I lament the sorry fate that befalls LaSallian Education in Malaysia

I had to write something after the outburst in Parliament regarding Mission Schools and how it was controlled by the Vatican, that children were forced to sing "church songs". The one phrase to use to this uneducated and dishohourable Member of Parliament - "slander and ungrateful sloth"

I have followed rather closely this topic, and, nostalgically I reflect over how our education system has changed, deteriorated and have been politicised. I disclose I am a La Sallian, so was my father.

The Education Ministry in Malaysia, is wholely a political machinery, stocked with administrators who derive personal gains in the large financial allocation that has always been alloted to the Ministry.

The current climate, both political and socially will not allow any resurrection of a school system even vaguely resembling the old La Sallian heritage.

In addition, much has been talked about private instituitions. In essence, if this was the stance and the motivations were noble enough, private LaSallians instituitions would have been set up a long time ago.

In addition, I would assume existing mission schools can easily be converted to private instituitions, as land and property may still have belonged to the Mission.

My opinion is that the Christian Brothers have long deserted Malaysia. The Brothers serve the community, especially the poor and unfortunate, they are selfless and dedicated educators. They do not relish being soaked in politics, administrative overheads and operating in an environment that is unappreciative and hostile.

Malaysia's economic progress and wealth could largely be attributed to the Mission schools. These Schools have produced generations of Malaysians who are proficient in English, properly gounded in academics and universal values.However, this economic progress will be the bane of the La Sallian Mission, in which an order such as the La Sallian Order does not operate too well in such a materialistic and non-appreciative society.

The final nail in the coffin has long been nailed, La Sallians will have nothing much but memories of their shared heritage. Unless we move in a concerted fashion, both financially and to garner political support for any return of the Brothers (either privately or publicly), the La Sallian mission will die a natural death.