Malaysia’s evolving education system reflects efforts to bridge ethnic divide, says Unity minister

EDUCATION has long played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity, as well as to promote unity among the people.

Malaysia’s evolving education system has, over the years, been reflecting the government’s efforts to bridge ethnic divide, and cultivate a spirit of acceptance and tolerance.

Central to this effort is the existence of vernacular and religious schools where they play a crucial role in the preservation of cultural heritage, gain fluency in multiple languages such as Mandarin or Tamil, and contributing to national unity by serving as a platform for cross-cultural engagement.

However, there are still critics of the vernacular school system who have raised several concerns, particularly in the context of national unity and social integration.

National Unity Minister Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang says this all boils down to perception.

“The existence of vernacular and religious schools has gone through a long historical process, and was finally agreed upon after taking into account various factors.

“Therefore, their establishment can no longer be regarded as a contributing factor to ethnic and cultural segregation.

“In fact, these schools should be considered as a field for managing social harmony similar to that of the role played by national schools,” he said in a special interview.

The minister said data had shown that there was a rising trend of non-Chinese students in Chinese primary schools nationwide, where the latest figure had reported that almost 20 per cent of students in these schools were non-Chinese.

“The number has increased from 17,309 in 1989 (3.05 per cent) to 52,043 in 1998 (8.66 per cent), 72,443 in 2010 (11.84 per cent), and 101,011 in 2020 (19.75 per cent).

“Another example is in my constituency where we have 11 Chinese schools, and around 60 to 70 per cent of these students are Bumiputeras, mainly Ibans. This is because the majority of the Chinese community have migrated to the city so only the old folks are staying behind,” said the Kanowit MP.

Aaron said managing social harmony depended on four factors: adaptability, goals, integration and latency.

“Therefore, the vernacular and religious education sector needs to be able to manage these four things in order to create social order in their schools.

“Teachers also need to play their role in providing a medium for spreading and applying the ideology of unity so that it can be understood, respected and accepted by all students.”

Aaron also suggested that the implementation of joint programmes between national and national-type schools be carried out towards addressing the issue of vernacular and religious schools.

“The policies in managing social harmony and applying the aspects of unity need to be included in this joint activity.”

In this aspect, Aaron hailed Sarawak as ‘a shining example’ of how national unity could be achieved through appreciation and preservation of diversity.

“With more than 27 ethnic groups, including Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Malay, Sarawak has succeeded in creating harmony and balance among its people.”

He said Sarawak’s unity model could be broken down into several important aspects, including government support and inclusive policies.

“The Sarawak government has introduced policies that support social harmony including in the economic, social and political fields.

“Fair and equitable development programmes ensure that all races get equal benefits and fair opportunities in the development of the state,” he said.

He also said the present Sarawak government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, had been very inclusive in its policies.

“One of the initiatives taken by the Sarawak government is the distribution of grants from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to non-Muslim bodies and houses of worships, which I understand has been allocated more than RM200 million.

“This has never happened in Peninsular Malaysia and Unifor, which is now in its fourth or fifth year of establishment, is allocating grants to assist other religions in building new houses of worships, as well as maintenance of the present ones.

“This is where the Sarawak government is inclusive in that sense.”

Other aspects, said Aaron, included Sarawak’s emphasis on the importance of dialogues between communities and meetings with community leaders to resolve any issue and promote inter-ethnic cooperation, as well as joint festivals and events involving all races, deemed to be an effective way to strengthen relationships.

The minister also talked about the ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (Togetherness) concept – a culture long practised in Sarawak.

“This has succeeded in creating stability and harmony; thus, making Sarawak the best model of unity in the country.

“This theme was also adopted by the federal government through the Ministry of National Unity as the theme of the ‘Unity Week Celebration’.”

According to Aaron, Sarawakians are usually described as ‘a pluralistic society that always prioritises ethnic, cultural and religious tolerance’.

“It is no wonder that Kuching is known as a ‘City of Unity’ where the social activities of the community, especially in economic activities, are inter and intra-ethnic.

“In addition, the ethnic and religious identity in Sarawak is dynamic and open.

‘The culture, daily cross-cultural interactions and local cultures that have existed for generations create emotional and historical bonds that have given birth to a high spirit of togetherness among the community,” he remarked.

Aaron also said the uniqueness of Sarawak stemmed from its own people because this mould was ‘formed naturally, and not by regulation’.

“It is therefore not surprising when Sarawak is used as a model of unity and harmony in our country. We can see a society that celebrates diversity in the social structure of the community.

“In addition, the community also has a high understanding of the concepts of understanding, respect and acceptance.

“This is what we call ‘Unity in Diversity’,” said Aaron.