1Education for 1Malaysian

1Education for 1Malaysia is still far away from us.

The above impression can be derived from the recent response of DPM on the status of Chinese education in the country. The Chinese Educationist emphasized on the matter of government recognizing certificate issued by the Chinese independent Middle school as well as equal financial assistance to the Chinese schools.

DPM cited reason for not recognizing mainly because the Chinese Independent School does not comply with the government’s education policy.

The fact is that the Chinese community has always not been in full agreement with the government’s education policy all along despite represented by mainly MCA and Gerakan in the so-called coalition of Barisan Nasional (BN). It's the inability of MCA or Gerakan or the lot over a number of the rights that costed them dearly in the last general election.

The common complaint is that the government should have done a lot more, and be more sincere, sympathetic towards the struggle of Chinese education; on the contrary, the Chinese schools should be strongly supported with official recognition too. The Chinese Malaysian especially the yonger generation simply do not accept the government education policy. The situation is like having a coach pulled by two horses in different direction.

Simply put, the Government and the people are not in good term on this issue.

It’s common knowledge that the Chinese educationist has been turning out thousands of quality graduates over the years and had therefore contributed a lot for the country as well as our neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and China.

Why can’t our government recognize these graduates and the achievements of the educationists? Aren't they deserve some appreciation from the government for the efforts? Is our education policy and administration being overly politicized or polarized?

A compromise from both the government and the public on the issue of education is important especially for the Chinese independent Middle school system that has been proven to be one of the successful and established institution in Malaysia. It’s to the benefit of Malaysian that the Chinese independent Middle school system be evolutionary merged with the national education policy if the country is to move forward to the advance state as envisaged in 1Malaysia.

1Education must be an education policy based on the needs of the various communities, and not by a few overly ambitious politicians or civil servants based on their own agenda. Community educational needs must be respected, honoured, and helped by the government of the day. It’s the duty and responsibility of the government to cater for the needs of all the different races and creeds of the society.

There shouldn't be naivety thinking that 1Education is to be based on 1 type of culture and language only. Instead, it should be based on the reality of Malaysia that is multi-racial, cultures, and languages. Perhaps, the Education Minister should visit Sabah more often to see how 1Malaysia should be like. In Sabah, all the residents are are Sabahan, everyone just like brothers and sisters; something West Malaysian had lost forever since the day of independence.

1Education for 1Malaysian has to be based on equality, respect, and mutual acceptance, and nothing else.