For many years now, the exam format of this subject has been so rigid that students are forced to strictly memorise 36 “values” and definitions. They are then required to regurgitate word for word what they’ve memorised when sitting the SPM paper.
Such a method of testing morality is best suited to training parrots and appears to be designed by monkeys. Who are these monkeys that have been instrumental in designing the examination and how have they been allowed to get away with their monkey business for so long?
Any youth who has been educated to think critically might well ask, why 36 values, and why not 35 or 37? Who defines these “values”? Why must definitions drafted by some textbook writers be so stringent that not a word is to be changed? Even the 10 Commandments handed down by God from atop Mount Sinai allow more flexibility in their wording.
Poor SPM results in Moral Studies have penalised non-Muslim students who otherwise had scored straight As or A+ in their other subjects.
In comparison, Muslim students, who are exempted from Moral Studies but instead take the Islamic Studies papers, do not have to risk their SPM balance sheet being pulled down due to below-par performance in this one subject alone.
Even within the national examination system, there exists a two-tier streaming based on religion which has prompted non-Muslim parents to cry foul.
While there is nothing objectionable to having Moral Studies in the syllabus, it should nonetheless be removed from the SPM slate.
The non-Muslim parents are representing to Suhakam that their children’s education right to a fair exam assessment is being compromised by this compulsory paper that discriminates on the basis of religion.
Beyond this petition, there are key questions and concerns that need to be posed and answered. How can Malay/Muslim-oriented public systems run by Malay elites be made to be transparent and accountable so that they do not discriminate or penalise non-Malays and non-Muslims?
Why are such policies of clear discrimination and prejudice against certain segments of Malaysians persisting and how do we ensure that they do not recur?
This entire episode needs to be opened up for full public discussion and scrutiny. It may be the tip of the iceberg of a structural deformity within our public service that needs to be exposed, operated on and excised.
The CPI team looks forward to hearing more from the public on this and similar unconscionable policies especially affecting our young. — english.cpiasia.net
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication