Of late, writers to ST Forum have bemoaned the use of the economic motive to cajole parents to - in their turn - cajole their children.

The free market can be used to reduce the angst we hear of so often. Simply give all students Edusave credits to be spent on optional after-school lessons in the aspect of Chinese of their parents' choice, to the level of competence their parents want, rather than impose compulsory lessons during school hours.

Specifically:

Parents who want their children to learn Chinese so they can tap the China market later can give their children lessons in Business Chinese;

Parents who want their children to learn Chinese so they may benefit from Chinese culture can give their children lessons in Heritage Chinese; and

Parents who want their children to perpetuate the paternalistic aspects of society can give their children lessons in Confucianist Chinese.

Let us apply the same idea to Malay and Indian Mother Tongue curriculums. Furthermore, students of all races should be offered lessons in any language their parents choose.

Heng Aik Jin