Race-based academic data rapped at forum

The release of an annual data on the ethnic groups' academic performance indicated that Malays are lagging behind others and perpetuated stereotypes, argued speakers at a Workers' Party forum on Sunday. The issue on whether the release of educational performance data by race would lead to racial stereotyping was also raised in Parliament last November by [SMU Assistant Professor of Law and] NMP Eugene Tan. Then, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Hawazi Daipi said that self-help groups and community leaders welcome the data as it helps them assess their programmes and come up with new activities.