PUTRAJAYA: Vernacular schools will stay for as long as the Chinese and Indian communities want them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
He said the policies were clear that the government would enable each citizen to opt for a school system of his choice.
Najib said Chinese and Tamil schools were not only stipulated in the law but the government had also given its commitment to vernacular education. “We have made our commitment that as long as the Chinese and Indians want these schools, they will continue to exist as part of the national school system.”
He said amendments to the Education Act 1996 placed Chinese and Tamil schools as part of the national education system.
Najib said even the Razak Report of 1956, a foundation of the national education system, did not impose a deadline for the end of vernacular schooling in the country.
He was asked to comment on Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s call on Monday for an end to the current vernacular-school format.
Mukhriz suggested that these schools be merged into the national school system so that pupils would be able to integrate and interact better.
He had proposed that all schools come under one system with Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction except for Mathematics and Science, which would be in English.
Pupils, he added, could also learn their mother tongue or another language to enable them to be proficient in at least three languages.
In suggesting this, Mukhriz said a single education system would foster a spirit of unity and integrity among students at a young age as well as prevent sensitive and racial issues from cropping up in the future.
Najib said it was debatable that the polarisation of students was due just to vernacular schooling.
The Chinese and Indians felt that the schools were critical to their community, especially in the promotion of values, he added.
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Talk back to us.
Ritzza Rosli, Selangor:
All this time the non-bumi has been asking for fairer playing ground for all races in Malaysia. This is a good step moving towards that direction. If the non-bumi is not willing to let go this, then they should not be forced. If fairness is sought, than total fairness is what we should go for, not selected fairness. I understand it is hard to let go something which is close to our heart, so please be more sensitive when asking others to let go things which are close to their heart.
Prashi, Kuala Lumpur :
Vernacular schools should stay as it is now. There are so many other ways to enhance unity among people. We have adopted ourselves quite well with the present school system and do not see the need for single school system.
Nurul Ahmed, Kedah:
I congratulate Datuk Seri Najib for a fast reply on this latest controversial case. He has assured that vernacular schoold should stay, so Datuk Seri Samy or anybody else should just rest the case and accept our TPM’s word.
Please see to other critical issue like the economic situation of Malaysian , the issue on pricing of foods and others for the survival of Malaysian.
All politicians, Please stop commenting on each other and see the ‘Rakyat’ survical issue.
Thank you.
KK, Virginia, USA:
Eliminating vernacular schools would not solve the problem of racial polarization… and we cant compare ourselves against the rest of the world where allegedly >90% are onboard in opting for a single education system.
Didnt we always say Malaysia is a unique society?
We are truly unique in every way.. we have a constitution that defends the right of every non Muslim to practise his/her own religion, a constitution that defends the special priviledges of the bumiputras etc..
We are truly unique.. and the statement that we have to conform to what is practised by the majority of the world holds no ground… that’s just not convincing enough..
Hamdan, Abu Dhabi:
Vernacular school should stay but I would support the Wawasan School concept where the three types of schools being located in the same location.
While maintaining the rights of choice for each community to the type of school they wish to go to, this will encourage integration among the races. School activities can be planned or scheduled to enhance this possibility.
School assemblies, civic studies, english classes, physical education and common library are some of the areas where we can increase integration by having a mix activities between the three types of school. In fact, if english and science are bing taught in english, you can also have a mix classes for these subjects.
School canteen can also be located in the same area with separate food section due to the sensitivity of the type of food to be served.
The above will encourage better understanding and tolerance among the races from a young age and also give them opportuny to interact among themselves.
Foo, Selangor:
Vernacular schools should remain so that choices are open. There are many Malays and Indians in Chinese vernacular schools and their parents see it fit to send their children to these schools.
Taking away vernacular schools will only make polarisation worse.
It is bad policies that create race polarisation. Our leaders need to talk and act with due concerns with regards to all races in the country. We need to respect each others’ sensitivities.
