Critics argue the system is divisive. National (Malay) schools feel the pressure of declining enrollment as middle-class parents, regardless of ethnicity, flock to Chinese schools for academic rigor. In the schoolyard, an ethnic Chinese student from an SJKC might struggle to converse fluently with a Malay student from a national school, reflecting a "silent segregation" that persists into adulthood.

Respect for teachers ( Cikgu ) is non-negotiable. Students stand when a teacher enters the room, greet them with a polite "Selamat pagi, cikgu," and often bow their heads slightly when walking past. Uniforms are pristine: white shirts and blue shorts/skirts for primary, and white shirts with green or blue trousers for secondary. The uniform is a great equalizer, erasing economic disparities during school hours.