[1855] Of celebrating a blackeye to racial chauvinism

I am guilty. I am guilty of grinning when I found out that the Malaysian education system is maintaining English as the medium of instruction for science and mathematics in the primary and secondary levels.^[1]

I am guilty because despite preferring for the courses to be taught in the language best comprehended by the students, I actually find myself in a celebratory mood upon learning the decision of the ministry.

I am guilty because despite preferring for English to be properly taught as a course of it own, I am satisfied with the outcome of the roundtable meeting.

I am guilty because despite comprehending why forcing students to learn science and mathematics in a language which many students find themselves struggling in may hurt their interest and comprehension in those subjects, I give today’s decision two thumbs up.

I am guilty because despite preferring the schools themselves to decide their medium of instruction, I am relieved that the medium remains English.

I am guilty because despite being a fan of charter schools, I am glad the state stands firm in its action.

I am guilty because despite the fact that I fought for autonomy for the Malay College and supportive of its wider implication in the name of fairness, English is the language.

I am guilty because despite calling myself a libertarian, I appreciate the state’s action.

Why am I so guilty of contraction and yet, unremorseful?

It is because it is not everyday one could shove so many chauvinists around. To all sides, at the same time, to boot. This chance only happens once in a blue moon.

It is true not all who oppose having English as a medium of instruction are chauvinists. Many like friend Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad opposes it because he first hand witnesses how the policy hurts academic performance and interest in classes of Malaysian children born to not-so-well-off parents. These people are honest people and I sympathize with their position. Furthermore, honestly, frankly, I prefer the reversion of the status quo to the previous state because the previous state comes closer to my ideal.

Yet, I also note that many of those opposing the policies are chauvinists with overtly racial worldview, if not downright racist. It is against this people that I gloat against, not to the sincere supporters of reversion.

To the others, I deeply apologize.

^[1] — PUTRAJAYA, Dec 16 — Maintaining the current practice of teaching science and maths in English is the most popular choice among education stakeholders.

This was the general sentiment at a roundtable meeting held today to debate seven options on the medium of instruction for the two subjects.

The stakeholders present, which included parents, politicians and teachers, and their consensus for the English policy to be maintained, will be the strongest reason for the government to maintain the status quo. [English it is. Shannon Teoh. Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani. The Malaysian Insider. December 16 2008]