11-30-2021, 02:52 PM
![[Image: Chinese-Student-Murid-Cina-File-pic-280319.jpg]](https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Chinese-Student-Murid-Cina-File-pic-280319.jpg)
PETALING JAYA: The calls to abolish vernacular schools has nothing to do with language proficiency or the level of education they provide, but are instead driven by racist perceptions towards these institutions.
Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy said that the long-running debate, reignited this week by Bersatu’s youth wing and a lawsuit filed by three Malay students groups, is fueled by a lack of acceptance of Malay not being the primary mode of instruction in these schools.
“Over the years, vernacular schools have become more integrated with the national system of education,” he said, contrary to some who paint these institutions as outsiders in the system.
The DAP leader said there is “no basis whatsoever” to allegations that vernacular school students lack Malay proficiency, as pushed by Bersatu Youth information chief Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir.
“This is a wild allegation that is not backed up with facts and figures. Even students in the national schools suffer from the lack of proficiency not only in Malay but also in English.
“The major weakness of our education system is the lack of proficiency in English in both the categories of schools,” Ramasamy said.
- More -