TR EMERITUS

The recent racial slur made by a Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member during the General Election 2025 campaign is deeply regrettable. In a multiracial society like ours, such language is unacceptable under any circumstance. It is right that the individual concerned issued a prompt and unreserved apology, which should be accepted in the spirit of accountability and reconciliation.

However, while the immediate issue has been addressed, the incident also points to deeper structural challenges in our society - challenges that cannot be ignored if we are serious about fostering true racial harmony. One such area deserving urgent attention is the system of Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools. Originally conceived with good intentions, SAP schools have over time evolved into institutions where Chinese culture and Mandarin language are heavily emphasised, often at the cost of inclusivity. The result has been a widening gap between Chinese and non-Chinese students, leading to fewer opportunities for young Singaporeans to interact meaningfully across racial lines from an early age.

If we are to build a Singapore that is truly united, we must recognise that harmony is not a given - it must be consciously forged through shared experiences and mutual understanding. The existence of education pathways that effectively segregate students along racial and linguistic lines is no longer tenable. The SAP system, with its unintended "Chinese wall," hinders the organic growth of interracial friendships and understanding.

It is timely, and necessary, to call for a reform of SAP schools. Our education system must evolve to reflect the Singapore we aspire to be: open, cohesive, and inclusive. Real change will require courage, political will, and the willingness to reimagine structures that may have served their purpose in the past but now risk holding us back.

We owe it to future generations to build bridges, not walls - starting from our classrooms.

CWC-AI