The Member of Parliament (MP) for Klang, Ganabatirau Veraman, has called for fairness and better scheduling as the Deepavali celebration this year overlaps with school examinations, which causes stress among many students.
Ganabatirau highlighted that, unlike any other major festivals, Deepavali often gets only one to three days of holidays, which limits quality time with families.
Klang MP calls for the education calendar in Malaysia to consider Deepavali celebrations
This year, many students have to worry about their exams while celebrating the Festival of Lights, as both major events coincide.
This has caused emotional distress and a high stress level among the students due to the conflict between the academic responsibilities and cultural traditions, making it difficult for them to participate fully.
He added that this disparity has caused emotional and social conflict for students balancing exams and traditions.
Ganabatirau, who is also the Deputy Chairman of DAP Selangor, said that the overlap is caused by the lack of awareness of the significance of Deepavali in educational planning.
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“It’s time to respect cultural diversity in our academic calendars”
In his statement, Ganabatirau calls for an extended Deepavali holiday to allow for meaningful family celebrations and to respect cultural needs in academic scheduling to ensure inclusivity. He also urged the relevant parties to foster an educational environment that values diversity and traditions.
Ganabatirau also said that an extended Deepavali holiday would foster greater respect for cultural diversity and inclusivity. He proposed that the educational authorities should have a conversation with the cultural communities for better scheduling to avoid another overlap.
The Ministry of Education has announced additional holidays for the upcoming Deepavali, and students in all schools in Malaysia, except in Sarawak, will enjoy a 5-day break for the season.
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