BY: LEANNE K

The archaic and obsolete Bumiputra quota system for entry to matriculation courses is now beginning to be a bone of contention, as parents and students of Chinese and Indian descent question the obvious lack of meritocracy.

Malaysia appears to be practising a flawed democracy when it comes to education, and this is prompting and engendering a feeling of disquiet among the non-Malay-Muslim students and their parents all over the country.

Concerned educationists and non-governmental organisations are seeking out the education ministry to intervene and set things right, as, if nothing is done to address the unfairness and wrongs suffered by injured parties, it can create social tensions.

Malaysia’s Ministry of National Unity must also get down to work to cool rising tensions and racial polarisation in schools by having unity and inter-faith gatherings among teachers, students and their parents.

It is important in national schools for students to mix and mingle and moves must be made in this direction by instilling a basic tenet and obligation of democracy, which is meritocracy, for there to be present peace and harmony among students.

The ugly spectre of racism and feelings of hate among students should be nipped in the bud by parents and teachers to ensure that there is the integration of all races in schools in a systematic way, thus creating equal partnerships among students.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher