Principal Shouldn't Utter Racist Remarks

What a sad day for Malaysia education system when a secondary school's principal uttered such racist remarks to non-bumi students during the launch of Merdeka celebration at school level. I was shocked when I learn this news from The Star. Being a school head, she should promote unity and harmony among the students regardless of their race, religion and social background. Racism should not exists in school. We are all the same as MALAYSIAN, unite and live harmoniously in our beloved Tanahair. We may have differences but we respect each other religion, culture and custom in our society. Teacher roles not only in teaching but also to nurture good values such as peace, love, respect, and unity in student life.

I have been teaching at my present school for 8 years and most of the students I taught are mainly from bumiputera, almost 98%. They are not academic-inclined and some of them are problematic. This is the main reason why their parents send them to my school to learn vocational skills. I am a chinese teacher teaching them science subject. As you know, majority of these students dislike science subject. I have to be very strict with them in their studies so that they are able to score good grade. Consequently, I was being complained by the students due to strict teaching. The whole class went to the PK HEM office demanding to change science teacher. In a particular year of teaching, there was a case where I was being labelled as anti-malay by a student's parent. I was sad but this event did not hinder me to continue teaching my students with love. I explained to them why I have to strict with them. When they came back to school to take their SPM result, they thanked me for being strict to them, "Cikgu tegas dengan kami, barulah kami boleh score".

I never blame them but I choose to forgive them. Students particularly in their teen age still haven't reach rationale and mature thinking yet. They are immature and that's why teacher plays a vital role to nurture and cultivate good values in their thinking. If I practicing racism in classroom, how my bumiputera students were able to score science subject, furthermore majority of them did not attend outside tuition class. I believe all religion forbid us to be racist. Only unethical politicians play racial card for their own agenda and survival. Religion teaches us to love one another. Let's we say no to racism whether you are teacher or student.
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Monday August 16, 2010, The Star

School head under probe over racist remarks

KULAIJAYA: Police are investigating a school principal who allegedly used racist remarks against non-Malay students during a Merdeka celebration at the school here recently.Kulaijaya deputy OCPD Asst Supt Mohd Kamil said police had received 12 reports against the principal since Saturday and that the case was being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code.Over 50 parents and students had lodged the reports against the principal, who allegedly described the non-Malays as “penumpang” (passengers) in the country during her speech at the start of the celebration on Aug 12.

“This is not the first time that she had made racist comments against Chinese and Indian students in our school,” said 17-year-old student Brevia Pan.She added that the principal, who joined the school early this year, would only target Chinese and Indian students.“During the Merdeka celebration, she had told non-Malay students to go study in a Chinese school or go back to China,” she told reporters in a press conference organised by Senai assemblyman Ong Kow Meng.Another student, Ashvini Thi-na­karan, 17, said many Malay students were influenced by the principal’s remarks and made similar comments and called them names.

“Before she came to my school, all the students got along well,” she said. Her father R. Thinakaran, 47, said this was a serious matter and that principals should not behave like this.“This principal has caused racial disharmony at the school,” he said, adding that if no action was taken, he would take his daughter out of the school.