What do you think about “History are listed as subject that compulsory to pass in 2013"

By Yen, 21 November 2010

Recently, there are a lot of sounds which about the topic of “History are listed as subject that compulsory to pass in 2013”

In late October 2010, Education Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin had announced that history subject has made a compulsory subject which mean it has to pass or credit in exam. For instances, for students to pass SPM as whole, they must pass this subject, actually are equivalent to that Bahasa Melayu which is a compulsory subject.

“The (education) ministry will improve the history syllabus content by focusing on aspects related to the country’s constitution, to improve understanding on the formation of Malaysia,” said by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

This topic is quite similar with the topic “UPSR and PMR might be abolished”. Is that sounds funny? Since that time, they were talking Malaysia are too examination oriented, but now, they saying History have to compulsory to pass. Of course, these comments are only come out from students.  

As a Malaysian, we have to comprehend to our country. During studying history, we can learn from the hero or heroine, how they struggle and sacrifice in the war to protect Tanah Melayu. There are not only learning the spirit, but also the moral value.

From the comment of those students who uninterested in history, is because the way of their teacher while teaching the subject, is bored!       

According Dr Sivachandralingam Sundara Raja, professor with the History Department University of Malaya, he comments that the common grouses are that the subject is boring, syllabus is too wide, politically aligned, favors a particular race, the focus is on one main religious civilization, memorizing of dates and personalities, hero worshipping certain events in history and moral lessons for every historical event. History then is memorized for the sake of passing exams.

Besides that, professor also states that history is not everything about the greatness of the past but also the dark side of nation. It can no longer be limited to the story of great wars or narrative of political events. It must give due attention not only to few outstanding men whose names are known in Malaysian history but also to the anonymous masses. 

In my own opinion, students must be taught that the history of a nation has its glorious and dark days. They must be taught that from the pages of history one can see that not all decisions in it are correct and they change according to times. Furthermore, efforts should also be made to change the method in which history is taught in school. Students should be tested on their historical skills rather than ability to memorize facts.