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.
Blog: Post GE14: Creative Writing: Vernacular Schools
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.