CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN OUR EDUCATION SYSYEM

The issue of educational systems in Malaysia is vernavular system, which are segregated
along racial and linguistic lines, has been a long-standing and intricate problem. This
situation has its historical roots during colonial era when British policies segregated
different ethnic groups in various aspects of life, including housing, employment, and the
educational system.In Malaysia, the education system is notably divided into three
primary types of schools:Sekolah Kebangsaan: These are national schools that primarily
use the Malay language as the medium of instruction and are open to students from all
ethnic backgrounds.Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina): These are Chinese national-type
schools where Mandarin is often the medium of instruction, primarily serving the Chinese
Malaysian community.Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil): These are Tamil national-type
schools where Tamil is the medium of instruction, primarily catering to the Indian
Malaysian community.In addition to these, there are also Chinese Independent Schools
(CIS) and Arabic schools, each following distinct curricula and having their own objectives
and philosophies. For instance, Chinese Independent Schools closely align with the
Chinese education system. This diversity in educational systems has raised concerns
about student unity, as they are often educated separately, sometimes in different
languages, and with different cultural and historical perspectives.Efforts to address this
issue and promote national unity have included proposals to establish a single, unified
school system, such as the "Sekolah Wawasan" or "Vision School" concept. This concept
aimed to bring students from different ethnic backgrounds together in a single
educational environment to foster better understanding and unity among Malaysians.
However, implementing such a system can be challenging, as it requires overcoming
political, cultural, and historical obstacles.

In the end, the debate surrounding Malaysia's education system is closely linked to
questions of national identity, ethnicity, and unity. Finding a balanced solution that
respects the country's cultural diversity while promoting unity and social cohesion is a
complex task that requires the involvement and cooperation of various stakeholders,
including the government, educators, and the broader Malaysian society.A significant
concern is the notably low employment rate among graduates, affecting approximately
90,000 students who face challenges in securing jobs. Data also highlights that the fields
most affected by unemployment are social sciences, business and law, and
manufacturing and construction. This issue stems from a misalignment between the
courses offered by universities and the demands of the local job market. Consequently,
this mismatch can contribute to a brain drain as talented individuals seek opportunities
abroad. According to the Minister of Human Resources, Malaysia is estimated to have a
5.3% brain drain rate in the year 2023.

Furthermore, education has increasingly been used as a political tool to gain popularity.
Politicians frequently interfere in educational plans, as seen in the case of the
introduction of "learning hadith 40." During this process, many politicians offered
suggestions outside their areas of expertise. This is significant because it serves as a
means for politicians to bolster their influence within the community.
Recently, there have been petitions presented by DAP Bagan, urging the minister to lift
restrictions on funding for the vernacular system. This is an example of a baseless claim
by politicians aimed solely at gaining popularity.

Education has also become a business tool. The recent introduction of special channels
for T20 individuals has disrupted the educational landscape in Malaysia. For instance,
there are special accommodations for students from wealthy families to enroll in schools,
such as MRSM and SBP in Malaysia. This approach has led to schools showing a
preference for students from T20 families, rather than selecting based on merit and
educational achievements. This contradicts the original purpose of establishing SBP and
MRSM, which was to provide the best education system for Bumiputera, economically
disadvantaged, and less privileged individuals. An example of this trend is the reported
increase in enrollment fees for students in STAR Ipoh.