Existence of vernacular schools should be respected - PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all quarters to respect the existence of Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, pointing out that the country inherited this schooling system long ago.
Anwar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times that the presence of vernacular schools is something that doesn’t need to be changed.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all quarters to respect the existence of Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, pointing out that the country inherited this schooling system long ago.
Anwar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times that the presence of vernacular schools is something that doesn’t need to be changed.
“Our role is to provide space, understanding, and respect,” he was cited as saying at a National Unity Week celebration in Johor Bahru last night.
“We inherited a system where there are national schools for all, as well as Chinese and Tamil schools.
“This diversity (of these schools) reflects the demographic composition of different areas, with some comprising 100 percent Malays, while others have Chinese and Indian majorities,” he added.
Further, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson said Muslims cannot ignore that the Quran acknowledges differences in race, skin colour and language.
“We come from different races, tribes (kabilah), regions, states, skin colours and languages.
“The Quran emphasises the need to recognise these differences and respect each other.”
Call for review
In March, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh called for the government to conduct a detailed evaluation of the vernacular education system by inculcating nationalistic aspects while strengthening its students’ command of the Malay language.
Akmal also suggested for Putrajaya to refine the schooling system, saying that perhaps the time has come for a single-stream education system to be implemented.
His comments came despite the Federal Court having upheld the constitutional validity of vernacular schools in a recent case.
On Feb 20, the apex court denied leave to appeal for the Islamic Education Development Council (Mappim) and the Confederation of Malaysian Writers Association (Gapena).
The groups failed in their legal challenge at both the High Court and Court of Appeal levels over the constitutionality of 1,302 Mandarin schools and 527 Tamil schools nationwide.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also said the government has no plans to abolish vernacular schools and the ministry will continue to uphold the Education Act 1996, which recognises the education institutions.
