Make Tamil and Mandarin compulsory
BAKTI chairman Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s advice that “children should take up other languages besides their mother tongue” (The Star, June 20) must be readily welcome by all concerned parents.
In a multi-racial country like ours, it is imperative that multi-lingualism should form the backbone of our education system so that racial harmony can be maintained.
To prepare the coming generations for a cohesive life in a linguistically and culturally heterogenous society like ours, it is essential that Tamil and Mandarin be made compulsory subjects in our national schools, just like English.
An extensive and comprehensive feedback on this matter must be done.
These important languages should no longer be left as elective subjects as there is a danger that parents may influence their children to make the choice based on racial sentiments.
T.S. RAMASAMY
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.