PETALING JAYA: The government looked at examples from other countries on how to boost patriotism among students before deciding to implement the wearing of Jalur Gemilang badges as part of school uniforms, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister also said that the nod by the Cabinet to the long-standing proposal from the Education Ministry should not be turned into a polemic by any party.
"We are giving out the badge for free; just stick it on. Many neighbouring countries have been doing it for a long time.
"We have thought about it, discussed implementing it so that children are educated from the beginning to love the country. That's all," he said on Friday (March 28).
On Wednesday (March 26), the Education Ministry announced that the wearing of the Jalur Gemilang badge on students' uniforms in its educational institutions would be implemented in stages from April 21.
The initiative will apply to government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges and teacher training Institutes, with the aim of fostering a spirit of patriotism among students and educators. – Bernama