Chinese school boards raise alarm over Education Ministry’s policy shifts

KUCHING (March 2): The Sarawak United Association of Chinese Primary School Boards of Management has expressed concern over the recent spate of policy adjustments by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, including allowing six-year-old children to enrol in Year One and the planned Year Four assessment examination this October.

Its president, Datuk Jonathan Chai, described the process as repetitive, hasty and lacking adequate consultation, leaving the Chinese primary school community deeply worried.

He pointed out that the Education Minister had previously assured in November 2024 that no adjustments would be made to the assessment system following the abolition of the Primary Six evaluation.

However, under pressure from various parties, the Minister later announced at the end of last year that the National Education Advisory Council would conduct a study and submit recommendations to the Cabinet.

Unexpectedly, just a week later, it was announced that the Year Four assessment would take place this October.

“The entire process, including the Minister’s statements, gives the impression that education policy is not fully under control and may be influenced by others,” he said during the Chinese New Year luncheon with media outlets under See Hua Group at KTS Garden restaurant here on Monday.

Chai stressed that implementing such major changes in such a short time, with only a few months until October, leaves teachers uncertain about how to prepare, assess, and conduct testing, with no clear guidance on addressing potential learning gaps.

“No decision by the Education Ministry should be made this hastily,” he said.

Chai also raised concerns over repeated changes to the six-year-old entry policy, which initially required children to undergo assessments for Year One admission, only for the requirement to be removed later, allowing schools to admit children at parents’ discretion.

“If children enter without assessment, their development may not meet the required stage.

“The burden falls unfairly on teachers,” he said.

Chai also pointed out that children moving up to Year One a year early, especially indigenous students from rural areas, may lack the basic Chinese language foundation, posing additional teaching challenges.

On another note, he pointed out that teacher shortages remain a pressing concern.

Last year, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh increased the number of Bachelor of Education Programme (PISMP) course slots for Chinese primary schools to 1,678, with 6,328 applicants.

However, only 1,268 were admitted, and 1,120 registered — 558 fewer than allocated.

“Even with larger quotas, filling them remains a challenge, highlighting the difficulty of attracting Chinese youths into teaching,” Chai said.

He noted that the situation is particularly concerning as more teachers and principals opt for early retirement.

Chai acknowledged that while the Ministry keeps introducing seemingly reformative initiatives, their results do not always meet expectations.

He lamented that successive generations of children seem to become subjects of policy experiments and urged the Ministry to plan thoroughly before implementing any policy.

He also called on Sarawak to reclaim educational autonomy to ensure policies better reflect local needs.

Also present were The Sarawak United Association of Chinese School Boards of Management (Sarawak Dong Zong) advisors, Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau and Datuk Pau Chiong Ung, its chairman Dato Sri Richard Wee, chief executive officer Hong Woan Ying, the Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo general manager Phyllis Wong and See Hua Daily News general manager Chia Chiew Boon.