Vernacular schools a hot topic among Youth leaders in Melaka

MELAKA: The topic of vernacular schools has become a contentious issue between Melaka DAP Youth (Dapsy) and Umno Youth.

Melaka Dapsy chief Cassel Craig Krishnan said the wing is unsure whether Dr Muhammad Akmal's statement for a single-stream education system to strengthen national unity represented the views of the state government on vernacular schools owing that the latter is a state exco member and Merlimau assemblyman.

"Dr Muhamad Akmal has responded to the issue on vernacular schools in the recently concluded state legislative assembly and also expressed his views in a Facebook post," he said on Sunday (March 10).

Krishnan said it would be better for Dr Muhamad Akmal, who is also Umno Youth chief, to raise issues concerning his exco portfolio as Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman.

"He (Dr Muhammad Akmal) should focus on issues affecting his portfolio and not delve into other unrelated matters," he said on Sunday.

Krishnan said the state Dapsy believes that the cohesion among various races can be maintained through intensifying programmes such as the Student Integration Plan for Unity (Rimup) and inter-school sports activities without hitting out on the existence of vernacular schools.

Rimup is a programme which encourages locals, teachers and students in special activities involving the sharing of facilities, equipment, human resources and expertise.

Krishnan said the fundamentals of building solid cohesion among the country's multiethnic population lie in the hands of parents who need to instil the value of racial unity and patriotism into their children beginning at home.

"We have to look into the core elements that can strengthen the spirit of unity among the people," he added.

In an immediate response, Dr Muhamad Akmal, who is also Umno Youth chief, said his call for a reassessment of the vernacular education system came with good intention.

"We have to look at the bigger picture, a gap in values and a separation of understanding among the multiethnic Malaysian population still exists after 67 years of Independence," he said.

Dr Muhamad Akmal said he proposed a comprehensive assessment of the vernacular education structure in terms of curriculum alignment as well as implementation of national values, and mastery of Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

"What's wrong with me giving positive feedback on improving our national unity," he added.