I refer to the letter Islamisation of national schools - a parent's view. There have been too many incidents of insensitivity towards non-Muslim pupils (and their families) in national schools, and everyone can see that some of the things that happen are not right.

However, it is not going to get really better if we only say, 'Stop this' and 'Don't do that'. We need to find some more positive ideas to ensure that our schools cater to the needs of pupils of all backgrounds.

Firstly, about the prayers. We surely all agree that to develop and nurture spiritual and moral values in our children is an acceptable goal of our education system. It is a simple matter to compose a short prayer in the national language, which is general enough to be inclusive of all religions. The main aim is achieved, no one feels hurt or left out.

Secondly about Pupil's Own Language (POL) classes. When I was at school, a long time ago and in the UK, my parents decided that they wanted me to learn German. It was not offered at the school I was attending, but since it was on the national list of subjects offered, the school was obliged to find a teacher although I was the only pupil requesting it. They found a German woman living near the school who was willing, and employed her, paying a standard rate fixed by the authorities.

Could we not do something like this in our schools, at least until we can overcome the chronic and perennial shortage of POL teachers? The Parents-Teachers Association (PTAs) could help to source the teachers. And like my teacher, if they are provided with standard textbooks, they do not necessarily have to be fully-trained teachers like the full-time ones, although obviously some sort of monitoring system would have to be put in place.

Thirdly, a more serious effort must be made to ensure that more of our national schools have a reasonably ethnic-balanced team of teachers. This would already go a long way towards fostering mutual respect and sensitivity, as well as being a role model for the elusive ethnic integration of pupils in many schools.

Teacher training colleges and universities open their doors to Malaysians from all ethnic groups, but the authorities claim that the number of non-Malays who apply to join them is very small. We must find out the real situation and the reasons for it, and then seek solutions which will benefit everyone.

This is the responsibility not just of the education authorities, but also of parents and the community in general. Above all, we must be sincere and inclusive in our deliberations, willing to give every other ethnic group the rights and due respect that we want for our own.