Vernacular schools.

It take an educationist to say what should be said but never dared said by politicians ...that vernacular schools should be abolished. After more than 50 years of independence we are still talking about polarization, Chinese ,Malays Indians instead of Malaysians.The problem surely must have something to do with mindset which in terms is related in one way or other related to education. Why the need for vernacular schools? Why not Malaysian schools where all races can study together and perhaps compete with each other on equal terms.If children of all races study and play together we will not have problems like some jokers giving money to the Chinese in white envelopes or Chinese eating pork in front of Malays.It is through the education system that we can hope to achieve the objective of 1 Malaysia and not just through the shouting of slogans and finger signs . Why are we so particular and protective of vernacular schools? the usual rationale is that the Chinese and Indians want their children to be able to read , write and converse in the mother tongue.Is this objective such a big deal and can it only be achieved through vernacular schools?People do not think out of the box.It seems to me if this is the objective it can surely be achieved through national schools.All it needs is a little adjustment to the timetable and the schooling hours.People choose not to think of options when the objective is just to expose their children to the mother tongue. Nation building requires a far sighted and bold education system.We should no longer think of our interests as Chinese ,Malays or Indians but as Malaysians.the sad thing is our education system is determined by politicians whose level of thinking is more towards their self interest.Equal educational opportunities for all? Easier said than done.Can you imagine the abolishing of all Malay residential schools ,Mara institutions ,Matriculation programs etc? These are divisive institutions and meant only for one race .If we are bold enough to abolish the vernacular schools we should be bold enough to abolish all the "one race" institutions and create a Malaysian institute of education where all races can study and play together without favor or discrimination and go on the principle of "May the best win". Question is can we and dare we ? ". Just because an academician makes a suggestion that vernacular schools be abolished and gives sound reasons for his comments the Chinese and the Indians cry "Sedition ".What is there so special about the vernacular schools that they must be so protected ? What is there in these schools that cannot be learned in the national schools. Its a matter of looking at the curriculum and having the courage to make changes in the interests of nation building. Talk of vernacular schools with little govt. support, children studying in pathetic conditions and you will realize that there is a strong case for only one type of school ..the Malaysian school where every child will follow the same curriculum and have equal opportunities in terms of facilities, buildings and teachers.This must make a lot of sense and you tell me when somebody brave enough to call for the abolishing of vernacular schools why is there such a big outcry ? Think of a school system where the children follow the same curriculum, have opportunity to study the mother tongue,learn and play together,enjoy equal opportunities and facilities and you are beginning to think out of the box and perhaps realize that it takes courage and farsightedness to call for the abolishing of vernacular schools and have the wisdom to create a Malaysian school which will be the foundation of a strong Malaysia.