Vernacular schools not stumbling blocks to national unity, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese and Tamil schools are not stumbling blocks to national unity, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

"Multi-stream education has manifested the beauty of Malaysia's multiculturalism and has nurtured and groomed countless multilingual talents in different fields and sectors. No one can deny this truth. "Moreover, currently, more than 20% of pupils in Chinese schools are non-Chinese," he said.

The MCA president was referring to academics who have made accusations that vernacular schools have caused national disunity.

During his speech at the party's 75th anniversary celebration at Wisma MCA here on Saturday (March 9), he said that a comprehensive plan is needed to address the declining performance in mathematics and science.

"The level of mathematics and science in a country will reflect the overall strength of a country, and it is more evident with the emergence of artificial intelligence," he said.

Dr Wee said the recent 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) results revealed Malaysia's alarming drop to 51st out of 81 countries in performance, particularly in mathematics and science. This data has prompted calls for urgent action.

"I suggest the party fully utilise the advantages and experience of TAR UMT and UTAR in the subjects of science and technology," he said.

Dr Wee said professionals and academics from the two universities would be invited to form a special committee to study the current conditions and weaknesses in Malaysia's performance in mathematics and science.

"At the same time, the committee will make proposals for government policies and formulate implementable blueprints," he said.

Highlighting the importance of vocational education, Dr Wee addressed the need to strengthen VTAR Institute in its role in shaping a skilled and competitive workforce essential for Malaysia's industrialisation.

"By strengthening VTAR, we are not just nurturing skilled professionals; we are shaping the backbone of our nation's progress. The expansion of VTAR is crucial to accommodate more students, offer diverse courses, and ultimately position Malaysia as a powerhouse in vocational education," he said.

Dr Wee called for a 10-year roadmap for VTAR Institute to secure its position as a top vocational institute in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

"VTAR's growth is vital for our nation's future in vocational education and training (VET) systems. A well-defined roadmap will guide VTAR towards excellence, comparable to renowned vocational schools in Singapore, and reinforce Malaysia's standing as a hub for vocational education," he added.