Racial unity begins in school

I refer to the letter by Ahmad Sirajudin,(NST,Feb.21) entitled “Depolarise schools”.

I fully agree with the writer that all we have to do to depolarize the schools by placing Ali, Ah Chong and Samy into the same class from the time they begin their education in standard one.

Racial unity which was simple those days have taken a rather complicated path and have become an arduous task these days. This mainly is the result of racial polarization that starts at a very young age, even at the kindergarten stage.

Religious and moral educations are undeniably important but we must not use them as an excuse for segregation of the children by ethnicity and faith. That would undermine the very purpose or religion itself.

The present generations of Malaysians, in their thirties, who are taking over the reigns of administration are the product of the present segregated education system. The teachers and students who belong to this system fail to appreciate our concerns of a united Malaysia as they have not seen the more united nation of the yesteryears.

It may be a formidable task to achieve the desired level of racial integration, under the prevailing conditions, but we can still succeed we really put our hearts to it.