THE Education Ministry has reiterated its commitment to strengthening vernacular schools and upholding the Education Act 1996, saying that this also includes the recognition of vernacular schools within the national education framework.
Speaking at a press conference today (March 11) Fadhlina Sidek said her ministry has taken note of calls for a review of the system has been noted.
“We hear those views. But for today, the ministry’s position is to stand firm and strengthen the Education Act and these vernacular schools,” she told reporters during a visit to a school in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat as students enter their first day of school for the 2024/2025 session.
Fadhlina’s response came after UMNO Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh on Saturday (March 9) had called for a reassessment of the vernacular education system amid growing concerns over the polarisation and lack of cohesion among the country’s multi-ethnic population.
The measures are in a three-part plan outlined by Akmal to strengthen racial harmony and national unity.
According to Akmal, UMNO Youth would propose a single schooling system to the government to foster racial harmony, adding that it was the youth wing’s view that racial tension stemmed from segregation at schools.
“It is time for Malaysia to put an end to this segregation and divide. There is no shortcut to achieve unity. It is a long, winding and challenging road, but it begins with a single step,” he said in a statement.
Akmal noted that there should be a comprehensive assessment of the syllabus of vernacular schools, including the level of mastery of Bahasa Malaysia. He said the study would involve more than 1,800 national-type schools.
An in-depth study of improvements to the national education system was also needed to woo schoolchildren from all communities to attend national schools.
Akmal further called for a medium- and long-term plan towards creating a more integrative education model that is based on common values and a sense of belonging without sidelining the rights to preserve the heritage of their respective mother tongues.
On Wednesday (March 6), he also suggested that Putrajaya refine the schooling system, saying that perhaps the time has come for a single-stream education system to be implemented. – March 11, 2024
Main pic credit: Malaysiakini
