|
Malaysia Hindhudharma Mamandram (MHDM) would like to take this opportunity to wish the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia YAB Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak heartiest gratitude for agreeing to witness the launch of the Hindu Dharma Textbook Series, a publication based on extensive research, at this very meaningful event.
MHDM would once again like to thank and show support to the many efforts of the Honourable Prime Minister providing Malaysian citizens with various benefits in line with the 1Malaysia Concept. Specifically, we truly respect as well as admire the PM’s dedication and effort in dealing with issues faced by the Indian community in Malaysia.
MHDM (http://www.mamandram.org) has over a 30 year history of working to develop the society as well as spiritual development of individuals. MHDM has approximately 30 branches and thousands of members nationwide. Various activities are carried out with the aim of ensuring the welfare of the people and society in general. Activities organised are in line with the three main objectives of MHDM, namely, Religious Education, Spiritual Development and Social Welfare. Apart from this, the Women and Youth Sections respectively also host a variety of group activities with similar objectives.
MHDM has been lobbying for the teaching of Hindu Religious Education to adults and school students of Hindu religion. In 1999, the organisation successfully came up a with systematic and sustainable Syllabus for the Teaching of Hindu Religion. As a follow up, MHDM has provided more than 1000 teachers and interested members of the society with training in teaching Hindu Religious Education with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, State Education Departments and the Tamil Schools Headmasters Association.
Now, MHDM has successfully produced 9 textbooks which are suitable to be used by school teachers and parents to educate and nurture their respective students and children from the Standard 1 till Form 3. These textbooks would definitely become a primary resource for teachers and parents alike.
The Textbook Series were created by a group of authors who are very experienced and well-versed in Hinduism. The books also incorporate elements of a multi-cultural and multi-racial society, also one that embraces the existence of many religious faiths which are in line with the philosophy of 1Malaysia, a concept introduced by the Honourable PM himself. A concept which has integrated itself into the Malaysian society.
The efforts of producing these textbooks and MHDM’s contribution in promoting Religious Education to students of Hindu origin is also very much in line with the goal of the National Education Philosophy. Apart from this, this will definitely bring about long-term benefits to the Indian community and ultimately to Malaysia as a whole.
Today the Honourable PM has witnessed the launching of Series 1 to 3 (of 9 books in total) Hindu Textbooks. MHDM, upon obtaining approval from the Ministry of Education, suggests to send the books to Tamil Schools all over the country free-of-charge to be used by teachers in conducting the Religious Education classes after normal schooling hours.
Many bodies have reached out to provide sponsorship in order to ensure the success of this noble project. MyNadi Foundation has pledged sufficient funds to send Hindu Dharma-Basic 1 to all students in Standard 1 all over the country for free. MHDM is now identifying sponsors for the provision of Hindu Dharma Textbooks – series 2 to 9. MHDM would also like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Uma Publications for publishing these good quality books.
These books would also be sold to parents and members of the public at affordable prices to be used at home or in temples to carry out the teaching of religious education.
MHDM also intends to organise training for teachers in teaching Hinduism to students in school outside of normal schooling hours. This would be done after approval from the Ministry of Education is obtained.
|
