Many of the students dislike learning Chinese as much as their peers in non-SAP schools. The most obvious aspects of the school's Chineseness are the schools' names and mottos written in Chinese characters.

Apart from that, it is most obvious in that a group of foreign students from China regularly represent their SAP schools in Chinese-language debates and contests.

In a speech made earlier this month, Minister of State for Education Gan Kim Yong described a few schemes to enhance the Chinese language-learning environment and increase opportunities for SAP school students to immerse in Chinese culture.

These include using Mandarin as the language of instruction for non-examination subjects such as Civics and Moral Education, Sports and Music, or electives like Media Overview.

As a student in an English secondary school in the 1970s, I was immersed in similar schemes, which have become SAP school specialities now.

Students, parents, teachers and principals are practical. How much emphasis will they put on non-examination subjects? How well will these encourage students to speak Mandarin and learn Chinese? It has been almost 30 years since the Government introduced the Special Assistance Plan in former Chinese-language schools. Many changes have been made to the school education system since.

What is important is that most of these schools have successfully transformed themselves and remained top schools in Singapore. We should stop making students and schools feel the pressure in carrying the historical and cultural baggage of Singapore's Chinese heritage.

If SAP schools have found a new, successful niche, we shouldn't begrudge them the achievement. Conversely, we shouldn't restrict the teaching of Chinese culture and language to SAP schools.

Loh Ka Wai