‘We shouldn’t bark up the wrong tree’ This is a clear message to the deputy minister in Prime Minister Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim who oppose the approval of building new Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina schools . He was cited as saying “ As long as approval is given, relationship between different races shall be further deteriorate , and shall be like throwing a spanner into the works of nurturing national harmony.

This is clearly a statement without researching the functions of SJKCs in fostering mutual understanding between races. For the records, , SRJKs have more number of non-Chinese studying in them compared to the those Sekolah Berasrama Penuhs, religious schools or sekolah pondoks around of having non-Malay students. So , which type of schools put more importance on national unity ?

There are now around 80,000 Malay students in the so called ‘unity-harming’ SJKC schools. May I humbly ask Datuk Razali, have those Malay students parents’ opinions be sought on the reason of sending their children to schools where Chinese language is a medium for teaching.

Those far-thinking Malay parents are sending their children to Chinese-medium school ,not to ‘de-malaynise’ their children but to further ‘Malaysianize’ their children. In Malaysia , it is an open fact most Malays know two language , English and Bahasa Malaysia ; yet most the Chinese and Indian know at least 3 languages. Thus, knowing one more language certainly give the children a cutting edge, be it intellectually or during their working life.

Besides, maybe there are a growing pessimistic perception on the way national school are handled. Teaching Science in English, teaching science in Bahasa Malaysia, changing formats of national level examinations are few examples of moans by some of current teachers and students. Not to mention when there are perception certain race get certain favors in national schools (boarding school system, scholarships etc) , some non-Bumiputeras seek comfort in SJKC schools while some Bumiputeras challenge themselves by enrolling in a SJKC school , to be on a more level platform with other children .

Imagine you have a sibling who is favored and spoon-fed by your parents, no matter how hard you try. Well, I rather be the one not favored, so I can improve and be a success by being independent . Everyone knows a favored sibling will end up being spoilt and would take things for granted. Maybe, just maybe , some of the Malay parents do not want that and want their children to start their education system on a same level platform with other races, thus gaining respect , independency and success at the end.

Also, maybe due to the fact China is emerging as a world political and economic power , and as a consequences , Mandarin a lingua franca. This reason persuaded some pragmatic Malay and Indian parents to let their children to learn the 2nd most spoken language in the world after English.

Just how does a Mandarin-medium school affect national unity? The children there still sing Negaraku. Bahasa Malaysia are still being taught there. There are no difference in syllabus . In fact, all children in the school are being taught to love and respect the country. So Datuk Razali,may I humbly ask, just what is the problem here which affect national unity?

These SJKC schools have been around for decades, why now only the topic being brought up? Well, if any ,SJKC schools are not the culprit, the Malaysia educational system is more of a culprit.

Racial tensions brew due to unfairness . In national schools, children are being taught some race are favored over the others. The ones not favored are not happy. And the ones favored will take things for granted and will not be happy if the not-favored ones are offered some benefits . The case of STPM top scorer Ng Li Ying , being offered nursing course despite applying for medical course, is a prime example.

If, just a big if, there are cases where by SJKC created racial tensions , like some national schools heads calling Chinese and Indians immigrants in the past , the better option is for the Ministry of Education to form a special taskforce , and conduct periodic audits on the syllabus on SJKC schools and to see any wrongdoings by them in the national unity aspect.

That should be the way rather than denying the rakyat an option of where to educate their children. There is nothing wrong with the way SJKC are conducting themselves in promoting national unity. Thus, we should not bark at the wrong tree here.