Running in place with race in education
COMMENT | Think before you speak, Maszlee Malik – it will save you from looking foolish. Malaysians are once again pushed out of their comfort zone, and this time is because of our education minister.
I was having a chat over teh tarik with my schoolmates. They were disappointed that we have an education minister who is trapped in thinking along racial lines.
They were referring to Maszlee saying that non-Malays were well off and able to send their children to private universities, in his attempt to justify the need for a quota system favouring Malay students for entry to public universities.
Obviously, Maszlee does not understand non-Malays have to go to private universities because they cannot find places in public universities.
My friends asked, does the minister know how many Chinese and Indians have sold or mortgaged their properties, valuables and life savings for their children's private tertiary education?
One of them, a university lecturer, said Maszlee doesn’t seem to understand that language is a job skill, when the minister accused certain employers of discriminating against non-Mandarin speakers...
COMMENT | Think before you speak, Maszlee Malik – it will save you from looking foolish. Malaysians are once again pushed out of their comfort zone, and this time is because of our education minister.
I was having a chat over teh tarik with my schoolmates. They were disappointed that we have an education minister who is trapped in thinking along racial lines.
They were referring to Maszlee saying that non-Malays were well off and able to send their children to private universities, in his attempt to justify the need for a quota system favouring Malay students for entry to public universities.
Obviously, Maszlee does not understand non-Malays have to go to private universities because they cannot find places in public universities.
My friends asked, does the minister know how many Chinese and Indians have sold or mortgaged their properties, valuables and life savings for their children's private tertiary education?
One of them, a university lecturer, said Maszlee doesn’t seem to understand that language is a job skill, when the minister accused certain employers of discriminating against non-Mandarin speakers.
Recently, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad rated his cabinet five out of ten. I wonder what would Maszlee’s mark be? Is the time ripe for a cabinet reshuffle?
For my generation, who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, Malaysian politics has not crossed the ethnic threshold, and race still rules.
It's so sad. Countries like Japan and Germany prepare students for what is wanted by the industry, but in Malaysia, we are still debating the quota system.
This is disturbing to many of us. My friends said they did not vote in Pakatan Harapan to reinforce a race-based agenda. Maszlee sings and dances to Umno-PAS race-based tunes to ensure his political survival and cling to power.
The education system should not breed racism. A race-based quota system in education needs to be stopped. The world works on merit. Quotas in education do not work.
This is a disappointment for educational reform in New Malaysia. Several ministers are no different from those in the previous Umno-BN government.
Harapan must be brave enough to bring about a new culture based on equality and merit. We need to eliminate the racism embedded in the education system.
The Education Ministry should clarify the student intake to public universities by disclosing transparently the application, evaluation and rejection processes involved.
We have no qualms about bumiputera students having various educational options. Anyone who enrols in the Mara colleges would already have a foot in the door to local universities. UiTM offers various degree programmes for lesser-qualified Malay students.
So, what is the issue, Maszlee? Ironically, he often talks about life-long learning and excellence in education. If you want national integration, the Education Ministry should get rid of the quota system and instead look into meritocracy for the pre-university foundation programme and matriculation for SPM leavers.
Look at the qualification, not 'kulitfication'.
We should muster the courage to move forward. The government must have a more progressive attitude. The current system based on racial quotas will continue to segregate our society, and will allow race-based politicians to continue politicising education.
Racism impairs social cohesion.
There are urgent matters that need the minister’s attention. He should focus on improving the country’s education standards, empowering teachers and students and preparing them to face Industry Revolution 4.0.
Show that the ministry cares about all Malaysians who are entitled to the right to education.
Education should not encourage ethnic polarity.
M VIVEK served as an aide to several former MIC deputy ministers.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
