Merdeka should not end when the flag comes down — Muhammad Noor Abdul Aziz and Nurahimah Mohd Yusoff

Malaysia's Merdeka celebrations often focus on annual rituals and patriotic performances, but there's a growing concern about whether these activities truly instill the values of unity, responsibility, and inclusion in students. Academics Muhammad Noor Abdul Aziz and Nurahimah Mohd Yusoff propose a shift in how Merdeka is taught, moving from a calendar event to a year-round practice integrated into the curriculum.

They suggest that schools could transform Merdeka activities into authentic experiences, such as exploring local stories of independence, interviewing family members about Malaysia's history, or designing solutions to contemporary issues like racism and environmental responsibility. By doing so, students would have the opportunity to explore what it means to be Malaysian through various subjects, including History, Bahasa Melayu, Moral Education, Arts, and Science.

The authors argue that schools should also introduce "Merdeka in Action" challenges throughout the year, encouraging students to practise inclusion, civic responsibility, and unity in their everyday lives. Ultimately, the success of Merdeka celebrations should be measured by the lasting impact on students' attitudes and actions, rather than the number of flags, songs, or programmes organized.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.