Gov't: Vision Schools don't erode vernacular 'identity' but no plans for new ones

The government has defended Vision Schools which house vernacular schools together with regular national schools.

Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching (above) told the Senate on Monday that several issues emerged when the Vision Schools concept was implemented, including concerns that vernacular Chinese or Indian schools would lose their "identity" and that the function of the schools' boards of directors would be abolished.

"These things did not actually occur as to this day, the SJKC and SJKT (Chinese and Tamil schools) at existing Vision Schools still retain their own identities and the Pakatan Harapan government has no plans to abolish the function of the school boards," she said.

She said this when wrapping up the Education Ministry's segment of the Budget 2020 debate in the Dewan Negara.

However, while she defended Vision Schools, she said there are no plans to build new ones.

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In a Vision School, vernacular and regular national schools are placed in the same complex so students share facilities like the canteen or playing field with teaching and school administration remaining separate.

The purpose was to foster unity among students. However, a study has found that the benefits may be limited as most students only interacted with their own race despite the shared premises.

Meanwhile, in a statement today, Teo said the government was committed to developing all schools so that the spirit of multiculturalism and unity could prosper.