Remove The Remove Class Discrimination

Remove classes should be abolished. That was the sentiment expressed yesterday by MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan, who said the effectiveness and relevance of remove classes should re-examined.

Saravanan, who is also deputy Federal Territories minister, said that national integration was much stronger than what it was in the 60s when these classes first began. “In those days, many students in national type schools, such as the Indian students, were handicapped when it came to the national language.

“That was why, for the weaker students, the remove class was implemented with the aim of helping them master Bahasa Malaysia.” Today, however, speaking, reading and writing Bahasa Malaysia has become very much a part of life for all races, including Indians.

“Students of vernacular schools are being taught Bahasa Malaysia and English and core subjects such as Science and Mathematics are being taught in English.” Saravanan also said the academic performance of students in Chinese and Tamil primary schools had improved and so “they would not be handicapped anymore.” He stressed that they would be able to assimilate easily into Form One with the other national school students instead of having to spend one year in remove classes.

He felt sending these students straight into Form One would increase their self esteem.

Saravanan said a letter had been sent to Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein on the issue yesterday.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Anuar Ibrahim said they are agreeable with Saravanan’s proposal to scrap remove classes, as long as the students are ready.

“This is a sensitive issue, but if the representatives of the various communities have addressed certain issues, then the government should consider the suggestions,” Anuar said.

He agreed that , by splitting the students into Form One and remove classes, those affected may feel inferior at being placed one year behind students their age.

Anuar said remove classes were not for weak students but for students of national-type schools to master the national language and socialise with students of other races.

He also acknowledged there seemed to be a slight contradiction in its function as now Science and Mathematics are being taught in English whereas the emphasis in remove classes seemed to be Bahasa Malaysia.

Although it is a system which may have been effective in the past, Anuar felt the government should examine it to determine if any changes were needed or any improvements can be made. (Malay Mail)

***** The deputy Federal Territories minister is quite right in his opinion. There is no convincing argument for continuing the remove class format. In fact many consider these classes as a form of punishment for those who have attended vernacular schools. Abolishing it is a good step forward. But will the Education Minister agree to do it? Or will he play ketuanan politics in this issue as well?