Remove the streaming system

I REFER to the report “‘Lack of interest a bleak sign for Malaysia’” (The Star, Sept 23) about the Government’s worry over low enrolments in science subjects in upper secondary school. I would like to provide some insights on why that is, and suggestions for tweaking the Malaysian school system so that interdisciplinary interests can be encouraged.

I spent 11 years in premier primary and secondary schools in Johor Baru, completing my SPM in 2002. I was always a passionate writer, and I dreamt about taking English Literature in my upper secondary years. I also scored high enough in my PMR exam to qualify for science stream. My school did not offer English Literature, and the closest – Malay Literature – was only offered to the “last class” – those who scored the least in the PMR exams.