One schooling for one Malaysia
THE year 2010, like many before, saw strong calls for the establishment of a single-stream education system in the country. I am fully supportive of this proposal as I believe that such a system is integral to foster unity in a multiracial nation like ours.
Some may argue that the present system of multiple streams allow parents to choose which school to send their children to, besides helping to preserve the identity of different races.
But to me, and I believe to many Malaysians, the forging of a united Bangsa Malaysia should take precedence.
A standard education system will by no means eradicate the culture of any race. On the contrary, it will contribute towards moulding our different cultures to create a holistic Malaysian identity.
Malaysian children of different races, religions and backgrounds should be brought together to study under one roof, to learn with and from each other.
I am not saying that vernacular schools are completely negative. We have to weigh the pros and cons.
In the long run, the benefit of a single national education system will far outweigh the existence of parallel streams, which are strongly delineated along racial lines.
Various types of schools have been around since independence and there are bound to be parties opposed to the concept of a uniform system.
I admire people like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, who were courageous enough to point out the value of a uniform education system. Despite being criticised by many educationists and politicians, they have not wavered in their stand.
I am proud to say that I attended national primary and secondary schools, in which my classmates were from different ethnicities.
Sadly, the trend of late has shown a significant decline in non-Malay enrolment in national schools.
We cannot wait until national schools are once again the school of choice for all Malaysians. We have to first make national schools the only choice.
Only then will issues concerning schools be championed by educationists and politicians regardless of race, as they will be collectively working to improve the same system.
My New Year's wish is that our government will seriously consider implementing single-stream education for the benefit of generations to come.
NST Online