Then and Now

Its amusing when we hear and read about all the hoo ha and jive about 1 Malaysia and the role of the English language.Being one who lived through the pre merdeka and post merdeka days one can easily see the differences.
When I was a kid we went to only two types of schools ,the govt.schools or the mission schools.Chinese,Indians .Malays and other races kids studied together.The medium of instruction was English and the teachers were all so proficient in the language.We ate together,played together and studied together.The teachers being teachers by choice were dedicated and knowledgeable and under such circumstances the students who were their products were also good.
No qualms about where to eat ,who is the superior race,who should get aid and etc and people lived happily side by side.During the festivals neighbours would send goodies over to the neighbour's house and they in turn would happily eat such goodies.Today,are the goodies sent over halal or not? Should we accept or not?
Pre merdeka days people would eat anywhere.The Malays too would not hesitate to go to a Chinese restaurant as long as no pork is served and they would now and then join their friends for a glass of beer..no big deal.
After more than 50 years of Merdeka we have so many types of schools geared to divide the people instead of uniting them.Can you imagine in Agama Schools there are no English books in the library?Who turn out to be the losers in such schools?When politicians determine the direction of the education system this is what happens!
Indeed, on looking at things from so many perspectives one can help but feel that socially and morally we have actually gone backwards despite the fact that more than 50 years have elapsed since we became independent!!!