I’m confused. How can a school be vernacular if every subject except the vernacular language is taught in non-vernacular language?

Did I understand Mukhriz correctly? Well, his boss said that it was misinterpreted.

Hishammuddin Hussein explained that Mukhriz was misinterpreted when he stated in Parliament on Monday that vernacular and mainstream schools should be integrated into one system.

He pointed out that Mukhriz’s comment on the ‘schools under one system’ was made polemic by certain irresponsible quarters claiming that Mukhriz had incited racial sentiments.

The minister explained that the education system has two streams, one made up of mainstream schools and another which comprises Chinese, Tamil, mission and religious schools.

He said the profile of students in vernacular schools goes beyond a single race and religion, as children of other faiths also attend such schools.

“The motive of the statement was to encourage solidarity but we link it to racial incitement … when there are two streams of schools that cross all religions, it is not possible to misinterpret (what Muhkriz, right, said) in such a manner,”  Hishammuddin told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

“I am of the opinion that the one system suggestion is something that has been discussed since Independence and it is an idealistic notion … but looking at our historical context we have maintained the two factions.”

On Monday, Mukhriz created a commotion when he suggested in the Dewan Rakyat that vernacular schools should be united under an integrated system to eliminate polarisation and to promote unity among Malaysians.

Hishammuddin stressed the fact that there are 5,831 mainstream schools compared to 889 Chinese schools, 374 Tamil schools, 410 mission schools and 154 religious schools, showed that the government is keen on building a united nation.

He said that to place all the schools under one system would require looking at the status of land, teaching positions and financial allocations that are unique to the different categories of schools.

“If there is a consensus to resolve all these issues which are somewhat unique to government-aided schools, then it is a good thing to have one system.

“But to make it polemic and to link it to a race issue – that has no basis at all as the four types of schools mentioned comprise Malays, Chinese, Indians, Christians and many others.

“What we are trying to do now is to link the two streams in order to instil patriotism and tolerance among our students. We want to encourage the growth of human capital that we can be proud of and a Malaysian community that is successful.

“I am highlighting this today so that this matter is not prolonged and overblown by irresponsible quarters.”

So, what is Hishamuddin saying exactly? Beating around the bush? He didn’t exactly oppose or deny Mukhriz’s statement. In fact, it sounds like he supports it. So as Mukhriz said, still call them vernacular schools, but all the subjects taught in Malay or English, except Tamil or Mandarin. Isn’t that similar to the current situation? Majority of subjects taught in Malay or English. The syllabus are standardised. Only day to day running of the vernacular schools use the vernacular language, plus the teachers and students at vernacular schools are of the respective race.