Vernacular schools will be maintained in line with the National Education Blue Print 2013-2025 to ensure all races in the country can master various languages and understand the different cultures in efforts to enhance unity.

Deputy Education minister P Kamalanathan said the statement by some to abolish vernacular schools, including non governmental organisations (NGO), is their own point of contention to enhance the education system in the country.

“The government however, will ensure vernacular schools will not be sidelined and assistance provided, especially in terms of infrastructure like new school buildings as well as tools to ensure the quality of education, just as promised by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia (PPM), Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) and Tyco Sdn Bhd Employment Agency at Pusat Latihan Pengakap Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur today.

Kamalanathan was commenting on a statement by the Gabungan NGO Melayu-Islam Malaysia (which represented 130 NGOs), urging the abolishment of vernacular schools, purportedly to ensure unity in the country through a single stream.

He said the Education Ministry was always concerned with the problems faced by vernacular schools in the country to ensure the welfare of such schools continue to be given attention.

The MoU signed between PPM, MIM and Tyco was to introduce more leadership and management programmes for Scouts in the country, themed ‘Building Young Leaders For The Nation’.

- Bernama