Human Writes: Let’s consider bilingual education

The idea of dividing us by race so young just doesn’t feel right. It feels archaic in Malaysia Baru. Photo: The Star

One of the most contentious local issues (aside from the usual suspects of race and religion) is education. I’ve wanted to write on this issue for a while; now, in this era of nation-building for Malaysia Baru, it seems especially pertinent.

Education touches a raw nerve in this country. It is bitterly divisive, a political flashpoint that has sparked protests, as in 1987, and a perennial election issue. It runs deep as a concern of parents, who may scrimp and save to pay for tuition or an overseas education.