The announcement by Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Onn that the Malaysian education landscape is set for a seismic shift by allowing more Malaysian students to attend international schools is indeed encouraging.

For nearly two decades now, Malaysian parents have avoided national schools due to the racial polarisation in the schools and increasing Islamisation. Though teachers have been produced by increasing numbers, many have pointed out that the ministry has been emphasising more on quantity that quality. School heads, not heeding the national education policy, have further contributed to the beleaguered situation of national schools today.

Many parents, sensing this unhealthy situation in national schools, have opted for national type schools (mainly Chinese schools) while the more affluent ones have sent their children abroad to countries like Singapore, Australia and Britain for their primary and secondary education.

These children in turn prefer to stay on in these countries contributing to the brain drain the country has been subjected to over the past decade.

Another alternative for Malaysian students which I feel the minister should consider are mission schools such as the St John's Institution and the La Salle schools where many Malaysians have obtained a wholesome education and built their character.

Having attended the same mission school as the deputy prime minister and the minister for education in Kuala Lumpur, I'm sure they would attest that these schools were dedicated in providing education and in helping nurture young minds both in pre- and post-independent Malaysia.

Many who attended mission schools are prominent in society today and successful in their own fields. Many are good and loyal citizens.

I hope the Education Ministry will consider this suggestion for the good of all Malaysian students.