Teaching comparative civilisational history key to building tolerance, expert argues

Sharifah Munirah Alatas has advocated for a curriculum approach that introduces students to the histories and cultures of multiple civilisations, with implementation beginning at the primary school level. According to the scholar, exposure to diverse civilisational narratives can strengthen national pride while simultaneously cultivating greater understanding across different communities. The proposal reflects growing recognition of education's role in addressing social divisions and promoting cohesion in multicultural societies. Alatas contends that learning about civilisations beyond one's own heritage provides valuable context for understanding contemporary global dynamics and fosters mutual respect. The approach would complement existing history curricula by broadening students' perspectives during formative educational years, when attitudes toward other cultures are still developing.