.jpg)
By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright March 2024
In 1990, a humble and an uneducated chauffeur of a prominent politician shared with me his decision to enroll his two daughters in a Chinese vernacular school. He was not asking for advice, he merely told me quite confidently of his choice. Over time, whenever we met, he would proudly update me on their progress. He expressed satisfaction with their achievements, especially highlighting that both girls had received first-class awards from their respective universities.
The ongoing debate over the choice of schools by Malaysian parents, including the increasing trend towards vernacular and international schools, reflects deeper issues within the national education system.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman's call for policymakers to understand why parents are making these choices is timely and crucial for improving education outcomes for the youth.
The preference for vernacular and international schools over national schools raises questions about the effectiveness and quality of the national education system. Rather than blaming parents for seeking alternatives, there needs to be a concerted effort to address the shortcomings within the national school system.
Syed Saddiq's emphasis on empowering the national school system is well-placed. Strengthening the national education curriculum and addressing its weaknesses should be a priority. It is heartening to hear his support for the national school system, citing his own education journey as a testament to its value.
The criticism of politicians who send their children to private and international schools while criticizing the national system is valid. There must be a genuine commitment from policymakers to improve the national education system, including reforms that address the concerns raised by parents and students.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek's acknowledgment of the need for serious reforms is encouraging.
However, it is essential that these reforms are not just words but are followed by concrete actions to improve the quality of education in national schools.
The suggestion by Umno Youth Chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh to review the vernacular education ecosystem should be considered, but any changes must be carefully planned to ensure that they do not disrupt the educational opportunities for students currently enrolled in vernacular schools.
In conclusion, the debate over the choice of schools highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the national education system. By understanding the reasons behind parents' choices, policymakers can work towards creating a more inclusive and effective education system that meets the needs of all Malaysian students.
What about the daughters of the driver then? The old driver tells me his daughters asked him to quit drivihg once they were employed. They are now in top positions of large corporations in the country.
Submit your #BackInTime stories that revolve around the theme of nostalgia and stand a chance to win prizes worth up to RM8,000! Find out how you can participate here.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.