The request was presented to the local government by John Ilus during a parliamentary debate. Sarawak is a State in Borneo where Christians are the majority and where missionaries have historically played an important role in the development of the educational system. “Knowledge of the Scriptures is a unifying force and an essential component for educating young people in pluralism.”
Kuching () – During the budget session of the Legislative Assembly of the Malaysian State of Sarawak, in Borneo, a deputy called for Bible lessons to be reintroduced in all local schools. John Ilus, representative of the Bukit Semuja area, suggested that the State return to Bible lessons, which he described as a fundamental aspect of the history of education in Sarawak, founded on tolerance and respect.
John Ilus also highlighted the important role played by Catholic, Anglican and Methodist missionaries: “They laid the foundations of Sarawak’s educational system during the Brooke era, in pre-colonial times – he recalled -. Early Christian missions introduced educational programs and Bible studies became an essential part of the curriculum, open to students from diverse backgrounds. “This inclusive approach has built a tradition of tolerance and respect that has become a hallmark of Sarawak’s social fabric,” he said.
Bible studies were subsequently removed from the curriculum, which John Ilus said is a serious loss to the moral and spiritual development of Sarawak’s youth. That is why he asked the Ministry of Education to consider the possibility of reestablishing them as a structured and optional subject in primary education, which allows students to learn about the Christian religion, just as they do with other religions. “This change would help build understanding and respect, enriching the character development of Sarawak’s youth,” he explained.
About two-thirds of Malaysia’s Christians live in the States of Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah) and in Sarawak – which is the largest of the States that make up the country – Christians represent the majority (50.1%) of the population. , along with Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Unlike other Malaysian states where Islam is the official religion, Sarawak does not officially have a state religion.
English Anglicans were the first Christian missionaries to arrive in Sarawak in 1848. Two decades later Catholic missionaries arrived from Mill Hill, who also established a missionary base from which they could reach urban and rural, mostly animist, tribal populations.
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