It is interesting to note that former Prime Minister Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad is in favour of a single stream schooling system for Malaysia. Currently, there are three types of schools at the primary level and two types at the secondary level.
At the primary level, there are national schools where the main medium of instruction is Malay, the Chinese-type national schools where Chinese is the main medium and the Tamil-type where Tamil is the main medium.
At the secondary school level, there is the national type school where Malay is the main medium and the religious-type where only Muslim students are allowed to attend and the curricula is mostly based on Islam.
If we are to have a single stream education, then it is not only Chinese and Tamil schools that should go. Islamic religious schools such as the Sekolah Menengah Agama Kebangsaan (SMAK) too should go! Why only blame Chinese and Tamil schools for the lack of integration. At least in Chinese schools, you have students of various races and religious backgrounds. But in religious schools, you only have Muslim students.
And as a concession for doing away with these schools, Chinese Language, Tamil Language and Islamic religious subjects such as Islamic Education, Tassawur, Arabic Language, Syariah and others should be taught within school hours.
And in regards to Sabah please do not forget the Kadazandusun and Murut languages.
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2 comments:
hmmm...i'm not sure they would do it exactly like you said. Will they close on all the Islamic religious school in favour of this single stream type. This reminds me of the 'Wawasan School'. What happens to that?
Different types of school breeds for specific purpose of leaders.
In the past, during British Borneo colony, regardless of race or religion, the Christian Missionary schools breeds the Western democratic based political leaders. Whereas the Chinese schools were to breeds business minded Sabahan who can strengthen the business link with HK & China for Sabah economy...
Now, building single Malay stream school will eventually close the door for Sabahan to reach for globalise learning and "Malay assimilation" will be impose especially to the natives of Borneo (caused the lost of Austronesian identity)... and colonisation by Tanah Melayu becomes solid truth.
Lastly, wonder what's the role for Islamic school? Besides importing the Arab culture here, what kind of contribution can provide in terms of global economy value? It's something Sabah leaders to ponders about.
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