A novel module for cultivate unity and harmony in multicultural society through arts education

Abstract

Purpose

Promoting unity in multicultural society among Malaysians should start from school education since young age. Art through its own variety of approaches could show possibilities in addressing diversity in a community that consists of multiple ranges of racial and cultural backgrounds such as Malaysian community. Arts education is essential for each child because arts cover the entire learning domain – cognitive, psychomotor and affective. Using the advantages of arts in a child’s learning process and its possibilities to create harmony among communities from different races.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were interviewed using a qualitative approach, which consisted of two main questions: What is your perception on this module through participating in this programme? How the module of this programme has influenced you as a Malaysian?

Findings

The proposed module was implemented, and the findings showed that through arts education, the unity and harmony among children in multicultural society could be flourished and strengthened.

Practical implications

It shows that the proposed arts education module could be used among students from different schooling systems and different races to cultivate unity and harmony among them. At the same time, strengthening the unity among children in multicultural society could bring harmony and peace in future.

Originality/value

This paper is a novel approach that uses arts education as a tool in achieving national agenda to strengthen the unity and harmony among primary school children in Malaysia who are from different races and schooling system.

Citation

Balakrishnan, B. (2017), "A novel module for cultivate unity and harmony in multicultural society through arts education", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 306-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-03-2015-0009