No racism, bullying in Chinese schools - parents

 

Amid the brouhaha surrounding an academic’s claim that Chinese schools sow racism, parents who send their children to vernacular schools have dismissed such a notion.

A survey of parents, including those who are not Chinese, at vernacular schools around the Klang Valley told KiniTV that their children adapted well at such schools and were not mistreated.

A parent, who only wanted to be known as Khairul Azwan, said it was his wife’s suggestion to send their seven-year-old daughter to a Chinese school.

In addition to learning Mandarin, his child would also get to learn English better as the school prioritises language studies, he said.

“Her mother used to study at a Chinese school too, hence the suggestion.

“There is no problem. My daughter mingled with everyone. It is the same as any kebangsaan (national) school, there’s only the Mandarin language as an extra,” the 33-year-old told Malaysiakini.

The survey was conducted to gauge parents’ responses to the claim by academician Teo Kok Seong that Chinese schools propagate racism.

Teo also claimed the Chinese community has negative perceptions of the Malay and Indian communities.

The remark prompted Seputeh MP Teresa Kok to call for the police to investigate Teo.

Another parent, Jerma Junaidi, said her 10-year-old daughter refuses to get transferred out of her current school and has opted to take Mandarin tuition classes to improve her mastery of the language.

“Teachers told me that my daughter’s Mandarin level was a bit weak, and suggested either transferring her out to another school or taking tuition. I chose the latter.

“When I asked my daughter about it, she said she liked the school very much,” said the woman, who is half-Filipino and speaks fluent Tagalog.

She urged parents to be more open-minded and let their children learn extra languages.

Extra language benefit

Bahtiar Mohd Isa has two of his sons enrolled in the vernacular education system, as have several of his friends.

He sees the extra language learned - Mandarin - as an added benefit for his children.

The 49-year-old said his sons are adapting well at the school they are enrolled in and are comfortable communicating in Mandarin with their friends.

He added that his children have not been subjected to bullying or mistreatment by their peers.

Thus, Bahtiar sees no need for a single-stream school, especially in a multiracial country like Malaysia.

Another father, who only wanted to be identified as Henry, has three children enrolled in the vernacular education system.

According to him, his children, aged between 8 and 13, speak fluent Mandarin, English, and Bahasa Malaysia.

Like Bahtiar, Henry also dismissed any bullying involving his children and pointed out that such cases can happen either in the mainstream or vernacular school system.

“My son can learn how to survive here. Here in school, he gets to meet other races than the Malays. So that when he goes outside, he wouldn’t have problems mingling around,” said the 41-year-old.

Equal treatment

Abdul Muiz Mohd Basar wanted his eight-year-old son to learn an extra language so he would have an added advantage when looking for a job later.

He proudly proclaimed that his son has become a competitive student among his classmates, both academically and in extra-curricular activities.

“He never complains about any racial issues and he is very comfortable being friends with his Chinese peers,” said the 39-year-old.

Mother Vivian Soh, who has her children enrolled in the vernacular system, echoed Abdul Muiz on the language mastery aspect.

“If I send them to regular school, they would have problems learning Mandarin because it is easier to learn Bahasa Melayu and English.

“ABC is easier to learn, unlike Mandarin because you have to remember a lot of things. Each stroke carries a different meaning,” she added.

Being Chinese herself, Soh dismissed the claim that students from the community looked down on Malay students.

“This depends on how the students are educated by their respective families on the matter, but I don’t think it is an issue,” she said.

Soh said she would have no problem enrolling her children in national schools if the issues plaguing them were solved.

Another mother, Sally Fong, also vouched for the extra language advantage.

“My sister-in-law is Malay and she too sends her children to a Chinese school.

“The Chinese and Malays can live together in harmony. We don’t have any (racial) problems and everything is well,” said the 50-year-old. - Mkini