Part 2 | Malaysia's education system polarises?
- 9 years ago
Part 2| Does Malaysia's education system contribute to polarization of Malaysian society?
Produced by Indrani Kopal
Many deny that the dual system have contributed to racial polarisation and blame this on the country's ethnic based political party system and government policies.
These discriminatory policies, such as access to college and university education, job opportunities in the government sector, poor career advancements for those already in government, they say, serve only to alienate the non-Malay
population.
So where do we go from here? Stick to a system that seems to be in denial of the needs of present day realities? Realities where globalisation is just not a buzz word but a recipe for national economic well-being and where chauvinism has less of a place in a global society.
Or remain where we are and continue deepening resentment and distrust with each race championing their own language biases; ensuring that we are a divided nation.
Speak to 'old timers' and they lament that it wasn't like this. There was a lot more acceptance, understanding then. But those were the days when national schools were popular with just about everyone, regardless of race.
The existence of the vernacular school system is however guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. It is the right of Malaysian communities to have schools where subjects are taught in their ethnic tongues. And this is not going to change.
What seems to be the strategy to get children at their most impressionable age to once again learn to accept and understand each other's culture, is to bring up the standards of teaching in the national schools. Bring it up to a level that would make parents want to send their children back into the national school system.
Part 1| Is it at all possible to have single secular school system?
Produced by Indrani Kopal
Many deny that the dual system have contributed to racial polarisation and blame this on the country's ethnic based political party system and government policies.
These discriminatory policies, such as access to college and university education, job opportunities in the government sector, poor career advancements for those already in government, they say, serve only to alienate the non-Malay
population.
So where do we go from here? Stick to a system that seems to be in denial of the needs of present day realities? Realities where globalisation is just not a buzz word but a recipe for national economic well-being and where chauvinism has less of a place in a global society.
Or remain where we are and continue deepening resentment and distrust with each race championing their own language biases; ensuring that we are a divided nation.
Speak to 'old timers' and they lament that it wasn't like this. There was a lot more acceptance, understanding then. But those were the days when national schools were popular with just about everyone, regardless of race.
The existence of the vernacular school system is however guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. It is the right of Malaysian communities to have schools where subjects are taught in their ethnic tongues. And this is not going to change.
What seems to be the strategy to get children at their most impressionable age to once again learn to accept and understand each other's culture, is to bring up the standards of teaching in the national schools. Bring it up to a level that would make parents want to send their children back into the national school system.
Part 1| Is it at all possible to have single secular school system?