Chinese schools vs national harmony
Chan KalvinPublished: Oct 11, 2014 6:00 AM | Updated: Oct 11, 2014 8:10 AM
COMMENT Many calls have been made to abolish vernacular schools in Malaysia, especially those with Chinese background.
But none have been so accusation-filled like the one uttered by Mohamad Azli, PJ Utara Umno deputy division chief.
COMMENT Many calls have been made to abolish vernacular schools in Malaysia, especially those with Chinese background.
But none have been so accusation-filled like the one uttered by Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad, the Petaling Jaya Utara Umno division deputy chief.
I, as a fully vernacular school educated student since primary till secondary school, would like to state my first hand, and I believe many of us Chinese vernacular school students’ opinion, on this issue.
Azli was quoted as saying, “Many are of the opinion that Chinese vernacular schools have been exploited by opposition parties to incite hatred towards other races, and [to] spread racial and anti-government sentiments.”
Let’s begin by talking about the aspect of political parties. On what basis did Mohamad Azli make that statement? In my 11 years studying in vernacular schools, no opposition leaders have visited my school, at least not that I know of.
The only politicians that have paid visits to my school, on certain events, were those from the MCA. In my primary school years when the haze situation was really bad, they came to distribute face masks and made some speeches.
In my secondary school years, they attended certain major events held by my school. Opposition parties were a no-show in my tenure as a student.
Creating bogeyman out of nothing
So unless MCA is an opposition party in disguise, I don’t see how we Chinese vernacular schools can be exploited by opposition parties.
Secondly, in the aspect of the school administration. Never once has my school’s administration spoken or supported anything about anything regarding politics. Why, even my school’s principal strongly advised us against attending the 2012 Bersih 3.0 Rally.
If Chinese vernacular schools “have been exploited by opposition parties to spread anti-government sentiments”, this is certainly not an advice of what an ‘exploited’ school will give to its students
This is what our beloved prime minister always preaches: Moderation, and it can be found in Chinese vernacular schools.
Thirdly, the students. If any politician feels that Chinese vernacular schools incite hatred towards other races, he or she must have never been to one before.
In my secondary school, there were a handful of non-Chinese students (which included Malays, Indians, etc). And surprise, surprise, they were the most well-liked and popular students among the student community.
Everyone knew them, everyone liked them, and all of us had good relationship with one another, although we were from different races.
1M’sia lives in Chinese schools
Never once did these non-Chinese students feel compromised being in a largely Chinese community because they were very well accepted by everyone, including the teachers.
This is the true spirit of 1 Malaysia, reflected in none other than Chinese vernacular schools.
Subsequently, the most important people in schools, the ones who bring forth knowledge to many - the teachers.
In my time being in Chinese vernacular schools, unlike university lecturers, teachers had never openly spoken about politics in classes. They were the most sensitive lot, always reluctant to discuss political issues when prompted by students.
The teachers were professionals, and knew what they should and should not do as educators. And this is the reason why some students felt annoyed, because of the reluctance of the teqachers to engage in political discussion with them.
But who could blame them? They were just dedicated teachers doing their jobs and clearly aware of their boundaries.
So… what causes Chinese vernacular school students to appear to be more politically aware and inclined to opposition parties? As what was discussed above, let me assure you, it has absolutely nothing to do with the schools. Or its administration. Or its teachers.
When refraining has its values
It all starts from the students themselves. Students who are politically aware and whose school doesn’t supress intellectual political discussions among students, which is what all other schools should be like.
But then again, it is not about the school. It’s about the students. Students nowadays have become more aware of the importance of politics in their life and how big a role it plays.
Look at Hong Kong. Who initiated and lead the ‘Occupy Central’ movement? Students. student as young as 17, who is the main figure of this entire movement, whose name is Joshua Wong, setting an example for all other students from various countries to model upon.
This 17-year-old is leading a democracy movement. Ask ourselves, what were we doing when we were 17?
A handful of students who are politically aware can cause many others too to be politically aware. And this is exactly the case in Chinese vernacular schools. You might ask: Why doesn’t this happen in national schools?
Because national schools are supressing the freedom of intellectual political discussions among students.
But with a stronger will and desire, this can easily change. And at that time, will politicians call for the abolishment of national schools too? Maybe they want an illiterate Malaysia because that will ensure the security of high positions.
But whatever the matter is, it is the students who are making the difference, not the schools. So, abolishing Chinese vernacular schools would not stop the spread of anti-government sentiments. Instead, it will embolden this.
Because when people are supressed, they tend to fight back. A good example is how the Hong Kongers came in even larger numbers when the police used tear gas and pepper spray on the protesters.
What will our police force do then? Arrest every student under the Sedition Act? I wouldn’t be surprised.
In a nutshell, Chinese vernacular schools are not exploited by any quarter, neither do they incite hatred towards other races, or spread racial and anti-government sentiments.
Racial sentiments are certainly a non-issue here. It is the political aspect of it, not of the schools, but of the students, that causes politicians to be constantly looking behind their backs and making calls to abolish vernacular schools, in fear of the power of students.
Dear Malaysian students, here is my call to you: Together, let’s be more politically aware because ignorance is not bliss.
