in defense of national schools

National News Agency Bernama ran this story featuring a renowned educationist Tan Sri Arshad Ayub in hurried defense of the national schools. According to Arshad, there is no substantial evidence - other than increased enrolment and public perception - that the SRJK(C)'s are indeed "greater" than the national schools. We are inclined to increase this generalization to encompass all national type schools, including those "specially" set up for a particular race.

Incidentally, Arshad was also the first Director of Institut Teknologi Mara (now UiTM), an exclusive institution for Bumiputras only.

At the very least, the gist of what Arshad wants to convey through his message is that if the problem exists in the national schools, it won't be solved by eliminating the so-called "competition", i.e. the SRJK(C)'s. Instead, the national schools' weaknesses should be identified and overcome. There is merit in his opinions.

"We must strengthen the position of the national schools by improving the position of teachers, that is, by providing teachers who are truly skilled in their respective fields. To me, this is most important. If this can be done, then the problem of people wanting to increase the SRJK(C) would not arise."

What can we learn from this?

Malaysians (especially the educated lot) are non-racist, non-judgmental and non-discriminative.

We are ready for unity. Barisan Nasional, however, is not.