Posted by calvintaneng > 2018-05-18 20:27 | Report Abuse

NICE STORY THUMBS UP!!!

Posted by All Toh > 2018-05-19 09:47 | Report Abuse

I think these writer may have part of their education in OVERSEA, hope I am wrong.

Posted by ariv > 2018-09-25 12:45 | Report Abuse

Dear SS Lee,

I was just told of this article on this blog. Firstly, thank you for your comments. You see, for a country like Malaysia, due to our history, the British's role in our country and years of racial politics, we seem to be comfortable with letting some things stay as they are. I am not specifically pointing at Tamil or Chinese schools but I still stay put and say its high time the country puts these schools behind and create a level playing field for every student in Malaysia. There is no need to divide students from young. You see, as these students move out from primary vernacular schools, a big number of them, sometimes, do not really get comfortable mixing with the rest in secondary schools or sometimes experience a kind of a “shock” of the difference in cultures between the two types of schools. Also, what is the use of preaching being one and being Malaysian when you’re still “dividing” students to their ethnic groups since young. I am not denying other ethnic groups do not send their children to vernacular schools but what I am stressing is, why the division, why give vernacular schools a separate education package which is different from National Schools and why are some vernacular schools, Tamil schools mostly, are in terrible shape.

You see, as much as some really love their schools, or some call these schools in Malaysia as “unique” when in comparison with other countries, I too love these schools and change is definitely not easy but deep inside of me, I believe when Malaysians, regardless of language, skin, culture, race and religion are put together, a new kind of generation will be created, a generation that will not identify Malaysians as “Indians,” “Chinese,” or “Others.” Why the need to stress “Indian” or “Others” in Malaysia when you are indeed Malaysian, I find this absolutely redundant.

Also, if people are worried that they would “lose their ability” to master their mother tongue, the ministry can always ensure all three languages are taught in schools. Whether you want to learn Tamil, or Mandarin, its there in the system for you to learn and the ministry shall not stop students from learning languages. Vernacular Schools is just the tip of the iceberg and there’s lot more to change in this country. Change takes time and sometimes, change is salty to many.

Thanks mate.

Ariv.

P.S: I am not “oversees” educated and I’m not from a non-vernacular school. It is because I have been in the system and have seen the effects of it, I am trying to change it.

Posted by Sslee > 2018-09-25 23:35 | Report Abuse

Dear Ariv,
Thank you for dropping in your comment to further elaborate in what thestar had quoted you as saying vernacular schools should be abolished.

If racial politics is the root cause of preventing Malaysians from achieving the united Malaysian Malaysia then why not fit the politics?
The British’s rule is non racial as British only care to extract as much natural resource from Malaya and shipped it to Great Britain thus started the mass migration of Mainland Chinese and India as cheap labor for the tin and rubber industry. After independent, British leave us a functional legal system, education system (English school), civil servant, army, police and government make up from the best of our multi races, culture and religion Malaysians.

As a new young nation, we start off well with guidance from our federal Constitution agreed upon by consensus from our multi race, culture and religion forefather anchored on the common spirit of give and take and win- win camaraderie. (Example: Right to mother tongue education with Bahasa Malaysia as national language and compulsory subject in all school)
There was a blemish in 1969 (May 13th 1969 racial riot) that was quickly nipped in the bud and we soldiered on but things started to go downhill from here onward as politicians for want of power and wealth were playing racial and religion politic to divide and rule.

Vernacular schools were the easy target and a convenient punching bag as a fall guy to blame for dividing students to their ethnic groups since young and thus deprived them of the opportunity to mix with other ethnic group and cause disunity when they growth up. How simplicity and naïve and hollow this argument is. Did anyone dares to say the same thing to the religious schools or Mara boarding schools or Mara institute for only catered for one particular ethnic/religion group?

And by the way did anyone care to find out what was taught in our national school nowadays?
Please read the below article from our newly appointed Election Commission (EC) chairman Mr. Azhar Harun (Art Harun)
https://www.malaysia-today.net/2013/07/24/once-we-were-beautiful/
And my previous blog: http://chedet.cc/?p=2387#comment-136954
Where I ask, “So now the entire parents in Malaysia which school do you want your children to study in? I get one response from below:

BabyHooligan Jan 4,2017 1:33 PM
Dear SS Lee,
To answer your question, I would like my children to go to integrated schools so that they don’t feel they are different and isolated to their own race at the very young age.
Happy new year to you and your family too.

As parent we only want the best education for our children. The only consideration is which schools can give our children the best education at a cost we can afford. Hence do not deprive our poor man choice of affordable neighborhood vernacular school that had been proven to produce excellent graduate and some of these schools already in existence even before independent.

So my question to you Ariv, “Are you prepared to send your children to National School?”

Thank you