What Is the Ideal School?

Reflecting on NST Jan 19, 2006's Commentary by Abdul Razak Ahmad entitled "COMMENT: ‘Ideal’ schools face multi-culturalism woe" (see below for full article) I am still trying to understand the objectives of the introduction of Mandarin and Tamil in schools. Here are some of my thoughts.


Too much effort to facilitate multi-culturalism?

Of late much of the local news talks about the need to enhance multi-culturalism in schools. There is to some extent admission that the Sekolah Kebangsaans are too centered on a particular race and religion and this gives a not-so-positive perception of these schools. Hence, the MOE is trying to address this perception, on reason is the introduction of the Mandarin and Tamil classes (an initiative hit the wall due to shortage of teachers). How will it be introduced and who will learn them? Will be similar to the POL lessons we had back in the 70's? The bigger question is how will be the multiculturalism be enhanced with the introduction of these two languages?

I think this is a "hit and miss" situation. Firstly, I think parents who send their children to Chinese schools (particularly) and Tamil Schools do so not because of language alone. In the case of Chinese schools, it is the perception that they are more discipline when it comes to learning maths and science - better for students, language is secondary - at least this is what I understand. This is the main reason non-Chinese sends their children to schools from what I gather. Another reason is the perception that the Sekolah Kebangsaans tend to be "too Islamic" and non-muslim parents would not want to send their children there. Can the mere introduction of the Mandarin and Tamil lessons be able to address this. Is this an effort balance numbera of the Malays-Chinese-Indian ratio in the Sekolah Kebangsaans merely to statistically demonstrate schools are multi-cultural?

I personally feel that there is not enough effort to really build bridges across the cultures. It seems that there are just too much effort to encourage assimilation of cultures but not enough effort put to promote inter-cultural appreciation.

Perhaps the MOE needs to do a poll and get real feedback from the ground to hear from the parents (and students) what they feel and what they want.


What about academic, personal and spiritual development?

The bigger picture which I feel the MOE needs to really address is this - are our schools churning individuals who are developed (at least prepared) to be academically, socially and spiritually round? Is our current education system really helping our future generation be thinking, mature people. Perhaps this is the common denominator that cuts accross all racial and cultural changes, perhaps we should all start thinking about our children's future and not get too caught up in the multiculturalism thingy.

Are we providing wholesome enough and all rounded education to our children to be better people?

Regards,
KV

Link to NST Jan 19, 2006's Commentary by Abdul Razak Ahmad entitled "COMMENT: ‘Ideal’ schools face multi-culturalism woe"