Learning mathematics is important from a young age as math skills can be implemented at their jobs when they grow up.
With that being said, is it really necessary for Standard 3 children (9-year-olds) to learn and known currency rates?
Popular Malaysian teacher, Cikgu Mohd Fadli Salleh, took to his Facebook page to showcase a Standard 3 school book lesson about money that he has chosen to ignore as he believes that it is not necessary for children to keep track of currency rates.
He wrote, “I’m going in to teach a Standard 3 class in a bit. The topic is money. So, as a dedicated mathematics teacher, I first checked the book to prepare for the lesson.”
Upon opening the book, he was puzzled to find that it was asking 9-year-olds to list down the currency rates of 9 countries based on RM1.
“Not only would children not be able to answer these, even bank officers wouldn’t know the answers. What is the purpose of this topic for Standard 3 children? Please, to the drafter of the syllabus, list down 5 advantages of a 9-year-old learning this topic.”
This image is for illustration purposes only.
“If I ask the drafter of the syllabus how much Kyat (currency of Myanmar) for RM1, even they would not be able to answer it unless they Google it first. I don’t know when the new syllabus will replace this. This syllabus that the kids are learning is ridiculous,” he added.
Cikgu Mohd Fadli Salleh ultimately chose to skip this particular lesson, explaining that should anyone including officers from the District Education Department ask him why he skipped it, he would ask them to teach the topic instead.
What do you think? Should 9-year-olds learn currency rates?
Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: Adorable M’sian Boy Gets Caught Sneaking Biscuits Into His School Bag to Save on Pocket Money
