KUALA LANGAT: Vernacular schools are here to stay and the Education Ministry will continue to support them, says minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said the ministry would stand by the Education Act 1996 which recognises such schools.
“This Act recognises the schools, and we are committed to maintaining that stance in accordance with the law,” Fadhlina said after visiting SK Saujana Putra yesterday.
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Her statement comes after Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh called for a reassessment of the vernacular education system, claiming it was among the reasons for the lack of unity among the population.
“We acknowledge those opinions, but currently, the ministry is focused on bolstering the Education Act,” she said.
Dr Muhammad Akmal has since been criticised by many for his statement.
In Melaka, where Dr Muhamad Akmal made the statement as an exco member, state MCA chief Datuk Lim Ban Hong said he was happy to see various races like Malays, Kadazan, Bidayuh and Indians attending vernacular schools on the first day of the 2024 academic year.
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Lim, who visited SJK(C) Lih Jen in Klebang, said other vernacular schools in the state had similar enrolment.
“This is testimony that vernacular schools are not the cause of racial polarisation,” he said.
Pupils in states under Group B returned to class for the new school year yesterday. A total of 3.6 million students from pre-school to Form Five started their school session, including 927,528 in Selangor. Another 1.4 million in Group A started on Sunday.
Lim said many assemblymen and MPs were also products of vernacular schools, which contributed to the rich diversity of the education system.
“The existence of vernacular schools reflects Malaysia’s commitment to multiculturalism, allowing students to preserve their cultural identity while contributing to broader national unity,” he said, adding that vernacular schools also offer a strength to Malaysia by equipping students with proficiency in additional languages.
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The state DAP Youth, meanwhile, has asked the state government to make clear its stand on the vernacular schools.
Melaka Dapsy chief Cassel Craig Krishnan said the wing wanted to know if the Merlimau assemblyman’s statement represented the views of the state government.
Krishnan said it would be better for Dr Muhamad Akmal to raise issues concerning his portfolio as Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman.
Krishnan said the wing believes that cohesion among the various races can be improved through intensifying programmes relating to the student integration plan for unity (Rimup) and inter-school sports activities without hitting out at the vernacular schools.
Rimup is a programme that encourages locals, teachers and students to participate in special activities involving the sharing of facilities, equipment, human resources, and expertise.
Dr Muhamad Akmal has since defended himself, saying his call was a well-meaning one.
He said the assessment was needed to address the escalating tension from a system of separation at the most basic levels of society – schools.
“We have to look into a bigger picture, a gap in values and a separation of understanding among the multi-ethnic Malaysian population that still exists after 67 years of independence,” he said.
“What’s wrong with me giving positive feedback on improving our national unity?” he added.
