I used to appreciate the challenge of writing in on the old Tun for he was headstrong and decisive. He might have had deficiencies but his policies were all his own and one could see the direction he was headed. Today the person at the helm is sorely lacking in being decisive. Currently it is all talk and no action.

Education is a matter that many of us don't look too kindly upon when at present the flawed policies of yesteryears are beginning to rear their ugly head. The end products of our once venerable public institutions are of lesser standing now compared to graduates of past.

Instead of moving forward, standards have regressed literally making the piece of paper acquired for years of schooling worthless. The numbers of unemployed are testament to the statement above and the graduates re-training scheme is proof to this monumental failure. How did this all come about?

To borrow a quote from an elder statesman down south, 'Those that wish to run, should run, while those that chose to walk, should walk.'. Let's get to the gist of it all and mind you, my commentary is drawn from my own views with no intent of malice of any sort. Saying it like it is as they say.

Throughout my formative years in school, I've come across students who are genuinely bright and who consistently place themselves in the top percentile of the class. Schoolwork and exams seem a breeze for these blessed few.

The majority of us however, had to slog through those trying times. We were less endowed, hence we had to put in a greater effort to achieve the same results. And in any class, like in real life, there are the slackers who just don't give a damn as to what they achieve.

Towards the end of secondary school, the division based on my analogy above was more pronounced. I had the smarts but choose not to use it till crunch time. It was also a time whereby my fellow students and me were beginning to realise that the playing field was one that was not level.

I worked hard, but the reality of it all was that no matter how much effort I put in, I was never going to achieve the results necessary to attend public university. The thought of doing the STPM seemed insurmountable but thank god, my folks had the resources that geared me towards an education abroad. All's well that ends well.

Looking back, standards that we looked upon so highly previously is today non-existent. What took a long time to accomplish was undone in a matter of years. Admission is not based on the best but through race.

Sad but true - the slide begun when the interests of a favoured race was pushed through while others were marginalised. Admission for non-bumis to public institution required the best scores derived from the STPM which many bumis couldn't measure up hence the introduction of a matriculation scheme for the chosen ones.

If the STPM was insurmountable, matriculation is a mere walk in the park by comparison. But those still formulating these policies remain blind to the bias of it all. Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn should wake up and undo this flaw propagated by his predecessors.

Our best minds are currently not within our public institutions. For the past decade, this flawed policy has caused a brain drain that is benefitting others but our own. Our best take flight while local standards are increasingly becoming appalling.

It just a matter of time before the floodgates open and government doctors and other professionals are faced with an increasing number of lawsuits for malpractice. Mark my words - you heard it here first.

Now our PM says National school system fails to foster racial integration , a statement that will open a can of worms. About time he takes a truthful look at the current malaise and bite the bullet because anything else will be redundant and shying from stark reality.

Standards are lowered even at the primary level hence it is no wonder parents choose national-type schools. In recent times, the lack of respect to teachers has contributed to the decline of national schools. What we have today is an inept bunch of graduate teachers trying to guide our youth of today. Therein lies the problem and for heavens sake Pak Lah, don't put a spin on the matter.

Most parents want the best for their child. Children should be subjected to the most stringent of exams and not have it made easier for them for the sake of accommodating a chosen race. Results from the past two decades are proof for all to see.

Moving forward in the direction of an increasingly seamless and competitive world, our students are up against the rest of the world and not just competing amongst themselves. Looking at the current ills that plague our schools, its time for action.

I hope someone will be able to offer better dynamics to the problem at hand. Don't hide from the problem and don't let the bigots have their say for enough damage has been done.

And as a parting shot, the current personnel in the Education Ministry are not the people to bring about any shift in policies towards a dynamic student population. There is already strength within national-type schools for they possess capable staff and teaching methods.

Perhaps we can look towards Singapore and draw lessons from their success in moulding students better able to face the challenges of tomorrow.