Fadhlina: Teach children to speak up, disagree respectfully

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized the importance of teaching children not only to be well-behaved but also to confidently speak up, think critically, and disagree respectfully. Character education plays a crucial role in training children to articulate their views, challenge opposing opinions, and defend their positions while maintaining courtesy. She highlighted this goal during a post on Facebook following her attendance at the national-level Madani Youth Forum.

Fadhlina explained that the forum was not merely a competition, but a valuable learning experience where children learned to think before they speak, organize their thoughts, present their positions, listen to diverse viewpoints, and defend their arguments. The event showcased how young people could enhance their confidence in using Bahasa Melayu while simultaneously developing their abilities to argue and engage with various perspectives.

The minister further emphasized that efforts to preserve Bahasa Melayu should prioritize providing young people with more opportunities to utilize the language. She also stated that a mature nation is not built by a generation that unanimously agrees on everything, but rather by one that knows how to engage in constructive disagreement.

Fadhlina concluded by asserting that their responsibility is not to dictate what the children should say, but to ensure they have the knowledge to argue effectively and the courtesy to listen when it is their turn to speak.