No.
I understand there are numerous calls for vernacular schools to be abolished every year in the name of national unity. But there are better ways to promote national unity. Because the thing is, I assure you, even when everyone study in the same school, it's a natural tendency for them to segregate themselves into specific ethnic groups of friends. We need to be more holistic and critical in our approach towards promoting national unity. We should not resort to abolishing vernacular schools when it's the lowest hanging fruit.
Even if all Malaysians agreed to the abolishment of vernacular schools, it will be laborious to convert vernacular schools and cost a large sum of tax payers money. It's best we use the funds to improve upon our education system instead. We need to look at the big picture and put our personal interests aside.
Vernacular schools will always be Malaysia's symbol of democracy. Let's not forget our neighboring countries shut down vernacular schools, infringing the rights of
multiple languages. Vernacular schools only exist in Malaysia and is admired by many other countries.
I would suggest all Malaysians to look at this alternate perspective.
Back then, the standard of education in national schools is higher than vernacular schools. Many families send their kids to national schools without second thought. National schools were a beacon of unity a long time ago, as it was a true reflection of multiracial society.
Now, it's the other way round, more families send their kids to vernacular schools regardless of race, due to the growing incompetency of national schools.
So, If we learn from the mistakes from our past and present, we know how make both schools more inclusive to other races, regardless of the differences in the language that is delivered, unity can still be achieved if all schools have enrollment from different races.
This can only be achieved if we stop fighting with each other, we need to sit down with each other and have a healthy discussion on this, and normalize the debate on this sensitive topic that concerns our future generations.
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