Education and nation-building in a multi-ethnic society: the case of Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

Since education is such a broad issue, it might be useful to begin by making some general remarks so as to provide the necessary, perspectives. In his now classic study of the rise of Asian and African nationalism, R. Emerson (1960, p.95) was of the view that: "The nation is a community of people who feel that they belong together in the double sense that they share deeply significant elements of a common heritage and that they have a common destiny for the future". It is obvious that multi-ethnic societies almost never have a common heritage, whether it is seen in terms of language, culture, historical origins or religion. This is the case with Singapore and Malaysia, though of course, the absence of common or shared bonds does not necessarily prevent people from believing in their common destiny. Indeed, it might be said that full use should be made of this, if it does exist, to encourage the growth of institutions which might form the foundation for a firmer and more lasting national unity.