National unity minister urges halt to vernacular schools polemic

National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang has called for a stop to the polemic surrounding vernacular schools, even as tensions rise.

In a statement today, he stressed that the long-standing educational institutions unite Malaysians.

Aaron also said the enrollment for non-Chinese and non-Indians has steadily increased since pre-pandemic, signifying how unity can blossom from anywhere if all parties are sincere.

“Furthermore, I want to emphasise again that vernacular schools are not a factor leading to division, but rather a draw towards unity.

“Enrollment data of non-Chinese students in Chinese vernacular schools and non-Indian students in Tamil vernacular schools have also shown a continuous increase from 2018 to 2023.

“This shows that unity among the people can be built anywhere if all parties are sincere,” he said.

A platform to mingle

He also said the ministry has conducted a study on the issue of vernacular schools and the findings showed it is actually a platform for students from all backgrounds to mingle and know each other.

“Last year, the ministry implemented the social deficit discourse by featuring experts in the field. The findings showed that the existence of vernacular schools should no longer be seen as opening up divisions between ethnicities.

“Instead, it should also serve as a platform to manage social harmony, similar to the role of national schools,” he added.

He also reiterated Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s defence over the government’s stance on vernacular schools, saying that it will continue to be under her ministry’s purview.

“I also fully support the stance of the education minister, who has stated that the Education Ministry will continue to uphold the vernacular education system as it is in line with Section 28 (establishment of National and National-Type Schools) of the Education Act 1996,” he said.

Malaysiakini reported Fadhlina’s pledge earlier today that the government has no intention to abolish vernacular schools.

Her response came after Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh urged the government to comprehensively evaluate the vernacular education system.

Advocating for reforms, Akmal urged the authorities to revisit the educational ecosystem within vernacular schools.

He stressed the need to instil a stronger sense of nationalism among students while concurrently enhancing their proficiency in the Malay language. - Mkini