in any form is unpalatable. There is such a thing as overindulgence. Excuses are easy to make, even in the most extreme case.

Why do people have to shove their own belief and practice down the throats of others, even if they are from the same religion? And do they actually practice what they preach?

Coward: Why the coercion to go to each and every religious activity? Leave them as optional to accommodate different needs and expectations.

Forcing someone to attend such activities does not breed good believers. Creating the appropriate atmosphere, and let believers have a choice to learn at their own pace is much better.

Mano: Such a fearful environment has been cultivated and nurtured by Umno before and Bersatu/Jakim (Department of Islamic Development) now.

They fear repercussions against themselves and their families.

See how the NGO, G25, is attacked by the extremists and even by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Mujahid Yusof Rawa Mujahid?

Vgeorgemy: The long-extended hours of religious rituals are to justify billions in public funds that were spent on Jakim.

It seems that the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) is being infiltrated by religious NGO bodies to protect vested interests.

Vijay47: Perhaps even God will hold that there is a time and place for everything.

I am sure He would not view with much approval the antics of that man of piety, as evident in the widely-viewed video clip, who believes that the Rukun Negara permits or even demands that he does his prayers in the middle of a busy street.

Anonymous 770241447347646: If they have no interest in preparing the students or children for the future, it is their own funeral. If they insist on keeping them indoctrinated with as much religion as possible, let it be.

Let those parents who are concerned about their children's welfare find the schools or colleges that are dedicated to teaching their children subjects that will prepare them for the future.

Do not waste your time or energy on those that are on a one-track mindset.

Questioner: The end result? After graduation, the students will find it hard to find employment.

Then, the students will blame everyone else as usual.

Frankie: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak prayed five times a day and yet he is charged in court for corruption.

Ex-deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made the holy pilgrimage on a yearly basis and yet he is facing countless money-laundering charges in court.

And the list goes on for many who claim they are religious.

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