It is not surprising that we are getting shockingly bad examination results, not just in Bahasa Malaysia but also in English and just about every subject ([#1]Where have all the good teachers gone?[/#], March 8). In my time, teachers were good enough to go to university but could not do so because of financial reasons. But many have overcome this problem and gotten their degrees later anyway.

Looking back at the last 35 years or so (I am a senior citizen), the criteria to be a teacher have steadily deteriorated until those chosen are literally "scrapings from the bottom of the barrel". Why is this so?

My observations are that proper qualifications have not been adhered to, i.e. applicants are chosen to fill a political and ethnic gap. What you get is therefore what you have sowed.

I doubt if this catastrophe can be rectified. The political will is not there. The more you complain the more keras (unyielding) the government gets. Who suffers?

Those who can migrate will do so resulting in a brain drain, and yet, the prime minister has openly asked those who are making a living overseas to come back to help build the country.

Has the government made a study into why these talented people migrated in the first place? Do you think that these successful people will come back and give support to a system that is discriminatory of colour and creed?

Recent events like the police raid on an innocent Christian retreat on the basis of complaints from some villagers have an ominous ring to it. Will the police be relied upon to be objective in upholding law and order?

It is my sincere hope that my children will grow up to be senior citizens in this country and not elsewhere.