I write with respect to recent letters in the media regarding the reintroduction of English medium schools as this is the only way our children will not be left behind in a now highly competitive borderless world.

It’s true politicians will do anything to survive including pacifying the ultras and ‘hardcore’ but misguided nationalists but on the quiet ensure that their own children are educated properly in private, international or foreign schools.

It is no secret that even our own cabinet comprises of ministers and staff who graduated during the English medium era left behind by the British until it was changed to Malay medium in the 70s.

While the Education ministry and political establishment try to walk on a tight rope hoping to pacify these nationalists and ultras without falling off and killing their political futures in the process, perhaps the education ministry should leave the entire decision to a process called democracy.

The education ministry should just leave the decision whether a particular school wants to switch to English medium or otherwise to the Parent-Teachers Association or a referendum taken by all parents who have children in that particular school. If the majority in that particular school want the medium to be in English, so be it.

The education ministry could also insist on an overwhelming confidence vote of at least 80% if need be and let the parents themselves decide.

Little point in trying to do this hide -and-seek, allowing only private schools to run English medium schools or classes while government schools at the end of the day are seen to be second-class to private ones only because the medium of instruction is English.

The government must move rapidly to resolve this issue quickly, lest this country is left behind by the rest of the world. Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong were virtually handed a first-class education system by the British, but for reasons that every citizen now knows in his/her heart, this system has now seriously jeopardised our children’s futures and this nation’s competitiveness.

You just cannot get a job anywhere in the world or even in the private sector here in Malaysia if you cannot articulate your thoughts, vision and responsibilities lucidly in English because this is currently the technological language of the world.

We started off at independence at a great advantage but after 52 years we have lost the edge. Before we are branded as a ‘has been’ in the sands of time, this government must be stoic and endeavor to do the right thing.

Don’t let our children be the victims of misguided nationalism. Offer to those who want to at least secure their children’s future, the choice of English medium schools.