THE debate on continuing the vernacular schools in Malaysia is never-ending, with some saying these schools are separating Malaysians from each other while others say that they are generally more efficient than the national schools.
A post by a political activist from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) opposition camp, Jauhari Johar has gained attention on the X platform.
He said he is in agreement with Ridhuan Tee that the Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Malaysia as it is called nowadays, being taught in vernacular schools is not up to the standards of the national schools.
For that matter, he urged the Chinese community to have some serious discussion amongst themselves about the relevance of vernacular schools in modern Malaysia.
SJKC’S BAHASA MELAYU NOT UP TO PAR
I am in agreement with Ridhuan Tee that the Bahasa Melayu being taught in vernacular schools are not up to the standards of the national schools.
It boggles my mind as to why the Chinese community would prefer to seclude themselves from… https://t.co/2DNROLu8Is
— Jauhari Johar (@jauhari_johar) March 15, 2024
As the debate among netizens unfolds, it raises fundamental questions about the intersection of education, identity, and social cohesion in multicultural societies.
Some users, in response to the post, said students have to pass BM before they can be promoted to the next standard. If they fail, they have a chance to retake the BM exam but if they continue to fail, they will be in the same standard for another year.
Other users pointed out that it is required for all students who are sitting for SPM to pass their Bahasa Malaysia subject.
Do you know that students have to pass BM only then they can be promoted to the next standard?
If the student fails, they’ll give chance to resit, otherwise, if fail again, the student have to sit in the same standard again for another year.— DARVINATHAN (@Darvin_Nathan) March 15, 2024
Others state that some students from these schools may not be able to speak our national language well, and they could be dropouts from the school. Others say students from Sekolah Kebangsaan also have issues, arguing that some cannot even write proper official letters.
True. Also he meant those in SK all BM score A? How about those in SK but failed BM? There are many Malays in SK cannot write a proper official letter. Also many malays that study in international school or elite schools, there Malays really that good?
— OS Yu (@knightgogo) March 16, 2024
Those who agree with the statement that SJKC does not teach BM well argue that it explains why many of these school graduates could not speak Bahasa properly, but that does not mean going to the vernacular schools should make them poor at expressing themselves in BM. – March 17, 2024
Explain why many many SJKC graduates could not speak bahasa properly. Not all that go to SJKC got credit for BM, but at least they should be able to comprehend and speak bahasa properly.
I suppose thats what he meant.— Itik Gembo 🌞 🇲🇾 🇵🇸 (@MZAusj) March 16, 2024
