Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IF school is where knowledge is supposedly imparted and experience gained by students, then the findings of a recent survey should make educators and concerned parents take notice.

The pioneering study suggests that instead of liberating the minds of young people, some schools have degenerated into a storehouse of discrimination of various kinds informed by bigotry, parochialism and racism. This is obviously disturbing and requires action to be taken by the authorities.

The Discrimination in Education survey, commissioned recently by a civil society group initiative, Sekolah Semua, found that of the 2,441 respondents interviewed, about 50% reported having experienced perceived discrimination in education.

The survey noted, though, that each respondent differed in his or her understanding of discrimination.

Of those who felt discriminated against, for instance, 36% experienced verbal discrimination, 21% experienced harassment or bullying, and 18% were denied access to opportunities because of their identities.

Any form of discrimination, particularly identity-based discrimination, should be seen as a social disease that should be dealt with at the school level, so as to discourage students from bringing this baggage along as they enter into the larger society after graduating from school.

Among those who experienced discrimination, it is significant that Indian respondents reported more experiences of perceived race-based discrimination in schools (87%) than other ethnic groups.

The Indian respondents had the highest rate of experiencing verbal discrimination (54%) and being denied access to opportunities because of their identity (40%) compared to other ethnic groups.

Minorities, in this case ethnic Indian students, should not have to bear the brunt of discrimination that is perpetrated by certain quarters who look at people outside of their ethnic communities with disdain.

If society is to move forward, there has to be mutual understanding and respect, while the basic human rights of minorities as citizens in particular ought to be honoured.

Cynics may argue that what happens in schools is a microcosm of the wider society, and therefore it helps to inform the students of the harsh social reality.

However, it could be countered that students should be sensitive to these issues so that when they grow older, they are expected to make a difference and change things for the better.

In other words, they should not accept discrimination of various sorts and injustice in society as something normal or worse, partake in these dark practices.

For instance, the low rate of employment of non-Malays in the civil service has been a cause for concern and unhappiness over the years for the affected communities, especially in a diverse society such as ours.

The predominance of Malays in the government sector may be partly attributed to the affirmative action policy, which nonetheless should be tempered with a sense of justice and meritocracy.

Be that as it may, the composition of the bureaucracy should largely reflect the demographics of the country and steps should be taken to improve the situation so that it would be, incidentally, in line with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s notion of a Malaysian family.

Given such a social context, the recent assurance made by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Affendi Buang that the Malaysian Armed Forces does not have any racial quota for the recruitment of soldiers is welcome.

Selection, he added, is exercised in a fair and transparent way that is blind to the factor of race and religion.

This is equivalent to saying that the armed forces, which is also predominantly Malay in composition, is an equal opportunity employer that offers career opportunities to those from various backgrounds who are dedicated to protecting our country and its people.

After all, serving the beloved homeland, or ‘tanah air tercinta’, should not be the preserve of any one particular ethnic group.

As a step towards making a better society, schools should be committed towards building good character out of students.

While good grades are important to students, parents and schools, it should not be prioritised at the expense of inculcating good values to combat discriminatory practices and injustice in our daily lives. – September 20, 2021.