I want nationalisation, not end of vernacular schools, says Wan Fayhsal

Kamles Kumar Diyana Ibrahim Kamles Kumar, Diyana Ibrahim Updated 3 years ago · Published on 8 Nov 2020 7:00AM · 7 Comments

Many parents, even Malays, are shunning national schools and sending their children to vernacular schools, especially Chinese ones, because of the perceived lack-of-quality issues. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, November 8, 2020.

BERSATU youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal denies calling for the abolition of vernacular schools but for these institutions to be nationalised.

He said many parties have debated this issue without knowing why the British introduced the vernacular system.

“If we understand the context, we would understand why Bahasa Melayu was the national language, Islam the nation’s official religion and why we want the national schools to play an important role in uniting people.

“Vernacular schools should be nationalised so it reflects the national spirit and demeanour,” Wan Fayshal told The Malaysian Insight.

The deputy youth and sports minister sparked controversy previously for urging the abolishment of vernacular schools in stages.

Wan Fahysal said this in response to Unity Minister Halimah Mohamad Sadique, who assures that Perikatan Nasional would not abolish vernacular schools.

Senator Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal admits that national schools need to improve on things like appearing too religious. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, November 8, 2020.

The senator, however, acknowledges that many parents, even Malays, are sending their children to vernacular schools, especially Chinese schools.

Wan Fayhsal said it’s similar to the British rule in the country where Malay parents at the time sent their children to missionary schools for a better future.

“Last time there were a lot of Malay parents who sent their children to missionary schools as they realised these schools guaranteed their future in society.”

He said although there are weaknesses in the national school education system, it does not mean that they lack quality.

National schools also produced many successful pupils who not only became leaders but also excelled in the corporate world, he said.

Wan Fayhsal said the school education system needs to be tweaked and improve certain weaknesses, such as appearing too religious.

He said because of this, non-Malay parents are dissuaded from sending their children to national schools.

“I agree with criticism that national schools are seen to be more Islamic. These are our national schools, not religious schools. We cannot emphasise on rituals too much.

“National schools are schools for all. There should be focus on Islam in schools but not too much as we do not want to deter the non-Malays from sending their children to national schools.” – November 8, 2020.

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Comments

  • The real elephant in the room is national schools doesn't guarantee top students places in local universities, to take the longest & toughest route only to be denied due to quotas is too risky to bet your children's futures on for parents who can afford it.

    Posted 3 years ago by A Subscriber · Reply

  • Where does Sabah and Sarawak fit into this idea? They are equal partners therefore their languages have equal right to be the national language. Switzerland has 4 national languages and there is no issue with national identity or unity. Same with Canada, more than one national language. Parents have the right to choose the education they want for their children. As long as there is a national curriculum, there is sufficient opportunity to unify the country through education. Better teaching is what is needed.

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Just how do you nationalize? Changing the curriculum of vernacular schools, or adopting the systems schools are running now and make them national? Without a clear direction, your contention only appears fishy.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Since you have already acknowledged that there are real weaknesses in the National Schools leave the vernacular schools alone. Kids in these schools are not taught to be other than good citizens and the fact that parents of all ethnicities and religious persuasion send their kids there is a overweight endorsement of the quality of education. Time fir you to rectify the weaknesses of the national schools

    Posted 3 years ago by Michael Raj · Reply

  • Nationalize means dumb down and lower the bar. Why are these ministers keen on lowering and even destroying higher standards, probably because they are stupid and want the rest to be as stupid as them. They have killed mission schools, most parents have said the funeral rites over national schools. Now they after vernacular schools. Strange they dont touch international schools where most of the rich and positions send their children to. And they are strong on the English language.

    Posted 3 years ago by Alphonz Jayaratnam · Reply

  • If our national schools make English and Malay as the medium of instruction and increase the standards, you will see more parents of different ethnicities enrolling their children in our national schools.

    Posted 3 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • Reduced the amount of time allocated for religious studies in the national school cirriculum first. Reintroduce English language for science and maths. Reintroduce lessons for pupil's own language ("POL"). All these will make National type schools popular again. More importantly, it will NOT make all of us less loyal Malaysians.

    Do not politize education please. Schools are places for molding young minds to get them ready to face the modern world which is technology centric. A basic foundation in religion will make them a better person with the right ethics and values. Too much religion will make them a misfit in society.

    I hope YB Fayhsal understands the importance of a balanced and depoliticized education as an indispensable foundation to a young person's future.

    Posted 3 years ago by Super Duper · Reply