I am in my 40s and attended a Chinese primary school some 30 years ago before going on to a national secondary school. I guess that qualifies me to make some comments.

I, for one, would like to see just one type of schools for all children including those at the primary level. However, these national schools must be run in such a way that they would attract Chinese and Indian Malaysian students.

How do we make this happen? For a start all science and math subjects should be conducted in English. All art subjects should be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia. (I read history and geography in Malay during my secondary school years in the mid-70s).

A pass in Bahasa Malaysia should be compulsory for the SPM/STPM certificates while optional Mandarin and Tamil classes should be made available during school hours.

School heads and teachers should be appointed or promoted based solely on merit. Pay them well to attract those with calibre.

I know many of my friends who attended national schools but have decided to send their kids to Chinese vernacular schools instead. 'No choice,' they say when asked for an explanation.

Just look at our southern neighbour. Chinese education was very popular there in 60s and 70s. Now, parents there prefer to send their children to national schools where English is the medium of instruction.

Gook luck Malaysia.