ATTENDING a vernacular school does not diminish one’s sense of patriotism and national identity, said an academic group today.

Malaysian Academic Movement (Gerak) secretary-general, associate professor Rosli H. Mahat said the medium of education did not determine the pupils’ degree of patriotism.

He slammed calls from several quarters for the abolition of vernacular schools in the country.

“What does language have to do with whether you are patriotic? Whatever language you study in does not determine how much you love the country,” Rosli told the media today.

Last month, newly minted Bersatu youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said he was supportive of the party division’s stand to abolish vernacular schools.

The deputy youth and sports minister said vernacular schools did not produce students with s strong sense of national identity and that the schools’ existence was in conflict with the federal constitution.

Rosli today said more parents than ever were opting to send their children to vernacular or international schools over to national schools, the reason being the quality of education.

He said the government should look into the educational system of the national schools before condemning others.

“With the quality of our education now, I think more people would want to go to Chinese schools or to international schools rather than the sekolah kebangsaan.

“When we have Malays going to Chinese schools, there must be something that people like (about these schools).

“Why don’t some parents like the sekolah kebangsaan? Is it the best system we have? If it is, why don’t many want to go there or stay there? These are the questions that should be answered,” he said.

Rosli said Gerak fully supported vernacular schools and their continued existence as Malaysia was made up of diverse communities. 

He was speaking on the sidelines of the National Patriots’ Association’s (Patriot) launch of the Obor Akinabalu sajak (poem).

Patriot president Brig-Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said there was no reason for people to be stirring up the issue of vernacular schools.

“Vernacular schools started way back – before independence and proceeds till today. I don’t see any problem with that.

 “In fact, vernacular schools are good because they are very colourful. People are just making an issue out of it,” he said. 

On the launch of the poem on video, Arshad said although Obor Akinabalu (Torch of Grandfather Mountain) centred around Sabah, it touched upon various national issues.

Saroja Theavy Balakrishnan, who penned the words, said she chose to highlight Sabah because she was tired of politicking in the state.

“Sabah is such a beautiful place with diverse people. You can see utmost unity there.

“But due to politics, there was some political commotion. Some members of the assembly jumped ship causing the state government to fall and later be dissolved. 

“It was the right decision to dissolve the assembly because it’s the people’s mandate. They have the right to elect any party or leader they want, not politicians to jump like frogs and decide for the people,” the naturopathic physician said. – September 11, 2020.