I seldom disagree with the view points of the writers in MerdekaReview.com (a chinese language political news portal). However, I can not agree with one of the article published today that accused Prof Emeritus Dr Khoo Kay Kim of being narrow minded, for supporting the single stream education system. Instead, those who against this idea is even more narrow minded or infact chinese/Indian chauvinist.
How can Prof Khoo views be interpreted as narrow minded? Prof Khoo is merely expressing his view point on how to promote national unity. Isn't national unity is paramount for a multi racial country like Malaysia. Is Prof Khoo wrong in the first place?
Also reported in Malaysiakini.com, the forever MIC President, Samy Vellu said something rediculous, for an obvious political reason. He said that "As far as Tamil schools are concerned, the (Indian) pupils will be able to to mix with children of other races when they go to secondary schools”. Ai yo yo Samy! do you honestly think that it is easier for the Indian pupils to mix around with other races when they become teenages?
I'm just like any other non-malay, sceptical about BN government's ability to implement a good and fair education system for everyone (I'm sick of the policy u-turn in using English to teach Science and Math subjects). But that won't make me to jump into conclusion that the single stream education is not good and totally reject the idea without thinking further on how to make it possible, without sacrifying too much of our rights to learn chinese.
Although I don't think very highly on the government's education plan but lets stop objecting the idea for the same old reasons which made us chinese looks anti unity and narrow minded. We should explore government's plan for this single stream education system and give constructive suggetion for the government to consider. We can always reject if the bad things outweight the good ones in the system.
Although Singapore's education system may not be the best but it is a good classic example that single stream education does help in promoting national unity. Are Singaporean Chinese less Chinese compared to Malaysian Chinese? Has Singapore Chinese forgotten about their roots and culture?
Honestly, I think non-malay are not against single stream education or rather, they are against the use of Bahasa as medium of teaching in school. I don't think the non-malays will object so hard if the government says English is going to be the first language and chinese becomes the compulsory second language in school.
Lets face it! This is the truth, nothing but the truth, truth that a single stream education system is important in promoting national unity. Don't always hide behind the veil of Chinese Educationist. Don't protect just for the sake of protecting!
Lastly, don't get me wrong. Me too insist that my children must have adequate opportunity to learn chinese and understand chinese culture, no compromise on this. But we should be open enough on how to achieve that and help to find a solution that benefit all, rather than just objecting. Our education system can not be remain unchanged forever.
Visit the following link if you can read chinese, you will find the justifications are so silly and laughable.
