Mandarin & Tamil Among Vernacular Languages To Be Taught As Electives In National Schools
The move was announced by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
By Sadho Ram — 22 Apr 2025, 02:01 PM
Students in national schools may soon have the option to learn languages like Tamil, Mandarin, and even ASEAN languages such as Thai, Khmer, and Vietnamese as elective subjects
The move, announced by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek during an ASEAN education summit in Penang yesterday, 21 April, is part of an effort to foster greater regional collaboration and cultural understanding.
"ASEAN strength lies in its cultural, linguistic, and traditional diversity. To harness this, we must prepare our youth to be multilingual, adaptable, and culturally competent," she said, as quoted by Bernama.
The idea of integrating vernacular languages into national schools has long been floated, with calls to promote unity through multilingualism.
The rising number of Malay parents enrolling their children in Chinese schools reflects shifting public attitudes. For instance, at SJK(C) Chi Sin in Negeri Sembilan, all 20 Year One students this year are Malay.
This isn't the first time the topic has gained national attention
Back in July 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged to review rigid requirements for Tamil language classes in secondary schools — such as the current minimum of 15 students per class.
"Even if there are nine or eleven students, we should allow it," Bernama quoted Anwar as saying.
The Prime Minister had stressed that mastering multiple languages, including Bahasa Melayu, English, Tamil, and Mandarin, should be seen as a national strength, not a threat.
"Can you imagine a new Malaysia where students are fluent in the national language, strong in English, and a significant number are proficient in Tamil, Chinese, or Arabic languages?"
File photo of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaking at an event at Universiti Malaya.
Image via Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail