Masidi Manjun (PPBM-Karanaan) said the country is at a crossroads now and needs to take another look at its education system.
“Does the present system help to make our students mature quickly or does it warrant a change to help our young to be more independent?
“The issue now is not restricted to their qualification to vote but more of the implications after we grant those rights,” he said when debating the bill at the state assembly sitting today.
As such, the Sabah PPBM deputy chief issued a challenge to the state to lead the way in revamping the education system so it can be an example to other states.
“I think it is high time we revamped our education system. And if we cannot do it at the national-level framework, then maybe the Sabah Foundation (YS) should step in to become an innovator and leader for this change,” Masidi said.
He said YS, which is tasked with promoting educational and economic opportunities for Sabahans, should apply for licences to establish international schools in the state.
Based on media reports, he said, more Malaysians are sending their children to such schools.
“Why is this so? Is that a reflection of the quality of our local education system? Or is it a reflection of our ability to push up the economic status of Malaysians? I find it is both.
“The fees at international schools are not cheap. They can reach thousands per year but yet out of the 163 international schools in Malaysia, a total of 44,575 are local students compared with 25,220 foreigners,” Masidi said.
“For me, this is quite worrying — not because Malaysians can afford it but it is a reflection of our perceptions of the local education system. That’s why we must look at the system when we implement this new voting age.”
Yayasan Sabah can lead the way
Masidi suggested that YS also establish private English-medium secondary schools, saying the government-owned agency is the only one that is financially capable of doing so in Sabah.
His suggestion, he said, is not new as he had proposed that the federal government pick and convert one secondary school in every major town into fully-English medium schools some 20 years ago.
“I proposed it as an experiment. One reason why Bumiputera parents, and more so the Chinese, send their kids to Chinese schools is because they lack the confidence in quality education offered by government schools.
“This is because in Chinese-medium schools, besides Mandarin, quality English education is offered. Why do people rush to send their children to schools like La Salle and St Francis Convent (in Sabah)? It’s because of the better English education.
“But for this reason, I hope people do not misinterpret my suggestion. I am not against the policy of Bahasa Malaysia as the main medium of instruction but perhaps it is worth considering converting one secondary school in every major town to an English-medium school.”
Masidi said he knew such suggestions will not be welcomed by those who are pro-Bahasa Malaysia, the country’s national language.
“But this actually has nothing to do with whether we love our national language or not. This is more love for our nation — to ensure our people are respected in the international community.
“The speaker today (Syed Abbas Syed Ali) was part of the English education, as was myself. I think we are still Malaysians who love our country and Sabah.
“The fact that we can or we have mastered English does not make us any less Malaysian or Sabahan,” he said.
Masidi said providing quality education will instead see Chinese parents rushing to send their children to converted government schools.
“And this is where real integration comes in. I’m proud to come from a very integrated school — Sabah College. I’ve lived and eaten with the Chinese. Once upon a time, out of the 11 state Cabinet ministers, seven were from Sabah College.
“Why? Because of the quality of education. We were integrated as we were brought up to be a Sabahan and a Malaysian — not as a Kadazan or a Dusun, Malay, Bruneian or whatever. This is important,” he said.