Khat: Sabah to follow federal decisions

The State Education and Innovation Ministry will follow any directive given by the federal Ministry of Education on the teaching of khat in vernacular schools.

Its assistant minister, Jenifer Lasimbang, said education is still under federal jurisdiction and whatever decisions made would have to be followed by the State.

“In terms of policies and directives, we have to listen to the federal ministry. However, further discussions on the teaching of khat, especially in vernacular schools, would need permission from the ParentsTeachers Associations before it can be implemented,” she said.

Speaking to the press after officiating at the sixth Malaysian International Conference on Academic Strategies in English Language Teaching (My_ CASELT) by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah branch, Jenifer also reminded in light of the announcement on khat implementation, education should be viewed objectively.

It should not be tied to religion or made into an emotional issue, she said, adding that the teaching of khat should be seen as learning another language.

“We don’t have to be emotional about it. It’s time for us to rebuild our country and State. Khat should be seen as an art form and an opportunity for our children to learn something different.

“I, myself, went to a Chinese medium school and learned Chinese characters. This shouldn’t be made into an emotional issue. When it comes to education, there shouldn’t be those kinds of sentiments attached to it,” she said.