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‘I say we go back to English medium’ by Michael Ng, 22 November 2007
I refer to the current debate as to whether the government should continue to use English to teach science and mathematics.
I was educated at the time when the medium of instruction was 100 percent English, save for the Bahasa Malaysia paper. Even then we have to pass our BM paper in order to obtain a full certificate. It goes to show that BM was never neglected and was an important paper for all of us.
The government should not waver in its stance to use English in teaching these two subjects. Calls by politicians in the current administration to revert to BM is short-sighted and selfish. Those who made the calls have had the benefit of an English education overseas. They have returned, not to see that our younger generation benefits from the use of English, but are attempting to suppress it.
I am also hearten to know that the move to have science and mathematics taught in English was actually the result of proposals made by Malay educationists. Many Malaysians are aware that the government erred big time when it decided to change the medium of instruction in our schools from English to BM in the 70s. I suppose the fault lies in the politicians back then for their myopic views and pseudo-nationalistic inclinations in the wake of the May 13 incident.
We are now living in a globalised world and the importance of English is clear for all to see. Our education policies must never be hijacked by politicians who still refuse to recognise the importance of English for the younger generations of the country. Sadly, everything here is intertwined with race, language and religion. These unscrupulous politicians continue to harp on them for their own hidden agenda.
To avoid all these, wouldn't it be better if the government took the neutral ground and re-instate English medium schools in the country? Let parents decide where they want to educate their children, where they feel would benefit their children the most in the future.
In a way, this will curb some of the chauvinistic educationists from causing discomfort among the others races with their constant demands that the two subjects be taught either in BM or any other vernacular language.
‘Religious texts pervades my son’s primary school’ by KR Pramila, 22 November 2007
I was recently at a national primary school in Rawang to register my son for Standard One next year. While the children attended a diagnostics test, the parents were in the school canteen listening to a brief talk on the rules and regulations of the school.
When I looked around the school, I had a feeling that I was not in a national school but a religious school instead. On every side of the wall, there are Arabic text and Malay translations which are meant for Muslims only. One such text reads, "Segala puji bagi Allah yang telah memberi kami makan dan minum dan telah menjadikan kami sebagai orang Islam." (All praise for Allah who have given us food and drink and have made us Muslims)
While the above text states appreciation to God for our daily food, it was specifically meant for Muslim students. Why are religious messages created specifically for Muslim students only? What about students of other faiths? National schools are supposed to teach good values to all children regardless of their faith. These good values are the foundation for a caring society. If national schools start segregating students by their race and religion, can we blame students if they grow up to be racists and bigots with an extremely narrow view of the world?
I sense that there is something seriously amiss with the way religious instruction is being inculcated in national schools. Children should be taught to relate to other human beings without bias and judgment. They should be taught that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. I could not stop but think how subtle these discriminatory practices were and how my child could be affected by them. It certainly seems as if the future Malaysia looks very unpredictable for all the other non-Muslim anak Malaysia.
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