Despite the academic pressure, the social fabric of Malaysian schools is rich and diverse. Because the curriculum is standardized, students share a common set of experiences that transcend their backgrounds. Co-curricular activities, particularly sports and uniformed bodies (such as Scouts, St. John Ambulance, or the Police Cadets), are mandatory. These activities are where the rigid hierarchy of the classroom often dissolves. The afternoon heat of the padang (field) is where lifelong friendships are forged, often bridging the racial and economic divides that exist in the wider society.
Use Mandarin or Tamil, respectively.