Association holds meeting to discuss pressing issues affecting Chinese primary schools in S’wak central region

SIBU (Nov 2): An emergency meeting was held by the Association of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Board of Management for Sibu, Kapit and Mukah here today.

Its chairman Thomas Tang said the meeting was to discuss the number of issues faced by the Chinese primary schools in the central region here.

He said the Chinese primary schools in Sibu Division had yet to receive any funding from the federal Education Ministry, meant for the schools’ upgrading project.

“As of now, we have yet to officially receive this funding. We urgently appeal to the Ministry of Education Malaysia to address this issue.

“We do not want a repeat of what had happened in 2020 when 44 Chinese primary schools under the board did not receive any funding at all.

“I was informed three weeks ago that Chinese primary schools in other divisions have received their funding, but they only received it after this issue was constantly raised. Why must this happen?” he questioned.

Tang later touched on the other issue involving the appointment of the national-type Chinese schools (SJKC)’s heads whom he deemed must possess at least Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification.

“Recently, we have received complaints from schools and the board of management regarding this issue,” he said, citing cases where some headmasters were placed in schools without consulting the school’s board of management.

“Before a headmaster’s placement, the board should be informed first of the appointment lists for consideration and approval, not as it is now where they are placed directly.

“This seems to disrespect the role of the school’s board of management,” he said.

“If they (the school heads) only hold qualifications from a Chinese primary school, this is insufficient. We fear that one day, it will undermine the Chinese schools’ standards and identity,” he said.

Additionally, he also called for the Education Ministry’s immediate action to fill the vacant school heads positions at SJKC Yong Cheng in Bintangor; SJKC Do Nang in Sungai Maaw, Sibu; and SJKC San San in Dalat.

The ministry, he added, should also allow flexibility for schools to be relocated to new locations such as the cases for two Chinese primary schools in Dalat and Bawang Assan.

“SJKC San San in Dalat has requested to be relocated to Sibu Jaya, and SJKC Boi Ing in Bawang Assan has requested to move to Lubok Antu, but their applications have not been approved.

“We want KPM to ease the approval process for the relocation process of these schools as student shortage can lead to closure and cancellation of education licences,” he said.