Malaysian students should study in one medium school only

Before colonization, our education system consists of two types which are the modern secular system and the older religious system. Religion is marginalized as one subject among many in the former and hardly any modern subject is taught in the letter. Even when a modern subject is introduced in the latter it is not transformed, it retains its secular conceptual basis. Islamic education system evolved from an informal pondok-typed institution in the middle of the nineteenth century to the more organized and formal madrasah system in the early twentieth century. These types of learning institutions were founded by individuals, mostly ulama’ or by the local community.

During the colonization period, the British established schools as early as 1816 in Pulau Pinang, with English as the medium of instruction. The establishment of these schools, dualism in education began in Malaysia. This dual system affected the Malays considerably. The British administration later introduced Malay vernacular schools. Education for the Malays was limited to creating better fisherman and farmers because the British worried that an ‘over-educated’ population might rebel against colonial rule. During this period, Malay vernacular and English schools began to gain popularity among the Malays for economic and religious reasons. After independence, the government has introduced National-type school to compromise with the Chinese and Indians’ proposal.

Regarding to our topic which is “Malaysian students should study in one medium school only “, we agree with it for numerous reasons. Based on the education system before and during colonization, we have analyzed few advantages and disadvantages if only one medium school to be implemented by the government. The goal of Malaysian National Educational Policy is to achieve national unity. Therefore, if the government were to implement only one medium school, it will develop and strengthen the unity among Malaysian citizens that consist of different races and ethnics. For instance, when the students with different racial and ethnic groups study together in only one medium school, they have the chances to get along with each other and share their culture and customs. This will result in them respecting each other better.

Another advantage is to make the curriculum in our education system consistency. This will enable the Ministry of Education to improve for the betterment. Thus, it will make easier for the government to observe and manage the school. Besides that students do not have to worry and stressed out with a lot of subjects to learn. So, they can concentrate on their study and get better result.

Apart from that, we can produce students not only with good quality but also in a big amount of number. When students with different races learn and share their knowledge under one roof, it will leads to a good competition among them. They can also help each other and thus will foster unity among the students. Besides, their ability to share opinion during group discussion and other activities can evolve with their progress in studies. This type of learning will eventually produces students who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced, harmonious and of good quality. Government can also benefit from the implementation of one medium school since a well-balanced and quality individuals can contribute to the society, religion and the government as a whole.

Other than that, if the government develops only one medium school only, we can achieve democratization of education. There will be no different status between Chinese, Malay and Indian because all of us are at the same level. The existence of national-type schools has creates a gap between these three races. They do not have a chance to mix around and get to know each other. All the Malaysian includes Malay, Chinese, Indian and other races should be treated in the same level and we should not underestimate each other.

However, there are several disadvantages if there is only one medium school in our education system. The other races especially Chinese and Indian will took an opposing position to this proposal. They might not agree if the government decide to abolish national type schools. By hook or by crook they will protect their language, culture and custom. Chinese and Indian had important cultural significance, then parents prefer to send their children to National-type school because it is easy to deal with the management of the school as they are from the same races. For them, dealing with the same race is easier than dealing with other person that comes from different race. For examples, Chinese parents find that it is easy to communicate and deal with the school’s management because both parties use the same language. With a low proficiency in other language such as Malay language, it is hard for the Chinese to communicate with other races and that is why the Chinese find that it is hard to send their children to medium school.

The next disadvantage of sending the Malaysian students to one medium school is that the students don’t have the choices to choose the type of school they desire. Since the schools have equivalent curricular, students have to follow the rules that have been fixed by the Ministry of Education. Therefore, they cannot choose subjects they want. Apart from that, excess number of students that have the same achievement and come from the same streams, this will lead to the increasing number of unemployed graduates and dropouts.

To put in a nutshell, studying in one medium school can bring both advantages and disadvantages. However, the government still can improve and overcome the disadvantages occurred. Cooperation from all the parties involve is important to make this proposal a success.