SCHOOL SHOES ISSUE
KUCHING: The school shoes issue is fast turning into a one-man’s-meat-is-another-man’s-poison debacle.
Convention says it should be white, but former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik tried to go against convention, saying black is better.
The debate raged between the pro-white and pro-black even after Maszlee quit in the first week of this month.
The dust has not settled; enters the acting Education Minister, declaring any colour will do, which has got the Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) worried to no end.
Its president Macky Joseph said the cacophony of colours will affect student discipline.
He said allowing students to wear shoes of different colours will create unnecessary and unwelcomed competition.
“Some students may go for branded shoes and this will create competition and envy among pupils. We are actually here to emphasise unity among them.
“Uniform instils discipline among students. It instills a sense of commonness, equality and sameness. These elements help to prepare the right foundation for life as students,” he said.
Macky added that previously when it was compulsory to wear white shoes to school, students were very particular about their shoes and would usually wash them on weekends.
On Jan 17, Dr Mahathir, who has temporarily taken over as interim education minister, said that the briefing given to him by ministry officials on Thursday (Jan 16) had left him “a little confused”.
“I had a long briefing. I am still digesting the items that they had briefed me and I am still a little bit confused because of so many facts given. I am studying them.
“One thing I have decided is that you can wear brown shoes, black shoes, grey shoes, white shoes — any shoes will do,” he said.
The prime minister said he is not bothered about the colour of shoes worn to school.
