KUALA LUMPUR - Mastery of Malaysian History must be mandatory across all education streams, including international schools, religious education institutions and Chinese-stream schools or Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) pathways, said the National Historians Council (MSjN).
In a statement today, MSjN said strengthening the mastery of Malaysian History is a strategic measure to reinforce national identity, civic understanding and unity in the country’s multiracial society.
"This approach is important to ensure that every generation of Malaysians understands the historical roots and shared values that shape the nation,” it said.
MSjN said the introduction of more systematic history assessments, including at the early stages of schooling, reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening historical literacy from a young age.
"At the tertiary level, the introduction of general subjects related to national history and the Federal Constitution ensures that all graduates possess basic civic knowledge, regardless of their field of study,” it said.
MSjN expressed confidence that integrating history education into the national education reform agenda, alongside technological and digital advancements, would create a balance between development and the preservation of human values.
"In this regard, MSjN fully supports the implementation of this policy to ensure the sustainability of nation-building efforts,” the statement said.
Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035, which mandates the study of the Malay language and History as part of the national curriculum in all schools.
The blueprint, jointly developed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), covers the entire education ecosystem from school to higher education, and aims to enhance education quality, narrow access gaps and strengthen the global competitiveness of Malaysia’s education system. - BERNAMA