Part 2 | Malaysia's education system polarises?

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?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• malaysia
• education
• malaysiakini
• indrani kopal
• Khoo Kay Kim
• Mukhriz Mahathir
• Tony Pua

[kleeokraden]

Dr Khoo's experience FAR outweighs our 'learned' politicians. Those vernacular proponents speak of cultures as if it's a fixed, timeless, & unchanging entity.

It's NOT. The main vernacular languages - mandarin & tamil - have changed significantly over the years, we've dropped cultural practices we used to have, and picked up new ones. Heck, even the Malay are different culturally now than they were 50 yrs ago.

So wake up, politicians, and stop giving us the 'culture' bullshit.

[IntaMalsi]

We should use English as a medium of teaching in all national schools.

[adyseptember1]

Sebelum cakap banyak....takda fakta @ plan utk sama2 bersatu antara kaum. Hapuskan perbezaan perkauman dalam sistem pendidikan dahulu.Barulah generasi Malaysia saling mengenali sejak bangku sekolah.Puak2 ini sokong tak??? Hapuskan sekolah antara Kaum-Sek.Cina,Indi &,Melayu. Sokong sistem 1 sekolah @ Sekolah Wawasan. Tiada sekolah persendirian.... utk rapatkan jurang kaum

[fanghaurfoo]

We are talking about a nation where we have a Deputy Education Minister holds a Doctor of Philosophy conferred by the University of Hull.... but can't even express himself with proper English. Why is he resist "English" ...? It is obvious hahaha

[marshall9doom]

..For example, does a lawyer really need the pendidikan moral subject? Okay, in brief and not to be confused with I'm referring to the subject Moral which requires one to remember a whole bunch of definitions exactly without altering even the words. Now back to the subject, obviously a lawyer only requires the concept of moral, what he or she understands and what she ought and not to do as a civilize person.

[marshall9doom]

Regarding to what jahurz93 stated. What he meant about theory knowledge can be best exemplified in the subject Pendidikan Moral. Yes, morality is utmost important for our society to ensure that our youths are civil and moral minded civilize people. Though, I do not see any relevance to the requirements to remember or recite the definitions exactly as what is written in the school textbooks in any field of jobs....

[jahurz93]

Malaysian education is too harsh to locals and yet majority who scored very highly came out unemployed due to the fact that malaysian education emphasize on theory knowledge that hardly apply in daily work, instead of practical experience.

[SSF87]

This is all Barisan Nakal's fault. We, the rakyats want changes in our education but the current policies by the crappy politicians makes the education system a total RUBBISH. It's time for us to vote against the current regime for the sake of our younger generation. IF U DON'T WANT TO CHANGE, WE WILL CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT!!!!!

[ghostofborneo]

they condemn the system but at the same time are so proud of it especially when their children achieve tremendous result out of the so-called low quality system. Now anybody out there who claimed that they are so brilliant explain the rasional of such situation...

[ghostofborneo]

Professor Dr Khoo Kay Kim is the only person so far talking about the intergration of this nation, the rest are speaking otherwise...why? The chinese are talking about quality and the indian are talking about casted culture..But amazingly those whom are talking about quality feels so proud when their children or children of their races scored straight As.

[SSF87]

I find that we as Malaysians are very lucky that we can be multilingual, able to learn each other cultures & beliefs. After all, language is a life skill for everyone. I am very fortunate that I have learnt BM, English & Chinese during my school days, and I also took Japanese language last year. In fact being multilingual is a blessing as this will enhance personal development as well as widen your horizons.

[www2806]

Just ponder how good can our education b when it is scaled more towards race & religion by those moronic,egoistic & fanatic ppl responsible ( raising the keris incidence by an education minister!)Nur Amanila scored 17A failed 2nd yr exam in UK! Why,,,a bag of gold around her neck? special treatment in msia? Why many of the rejected not becos of the results but BCOS OF RACE STATUS, managed to pass the exam in UK ? 1 things 4 sure, they do not want 2 disappoint their parents of their hard earned $