I fail to understand the glowing editorials supporting the proposal to re-introduce Tamil and Mandarin as an optional subject in national schools. The Star , Malaysia Nanban and

Tamil Nesan are of the view that these classes will foster better racial harmony in primary schools.

Now, how on earth did they come to that conclusion? The non-Malay population in national primary schools is hardly eight percent in total, according to recent reports, so how on earth that would foster better racial harmony is a real wonder.

The Chinese who want to learn Chinese are already in Chinese schools and the Indians who want to learn Tamil are already in Tamil schools. Those still remaining in national schools are principally from homes where English is spoken or English is substantially spoken and for whom the lack of knowledge or skills in either language does not really matter in any case.

I know for instance all my relatives, friends and I who have children in national schools are not in any way terribly excited by this news. Given the small percentage of non-Malays in these schools, we possibly represent the majority.

What is plain for all to see was that the National Education policy brought the disintegration of the society. Its one most important goal — that of eradication of the identification of a race by its economic function — is sadly now even more pronounced.

If anyone is going to be absolutely honest about it, what the minority races need right now to remedy the decline in the education of their children is the re-introduction of English education from primary onwards. If this is done, the demand for vernacular schools will decline while national schools become more popular.

If our education system is that good, why do the Yang Berhormat (Your Honourable) and the rich-and-connected send their children to international schools? These schools — just a couple of miles away from the Parliament that has legislated that I cannot have my children sent there — conduct all their lessons in English. And the children learn either English or Australian history and geography! Would not it be better for these children to learn Malaysian History and Geography in the English language in national schools?

Am I just a small minority or am I a part of a larger minority that the government really wishes not to know exists! Its a wonder really!