The government should provide Chinese educationists "clear guarantees" regarding the Vision School concept and put these down in writing, a Gerakan leader said today.

"Having followed certain problems pertaining to mission schools, and the frustrations encountered in dealing with government departments, I can understand the reluctance of the Chinese educationists in succumbing to the Vision Schools concept without clear guarantees," Gerakan vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam said in a media statement.

Vijayaratnam hinted there could be a lack of consistency in the implementation of the concept, adding that the actual implementation of government policies is often in conflict with the original ideas.

"In carrying out the dictates of the cabinet or Parliament, certain components of the civil service, wilfully or unintentionally, alter instructions to their convenience.

"While in some cases these may be quite harmless, there are, on the other hand, instances where the whole exercise produces a completely different end result from the original idea. It has happened in education policies before," he said.

Under continuous scrutiny

Vijayaratnam added that education ministers and civil servants come and go and new people have different interpretations and ideas on the same directive.

He said that for the concept to be truly effective, its consistency, right from inception to final implementation, has to be under continuous scrutiny.

"It would be helpful to convey the impression that the administration is not in a hurry to fulfil its proposals," said Vijayaratnam.

According to him, participation in the project should also be made voluntary, and an assurance that new, single vernacular schools in their original form and character shall continue to be built.

He added that the government should take cognizance of the fact that should its experimental Vision Schools prove successful over a period of time, it would do much to dispel the fears of the Chinese community.