Single Stream Schools - extraordinaire?

Published: Tuesday November 3, 2009 MYT 7:58:00 PM
Single-stream schools: All must agree, says PM
By JOSHUA FOONG

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians have to collectively agree upon an education system that benefits all and which espouses the values that they uphold, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I have heard many have called for a switch to a single-stream system as a way to promote greater unity and integration among Malaysians,” Najib said on his blog on Monday.

“However, ‘many’ do not constitute ‘most’. I have also heard many who feel strongly for the right to choose based on the existing education system.

“I have heard these two different opinions and acknowledge them.

“Are we prepared to shun the right to choose and seek a compromise?” he said, in asking for feedback from the Malaysian people.

Najib also asked if those voicing their viewpoints had given thought to the differing opinions of others.

“While the public is still ambivalent and disinclined to make that collective decision, I do not wish for discord to arise within our society on a subject of great sensitivity,” he said, adding that even the noblest of intentions can be rendered pointless if all Malaysians are not prepared to accept and embrace it.

Earlier on Oct 31, Najib announced that a single-stream school system would not be implemented because Malaysians were not collectively ready for it.

In JOHOR BARU, several non-governmental organisations said they were against the implementation of a single stream in schools as they were worried that their communities’ “unique identities would be lost,” report NELSON BENJAMIN and K.C. CHAN.

They feel that the Government should come up with other policies to promote unity.

The 1Malaysia concept is a good one, “but education is something very important and we cannot do anything that would confuse our younger generation,” said Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association manager Eric Ku.

He said the Government had to consider other races in the country, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, before shifting to a whole new direction.

“I believe all races have their strong cultural and historical backgrounds and they should be given a choice of which education system they prefer,” Ku said.

The National Association of Religious Teachers of West Malaysia Johor branch president Samsudin Samudi said a single stream might not be necessary to unite Malaysians.

“The current multiple-stream system has been working fine. The most important thing is how we infuse the culture of unity in the younger generation,” he said.

He argued that the concept of 1Malaysia did not necessarily have to begin in school but should be implemented at “a higher level with fair and equal policies for everyone.”

“I am not saying we have a perfect education system but it does not mean that by changing to a new policy, we would become more united,” he said.

Malaysian Hindu Sangam Johor chief R. Ramakrishnan said his members did not want any changes to affect students studying in Tamil schools.

He said that if the Government was serious about promoting unity, there should be more opportunities for all races in the public sector.

“Minor things like serving beef during government functions should also be stopped as the Government must be sensitive to the needs of all races, even if they are a minority,” he said.

Last week, Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was all for single-stream schools to promote unity and 1Malaysia.

However, he said the issue should be looked at in its totality with views from all quarters, including those of the Chinese and Indian communities.