PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry will revamp the syllabus for History in Forms Four and Five to reflect the change in voting and election candidacy age to 18.
Its minister, Dr Maszlee Malik, said certain topics within the subject would be revamped to reflect the amendment to the federal constitution, including those on the democratic system practised in the country and the elections.
“We already have several topics in History, beginning in Form Four... since the bill to amend the constitution has been passed in the Dewan Rakyat, we will look into changing the syllabus (pending the amendments being passed in the Dewan Negara).
“This is a historic moment for our country,” he said at the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APAC) gold accreditation appreciation ceremony.
Nine polytechnics in the country received the international recognition at the ceremony.
Maszlee was commenting on the suggestion by the Election Commission (EC) to provide a voting module for students.
EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun had been reported as saying that education related to democracy and the election process should be started in schools so that students were well prepared and had a better understanding of the process.
Maszlee said the ministry would request teachers to undergo training for them to have a better understanding of the matter.
“We will also collaborate with the EC to have roadshows to schools as part of education on the democratic process.
“For co-curriculum activities, we are trying to introduce, and expose students to various practical exercises regarding the democratic system and elections.
“We will also collaborate with non-governmental organisations to create awareness of the country’s democratic system. If the EC is ready, we will start this as soon as possible,” he said.