We are the future of this country, and the current leaders are already wary of our presence. Together, we can make wonders in our beloved country. Bangkitlah!
CHAN KALVIN was a student in a Chinese vernacular school.
But none have been so accusation-filled like the one uttered by Mohamad Azli Mohamed Saad, the Petaling Jaya Utara Umno division deputy chief.
I, as a fully vernacular school educated student since primary till secondary school, would like to state my first hand, and I believe many of us Chinese vernacular school students’ opinion, on this issue.
Azli was quoted as saying, “Many are of the opinion that Chinese vernacular schools have been exploited by opposition parties to incite hatred towards other races, and [to] spread racial and anti-government sentiments.”
Let’s begin by talking about the aspect of political parties. On what basis did Mohamad Azli make that statement? In my 11 years studying in vernacular schools, no opposition leaders have visited my school, at least not that I know of.
The only politicians that have paid visits to my school, on certain events, were those from the MCA. In my primary school years when the haze situation was really bad, they came to distribute face masks and made some speeches.
In my secondary school years, they attended certain major events held by my school. Opposition parties were a no-show in my tenure as a student.
Creating bogeyman out of nothing
So unless MCA is an opposition party in disguise, I don’t see how we Chinese vernacular schools can be exploited by opposition parties.
Secondly, in the aspect of the school administration. Never once has my school’s administration spoken or supported anything about anything regarding politics. Why, even my school’s principal strongly advised us against attending the 2012 Bersih 3.0 Rally.
If Chinese vernacular schools “have been exploited by opposition parties to spread anti-government sentiments”, this is certainly not an advice of what an ‘exploited’ school will give to its students
This is what our beloved prime minister always preaches: Moderation, and it can be found in Chinese vernacular schools.
Thirdly, the students. If any politician feels that Chinese vernacular schools incite hatred towards other races, he or she must have never been to one before.
In my secondary school, there were a handful of non-Chinese students (which included Malays, Indians, etc). And surprise, surprise, they were the most well-liked and popular students among the student community.
Everyone knew them, everyone liked them, and all of us had good relationship with one another, although we were from different races.
1M’sia lives in Chinese schools
Never once did these non-Chinese students feel compromised being in a largely Chinese community because they were very well accepted by everyone, including the teachers.
This is the true spirit of 1 Malaysia, reflected in none other than Chinese vernacular schools.Subsequently, the most important people in schools, the ones who bring forth knowledge to many - the teachers.
In my time being in Chinese vernacular schools, unlike university lecturers, teachers had never openly spoken about politics in classes. They were the most sensitive lot, always reluctant to discuss political issues when prompted by students.
The teachers were professionals, and knew what they should and should not do as educators. And this is the reason why some students felt annoyed, because of the reluctance of the teqachers to engage in political discussion with them.
But who could blame them? They were just dedicated teachers doing their jobs and clearly aware of their boundaries.
So… what causes Chinese vernacular school students to appear to be more politically aware and inclined to opposition parties? As what was discussed above, let me assure you, it has absolutely nothing to do with the schools. Or its administration. Or its teachers.
When refraining has its values
It all starts from the students themselves. Students who are politically aware and whose school doesn’t supress intellectual political discussions among students, which is what all other schools should be like.
But then again, it is not about the school. It’s about the students. Students nowadays have become more aware of the importance of politics in their life and how big a role it plays.
Look at Hong Kong. Who initiated and lead the ‘Occupy Central’ movement? Students. student as young as 17, who is the main figure of this entire movement, whose name is Joshua Wong, setting an example for all other students from various countries to model upon.This 17-year-old is leading a democracy movement. Ask ourselves, what were we doing when we were 17?
A handful of students who are politically aware can cause many others too to be politically aware. And this is exactly the case in Chinese vernacular schools. You might ask: Why doesn’t this happen in national schools?
Because national schools are supressing the freedom of intellectual political discussions among students.
But with a stronger will and desire, this can easily change. And at that time, will politicians call for the abolishment of national schools too? Maybe they want an illiterate Malaysia because that will ensure the security of high positions.
But whatever the matter is, it is the students who are making the difference, not the schools. So, abolishing Chinese vernacular schools would not stop the spread of anti-government sentiments. Instead, it will embolden this.
Because when people are supressed, they tend to fight back. A good example is how the Hong Kongers came in even larger numbers when the police used tear gas and pepper spray on the protesters.
What will our police force do then? Arrest every student under the Sedition Act? I wouldn’t be surprised.
In a nutshell, Chinese vernacular schools are not exploited by any quarter, neither do they incite hatred towards other races, or spread racial and anti-government sentiments.
Racial sentiments are certainly a non-issue here. It is the political aspect of it, not of the schools, but of the students, that causes politicians to be constantly looking behind their backs and making calls to abolish vernacular schools, in fear of the power of students.
Dear Malaysian students, here is my call to you: Together, let’s be more politically aware because ignorance is not bliss.
We are the future of this country, and the current leaders are already wary of our presence. Together, we can make wonders in our beloved country. Bangkitlah!
CHAN KALVIN was a student in a Chinese vernacular school.
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