CHINESE and Tamil vernacular schools have long existed in Malaysia and must be respected, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today,
Speaking at the Unity Week 2024 celebration in Johor Baru last night, he said the country's education system includes national schools for all races, as well as Chinese and Tamil schools.
"This diversity of schools reflects the demographic composition of different areas. Some comprise 100% Malays, while others have Chinese and Indian majorities.
"The existence of vernacular schools is not something that needs to be changed. Our role is to provide the necessary space, respect, and understanding," he was reported as saying.
Anwar said the Quran acknowledges differences in race, culture and language, which Muslims must not ignore.
"We are of different races, tribes (kabilah), regions, states, skin colours, and languages, and the al-Quran emphasises the need to recognise these differences and respect one another," he added.
In March, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry was committed to supporting vernacular schools.
She said the Education Ministry would continue to uphold the Education Act 1996, which recognises the establishment of such schools.
“This legislation recognises the schools, and we are committed to maintaining that stance in accordance with the law,” she said in response to a call from Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh for a reassessment of the vernacular education system. – May 26, 2024.
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