Malaysian Education System – a joke part 2.

University Malaya or UM, in its humble beginings, started out as a medical school in Singapore in 1905. In 1961, the KL branch was established while the latter was renamed the National University of Singapore, NUS, a year later. During its early days of development, UM was very much a top ranked University globally, being headed by a few high profile academicians like James H.E. Griffiths one of the discoverers of ferromagnetic resonance, is definitely not small potatoes.

Unfortunately, ever since the split, UM has undergone lousy leadership the New Economic policy, NEP…and etc. Then, I believe in the 80s, the medium of teaching was switched from English to Bahasa Malaysia, BM. That marked the downfall of the institution and the entire education system as well. All these were the result of the works of some selfish “pencinta bahasa” who won’t stop harping about national unity and the virtues of Bahasa Kebangsaan. Fast forward 20 years today, the nation is more segregated than before, the new generation cannot understand basic english.

What  has the so called “bahasa Kebangsaan”, claimed to bring unity, done to us? Just look at NUS today. It is regarded as one of the top notched institute in the world! Boasting its world class research facilities in stem cell technology, bioengineering and quantum physics. As for Malaysia, 40 years later we are just begining to bicker about the mistake made 40 years ago!!

Don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to glorify the english language. My patriotism is still very intact! Patriotism is something one carries in the heart and the mind. One can speak flawless BM and still hates the country. It doesn’t matter whether or not we can speak BM well, because in the global eyes, we will still be identified as Malaysians. The only difference is whether or not the world view us as a nation filled with idiots that don’t speak a word of english or a progressive nation that embraces change/a nation whose people are well educated and are multi-lingual.

It is very unfortunate that the nation today is plagued by a host of political mockeries. Politicians, instead of working for the people, are working for their own vested interests. Well, at the least some minister did realize the need to switch the medium of teaching back to english. It’s a good thing. It’s long overdue. However, I do not think the nation is ready. Making english a mandatory to pass subject in the SPM is not going to help.

More work needs to be done to reverse the damage first before we test the waters. We need to start by recruiting good and qualified english teachers, reintroduce english medium schools and start teaching GRAMMAR again for the love of God!! You can’t take grammar away from english. It’s like leaving your home naked!

On another note, NUS ranks 30th in the THE-QS (Times Higher Education) top university rankings in 2008, just 13 spots under Stanford. Universiti Malaya, UM, was dropped from the top 200 spots!! What a shame!!