SIBU: A Sarawak deputy minister has urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to review History as a mandatory pass subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
Viewing the condition as “absurd”, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said diploma holders from vocational colleges (KVs) who are taking a first degree at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) are required to fulfil the must-pass requirement to graduate.
“They could not graduate from the university because they did not pass the History paper. I think this is absurd,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the Sarawak Zone KV Skills Competition at the Sibu Vocational College here today.
Dr Annuar, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of UTS, suggested that university students from vocational background could learn and sit for the History paper when pursuing their degree, but they should not be required to mandatorily pass it.
“Sejarah is important but to make it a mandatory pass subject is a bit too farfetched to me.
“They should have made English a mandatory pass subject and History should not be taught during school hours only but every day.
“We appreciate what we have attained after the formation of Malaysia but making it compulsory to pass History to get a full certificate is a bit too harsh. I think they (Education Ministry) need to be flexible there,” he said.
