PM: Only Malaysia has national-type school system

By Hamdan Raja Abdullah and Mohd Farhaan Shah, The Star

MUAR: The national-type school system – which provides education in vernacular languages apart from the national language -is only practised in Malaysia and not anywhere else in the region or in the world, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the country’s founding fathers agreed on this multi-education approach so that the different races of the nation could continue to use their mother tongue as well as practise their traditions and cultures.

“This is a unique system and only found in Malaysia, where all races are allowed to maintain their language, traditions and cultures.

“Our founding fathers had opted for integration – rather than assimilation – among the different races,” he said, when opening a new school block for SJK(C) Soon Cheng in Sungai Abong, near here, Saturday.

Najib added that although Bahasa Malaysia is the national language, other languages have been maintained.

Regarding Chinese education, Najib commended the community for making education and learning a priority and praised them for always willing to contribute to these matters.

“Such strong commitment to education helped the community to build many Chinese schools in the country,” adding this commitment also helped Chinese Malaysians to achieve economic growth and success.

Najib said besides their academic knowledge in such fields as the sciences and mathematics, the community is also known for their quest of business and entrepreneurial knowledge.

“Making education and learning the top priority is a virtue that we all acknowledge and praise. We also appreciate their roles and contributions in national growth,” said Najib, adding every race in the country has its role in the country.