From The Star:
Online game to integrate students
PUTRAJAYA: Izat, Chong and Raj, are the main characters in an online game designed to foster racial understanding among students under the Education Ministry’s e-Integration programme.
“Through these virtual characters, students can learn about one another’s culture. This could be the best way to foster racial understanding among the young as they are into ICT (Information and Communication Technology). Also we cannot physically get everyone together,” said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Hon Choon Kim.
The online game is part of the ministry’s Student Integration Programme for Unity (Rimup), which is aimed at promoting integration between students of different races.
“Students can follow the main characters through the virtual storyline and create more stories while connecting with students of other races from other schools,” Hon told a press conference after chairing a meeting on the implementation of the programme.
He added the game contained 10 different components comprising diverse cultural elements to expose students to the different cultures of Malaysia.
If there was a better way to waste taxpayers money, I can’t think of one. How about spending that money to create outdoor environments that are safe for kids to play in? More skate parks! More badminton courts and football pitches! Turn of your fucking computers, go out and play with your REAL friends from all cultures.
UPDATE: Seems the Education in Malaysia blog isn’t too thrilled about this idea also, for very much the same reason but they are far more eloquent than I am in expressing their dismay.
What’s it they say about common sense not being common?