AN ASSEMBLYMAN called on the Sarawak government to exercise its autonomous control over education and reintroduce Bible Studies in primary and secondary schools here.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Bukit Semuja state assemblyman John Ilus, in proposing this in the State Assembly session, said Bible Studies was introduced in Sarawak by the Christian missionaries during the Brooke Rajahs rule.
"Bible Studies was officially a subject in our state education system during the Brooke era and then continued by the British colonial government.
"Bible Studies were taught to students of all races by the Christian missionaries and the subject was accepted wholeheartedly by students and their parents regardless of race and religion.
"The lessons in Bible Studies taught universal values of love, kindness, respect, acceptance and charity towards mankind regardless of race or religion.
"That is why Sarawak is so united and harmonious despite having so many races and ethnic groups.
"However, Bible Studies was removed as a subject later by the Federal Government.
"We in Sarawak today must reintroduce Bible Studies in all schools in Sarawak," he said in his debate speech.
The Federal Government had last year granted autonomy to Sarawak to handle matters related to education and health. - November 16, 2024