YOURSAY ‘If UiTM can exist, what's wrong in having vernacular schools?’

Perkasa: Pick integration over vernacular schools

Chuck: This is assimilation Perkasa education bureau chairperson Prof Mohd Amir Sharifuddin is talking about, not integration.

Don't be fooled by Perkasa. If integration is what he wanted, he would had suggested Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) colleges be opened to all Malaysians, regardless of race.

Pemerhati: It is true that if children of different ethnicities do not mix from young by going to the same schools, there will be little racial integration. But the main problem is getting everyone to go to the same schools.

As things stand, the national schools are of very low quality because most of the teachers there are of low quality as they have been selected by the Umno government because of their race and not because of their abilities.

Even the Umno ministers are aware of this and so many of them send their children to international schools or overseas.

If a serious attempt is made to improve the quality of national schools by selecting teachers and headmasters strictly on merit and if English is introduced in these schools in a big way so that the students are able to speak, read and write as well as the students in Singapore schools, and if religion is kept out completely, then everyone will rush to get into these schools and the vernacular schools will slowly die a natural death.

Enlightened: Yes, I agree that the government should stop schools that only cater to a specific race or religion, including institutions of higher learning.

If you talk about integration, the teachers hired should also not be monopolised by a particular race. Make those who apply for teaching jobs sit an entrance exam and undergo psychological evaluation.

Whatsup: Integration, my foot. National schools are nothing but brainwashing machines to unethically force into young minds the supremacy of one community over the others through deprivation and intimidation, not to mention constant propaganda 'teaching' against the opposition on the superiority of Umno government and religious matters. Come on, who are you trying to fool, professor?

Amused Malaysian: At last, a sensible statement from Perkasa. Although I do not support BM as the language of instruction, I support the national schools as the only schools to enjoy the taxpayer's dollars.

If anyone wants their children to study in English, Mandarin, Tamil or, for that matter, Greek, let them fund it themselves. BN supports the Chinese and Tamil schools only with the misguided belief that it will get them support at the polls.

Fairperson: Very good idea prof Amir, but just one small piece of doubt, can you suggest how non-Malays can enter the country's biggest university UiTM where all are Malays?

Does Perkasa endorse this? If that institution can exist, what's wrong in having vernacular schools?

Kamikasi: Yes, I agree. The government must stop all schools - Mara, residential and religious schools and other government-aided institutions - which is reserved for only the Malays.

Everything must be based on merit, not on race or religion. Mother-tongue languages must be a part of the curriculum.

All other democratic countries in the would uphold justice and fair play in education. With a lopsided education system in Malaysia, we produce organisations like Perkasa and others that do not know the difference between faith and good ethics.

GeramBetul: Perkasa, the 'racial unity' goal through national schools is commendable, but our poor and uncompetitive education system is 'glaring' and leaves much to be desired.

The non-Malays want a true competitive 1Malaysia education system to stay relevant in an ever competitive world. Or don't you already know? What racial integration are you talking about, exactly?

Anonymous #97893788: If Perkasa stops all the racial and religious instigation, then the racial integration can happen.

It is not the Chinese schools that is causing the split, but the bad national education policy that is the main cause. So look at the mirror before you speak.

NewMalaysia: Racist and extremist Perkasa wants to talk about racial integration? United Chinese Schools Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) has every right to demand for recognition and funding for vernacular schools because the schools have proven over the years to have produced many capable and successful taxpaying citizens, who as a matter fact, whose tax money have been used for the funding of Perkasa.

So learn to be grateful before talking about racial integration.

SS Dhaliwal: A case of the pot calling the kettle black here. Perkasa, the local Klu Klux Klan, and their red dragon president Ibrahim Ali are talking about racial integration, what hypocrisy.

Perkasa is just barking from time to time to remind some people that they exist, otherwise they would remain a footnote in Malaysian politics.

Is there any real integration in the ‘sekolah-sekolah kebangsaan’ (national schools) where each race primarily mix with their own race?

This downward spiral in racial integration began when your boss former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad became education minister and the rot continues until today, thanks to his legacy.

Sad: It is not the vernacular schools that is the stumbling block to integration, but it is the formation of new 'vernacular parties' like Perkasa.

Onyourtoes: Prof, you name me one country where the largest fully public-funded university is exclusively reserved for one race. You name me a country where courses of universities are routinely reserved for one race?

There are one hundred and one reasons why this country is divided, including the very presence of Perkasa, but all you can see is vernacular schools.

Look, the Chinese have requested for funding for Chinese schools purely for economic and national competitive reasons. On the other hand, you want to shut down vernacular schools purely for your own selfish, parochial, jingoistic and moronic reasons.

Majoring On The Minor: I suppose it’s quid pro quo. We give up our mother-tongue education along with your "special" rights, okay? Both are in the constitution. You can't have one without the other.

Ace: Perkasa talking about integration? Call an ambulance please, many of my friends here are about to die from laughing.

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