JAPAN has decided to teach good ethics in its schools following a notable rise in crime among school students. It aims to implement numerous rules such as how to walk properly, how to talk politely with others without raising your voice and what types of words you should and should not utter. In a nutshell, Japan is going to teach its population ethics and manners, of which our new generation, I think, is in dire need. Our students need to be taught ethics as many of them do not have good manners. Our schools have become arenas for silly fights that have even affected teachers. A large number of families have failed to correct the behavior of their sons and instill good manners in them. It seems that our sons have become the masters of foul language. They are technology savvy and well versed in the use of the Internet but unfortunately they are still engrossed in racial discrimination. We need to follow in the footsteps of the Japanese. Maybe this is the right solution for us. Of course, the students will be taught these skills based on the teachings of the Shariah, genuine social traditions and civilized human values. What is the point of having a student who is intelligent in physics but his mind is full of racist ideas? What is the point of having a student who knows several verses of the Holy Qur'an but does not hesitate to beat his teacher? Civilization is all about how we act and behave at the end of the day. Some might say civilization is what a child learns at home, but this is not true as schools play an important role in helping students develop certain behaviors. Life has changed. If the Japanese, who are considered one of the politest peoples around the world, have to teach the students good manners at school, no doubt the nationals of other countries need intensive programs in good manners.
