There seems to be an issue in national schools where English is taught as a second language. These schools are slowly losing its appeal and parents are moving their children into international schools where English is the language of instruction or as some will call it, English-medium schools. So the issue is this; how can we make the national schools more appealing and provide a platform for integration of the different ethnic groups within a nation? Before we embark on pointing our fingers and the blame game let us look at the reasons why these schools lack appeal and parents are moving their kids out.
1. National schools have the majority of students from one particular race.
What is the implication of this? To have one race dominating a national school would mean that the culture of that school would slowly move away from a national culture to a race based culture. The way things are done, the attitude towards education, the discipline and the vision of the students for their future would be culturally influenced. The minority group in such a situation might not be satisfied. National schools have to maintain a national culture regardless of the student ethnic population. Race and religion should be kept to the sidelines. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task. While on paper it may seem an easy objective, in reality people tend to move towards their comfort zones and do things the way they are familiar with. School heads have to be firm and adhere to the national education objectives to ensure that a national identity is created where every individual of that school community is ensured a place and space for themselves.
2. National schools have the majority of teachers/educators from one particular race.
The implication. The teaching and learning scenario in the classroom will be influenced by the race-based factors of these educators. In the process of teaching and learning, educators will inevitably pass on to their students their point of view on many issues and hence, influence their charges tremendously. Let us not forget, teachers are human and their background and stand on various topics will be passed on to their charges. Although teachers are supposed to be impartial, fair and strictly adhere to their syllabus, in reality, the personal touch is what sets teachers apart, both good and bad. There must be an ethnically diverse group of educators to ensure a rich input of knowledge. Students need this and will be more comfortable learning in such an environment.
3. The quality of teachers in national schools.
When placed against the teachers from international schools, the general perception is that the teachers from national schools fall short. Why is this so? Well, there are many aspects in which the national schoolteachers fall short. The job is not rewarding enough to attract the best brains in the country. The salary scheme and the scope of the job make it unattractive and the cream of the crop never want to become teachers. In fact, no parent today wants his or her child to become a teacher. This is the state of the perception of the public of teaching as a profession!
4. The examinations and evaluation conducted.
The mode of evaluation and examination of national schools should be laid next to that of international schools and compared. What is it about international schools that make it attractive? Why are parents moving their kids out of national schools? What do parents want? Parents want their children to be educated. Children should not be bored in school. Every child should be taught to achieve the highest of his/her potential. This is very important. This is what parents want. Sometimes in the process of seeing that no child gets left behind and every child is able to master basic education, it is the students with high potential who end up paying the price. Nobody wants to acknowledge this, because it sounds so selfish. Students with high potential are bored. Not enough learning and challenging tasks are given. Ask any 13 or 14 year old and you will see that I am right. These children are not happy. In an international school, students are constantly challenged to reach greater heights. They are encouraged to speak their mind and gain confidence. They are prepared from a young age to be fearless and confident in this borderless world. They know how and where to look for knowledge and present it confidently. Are the national schools doing this? If the national schools can address this issue, urban parents will never move their children to international schools. It all comes down to whether the learning potential of the student has been met.
Having English-medium schools might help but in reality what parents want is simply the need for their children to be highly educated, treated fairly and be happy. If we want the flow of students into national schools to improve, the above have to be addressed. The result would be highly integrated, high performing schools.
This article was written by Madam Kalai Lingam. Madam Kalai has 27 years of teaching experience in government secondary school. She opted for early retirement in 2013 to pursue her love of writing, and is currently writing a book. Madam Kalai is well versed in the Malaysian Education system, having been a senior English teacher and school administrator for many years.
