Whose education is it anyway?

Education should not be politicised and it certainly would not be fair to the children. Moreover, it is wrong.

However, a question lingers in my mind: whose education is it anyway?

In the old days, children would just attend any school near their homes. But the trend has changed in the recent years.

I do not have the latest statistics with me, but private and international schools are mushrooming in various neighborhoods in this country.

What this tells us is that there is demand.

Next, why are many parents considering sending their children to private and international schools despite the exorbitant fees, and not national schools?

The discussion on education is often politicised for the wrong reasons. That means we need to look at our education system. It has to be inclusive, not lopsided.

One good example is the recent “friendly reminder” by Universiti Malaya to their staff and students to stay away from politics.

I quote, “Adalah menjadi satu kewajipan staf Universiti Malaya pada setiap masa memberikan taat setianya kepada Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Negara, Kerajaan dan Universiti Malaya.”

I find this statement disturbingly illogical. Is it telling that no one is allowed to question the government of the day and its policies day even if we think they are not right?

Is that how we should educate our children? Even when they feel something amiss?

And does it tell the world by banning Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir from participating in forums in public universities?

Such a ban of is nothing new; to make it worse, it has been imposed on public figures especially those critical of government policies.

It is a shame. It is really time for the university administrators to change their mindset and to openly welcome diverse views.

Having said so, the drop in education integrity is the product of political agenda in drawing up education policies over the years.

For instance, at one point, the education ministry wanted us to strengthen Bahasa Malaysia, as it is the national language. However, at the same time, we were asked to improve our English to face the challenges of globalisation.

Education is all about serving the best interests of the child. However, some groups, particularly the politicians, have diluted this.

More importantly, we should not further burden our students who are already subjected immense stress by such policy changes.

After all, whose education is it anyway? – January 19, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.