KUALA LUMPUR: Any new historical findings or facts to be included in the history curriculum will undergo review and approval by the Education Ministry's History Curriculum and Textbook Reference Expert Panel, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the panel is made up of lecturers from public universities, who were selected for their credibility and expertise in the subject and appointed after undergoing a thorough security screening process.
"Outstanding teachers and agencies with authorities from across the country, including the state secretaries, state archives, state museums, teachers education institute and local non-governmental organisations with legitimate connections to history, culture and society, are involved in the formulation and revision of the curriculum," he said in response to Nurul Amin Hamid (PN- Padang Terap).
Nurul Amin inquired whether there is a plan from the ministry to draft a syllabus for the History of Malaysia subject, considering there are new historical findings and facts that Malaysians, particularly school students, need to learn.
Wong said the ministry follows strict standard operating procedures to verify facts and information in history textbooks.
"This includes obtaining fact verification from responsible agencies such as the state secretary, the Election Commission (EC), the National Archives of Malaysia, the Malaysian History Association, the Department of Museums Malaysia and the National Heritage Department among others."
Wong said any facts that have not been proven or are still under investigation cannot be included in textbooks.
"The ministry is confident that the expertise of the appointed panel and existing procedures will ensure that the information and facts in the History curriculum are accurate and reliable."
Meanwhile, he said the development of the 2027 School Curriculum, set to be implemented starting in 2027 for Year 1 and Form 1 students, also includes the History subject.
He said the process of revising the History curriculum involved a thorough review of the current curriculum, along with discussions with various stakeholders, including educators, researchers and the general public.
He said the formulation of the History curriculum takes into account the findings of the report of the Special Committee to Review the History Curriculum and History Textbooks for Secondary Schools (2011-2012).