Johor Crown Prince proposes scrapping vernacular schools to promote unity

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has questioned whether Malaysia's vernacular schools promote unity. PHOTO: ST FILE

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim has questioned whether Malaysia's vernacular schools promote unity and expressed his vision for multiracial "Bangsa Johor" schools, or Johor nationality schools, in the future.

"I hope in the near future... the Johor government would provide its own education module for Johoreans," said Tunku Ismail in a recorded dialogue session that was posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page on Sunday (Sept 4).

"In future, there will be no Indian, Chinese or Malay schools in Johor. There will only be Bangsa Johor schools.

"From a young age, we'll teach them how to be united, how to respect each other's religion and how to respect other races," he said.

Tunku Ismail added that it is important to educate young Johoreans to know the state's history and strengths.

He then questioned whether vernacular schools promoted unity among Malaysians.

"Where is 1Malaysia? You have Indian schools, you have Chinese schools, you have Malay schools. From young, you tell them not to be united. Then when they grow up, you tell them to be united?" he said.

Tunku Ismail also spoke at the session about having an education module to teach children to be against corruption, and to have an education system that encourages maturity and thinking outside the box.

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