KLANG – In a call for national unity and the preservation of core Malaysian values, the Education Ministry has been urged to take robust measures against ‘little Napoleons’ within the country’s educational institutions.
Sentosa assemblyman Dr Gunaraj George said these people have been undermining national unity by bringing about unwanted regulations that were clearly against the ministry’s guidelines.
His call comes in the aftermath of a deeply unsettling incident that happened in a Kajang school recently, where students found themselves subject to restrictive measures preventing them from wearing traditional attire during Merdeka Day celebrations.
He said the incident has triggered many concerns about the gradual erosion of unity and inclusivity, values that form the foundations of Malaysia’s national identity.
Gunaraj pointed out that while the Education Ministry acted swiftly to address the incident and allowed students to wear culturally appropriate attire, there is a feeling that swift responses alone were inadequate in dealing with the deeply ingrained issue of ‘little Napoleons’ within the educational system.
The term little Napoleons signifies individuals who wield authority within schools in a manner that is divisive, often at the expense of unity and inclusivity.
Many experts, educationists, and concerned citizens have voiced out that it is not only important but imperative to confront and eradicate this phenomenon to ensure an atmosphere of harmonious learning for all.
In a strongly worded statement, Gunaraj said the Education Ministry must take a firmer stance against those who sow seeds of division in educational institutions.
“It’s time we move beyond mere reprimands and implement deterrent actions that send a clear message to these little Napoleons: divisive behaviour will not be tolerated, especially in our schools.”
He said this aligns perfectly with the principles championed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through the Malaysia Madani concept.
“At the heart of this concept lies the core value of respect, emphasising the need for mutual respect among Malaysia’s diverse communities.”
He said schools should be dedicated to nurturing world-class education and preparing our students to become future leaders in science and technology but incidents like this raised questions about priorities.
“It is disheartening to witness educational institutions veer off the path of academic excellence and instead find themselves entangled in trivial matters that do little more than polarise our students.”
He added that the world was advancing at an unprecedented pace, with breakthroughs in science and technology driving innovation and progress but “here we are talking about cultural attire.
“It is important that our schools, as the foundation of knowledge and learning, focus on what truly matters – equipping our students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to succeed in the rapidly evolving technological landscape,” said Gunaraj. – The Vibes, September 28, 2023
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