LETTER | I make my job candidates do a simple maths test when they come for an interview at our office. The test has a 95 percent fail rate. The test not only tests your mathematical skills but also your listening and thinking skills.

That's the problem with our education system. We have top scorers who can't think or use the information in front of them. This is beyond the lack of language skills these kids have. A lot of them can't write or speak well in English or in Malay or in a third language.

Then there's the inability of young people to ask questions. For decades the young have been told not to and reprimanded for asking questions by parents, teachers and employers. And then suddenly we expect them to ask great questions at press conferences?

Our education system needs to be overhauled. We need thinkers and people who can question everything while working towards solving issues. We do not need another generation of memorisers who cannot think beyond what's taught to them.

Which is why I believe, the vernacular and religious schools should go. These are the kids most affected by an education system that makes them unable to think or interact beyond their own community.

The Chinese say their schools are interracial but only 18 percent of their students are non-Chinese. Guess how many non-Indians go to Tamil schools? There doesn't seem to be any numbers for that. But many Indian kids go to Tamil schools. And they lack many things.

So why do some parents send their kids to Chinese schools but never to Tamil schools?

And as of January last year, more than 36,000 students were in 547 tahfiz schools registered. But there are many more unregistered tahfiz schools nationwide.

Parents feel their kids will learn better manners if they are left to stay and study in tahfiz schools but most of these schools don't offer an SPM curriculum, leaving the kids unable to pursue a tertiary education and opting to become religious teachers.

Kids need a proper education to mould them into thinking adults that are able to contribute to the economic growth of the country. How are they supposed to do that when you as parents have not given thought on their ability to be hired?

The country needs a massive education of this country.

How are kids supposed to get jobs or rise up in their chosen fields if they were not taught the right tools at the beginning itself?

A one-school system overhauled to push for thinkers and solvers is what we need moving forward. Let Islamic studies continue to be an option for these kids to master while Mandarin, Tamil are added as language options. It is important that kids learn to speak multiple languages.

I hope when you voted for Mazlee Malik it was not because of religion but rather for the future of your children.

I hope he is able to execute the much-needed education overhaul to equip your kids with the skills needed for their future.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.