Let parents choose school for their children, Umno Youth told

 

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's suggestion for the government to consider a single-stream education system has drawn friendly fire from the Malacca DAP Youth.

In a statement, Malacca DAP Youth chief Cassel Craig Krishnan said the chapter censured Akmal for making such a suggestion, as they believe that parents should have choices when it comes to education for their children.

"In our view, the main issue that we should focus on is the right of parents to choose which schools they want to educate their children and shape their future.

"We believe every parent has their personal view on the direction of the country's education system, and the government should not force any family to send their children to an institution that is fixed by the government.

"(Besides), the increasing trend of parents sending their kids to vernacular schools has also raised the question of whether the quality of education at national schools no longer inspires confidence among parents," he said.

Malacca DAP Youth chief Cassel Craig Krishnan

Krishnan also suggested that Akmal's concern was misplaced when he linked single-stream school to national unity.

According to the DAP leader, national unity is more of a societal problem rather than education, adding that inspiring unity should start from home.

"Malacca DAP Youth is confident that unity can be inculcated without disturbing the existence of vernacular schools because unity can be instilled through other ways such as the Pupils Integration for Unity Programme (RIMUP) and inter-school sports activities.

"National unity is not a scholastic problem, it is a societal problem. Education starts at home, even before the children go to school. Regardless of what school they enrol in, be it vernacular schools, sports school, MRSM (Mara Junior Science College), boarding school, or an international school, the important factor is that our children must understand the importance of building unity and love for the country," he said.

Akmal’s suggestion

Yesterday, Akmal called for the government to conduct a detailed evaluation of the vernacular education system, by inculcating nationalistic aspects while strengthening its students’ command of the Malay language.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh

"At the same time, we urge the government to improve the national education system and come up with measures to attract students from all races.

"The government should also consider interim measures such as medium and long-term road maps towards an integrated education model, which is based on common values and sense of belonging among the multiracial nation, without setting aside the rights of races in Malaysia to preserve the heritage of their respective mother tongues," Akmal said in a statement.

On Wednesday (March 6), he suggested that Putrajaya refine the schooling system, saying that perhaps the time has come for a single-stream education system to be implemented. - Mkini