SERIOUS BUSINESS: Kong (right) makes his point in the press conference while Lee looks on.
SIBU: The United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Boards of Management is lamenting that Chinese secondary schools here admit only about 10 per cent of Chinese primary school students as parents prefer to send their children to government-aided elite secondary schools.
In a press conference yesterday, its publicity chief Lee Kung Kieh said although about 90 per cent of Chinese children were sent to Chinese primary schools the same number could not be said of admission to Chinese secondary schools.
He said parents still preferred their children to master English language in the elite schools, thinking by doing so they would have better future.
“This has been a misconception for a long time because with the prominent role the Chinese are playing in global economics, students studying in Chinese secondary schools also have a promising prospect.”
He said the people must change their mindset in sync with the changing global scenario, and stressed that the association would promote Chinese education to let both parents and students realise the importance of Chinese education.
Lee disclosed that the total student population in the five Chinese secondary students in Sibu stood at only 1,600, with annual admission of only about 200.
Of the number, nearly 1,000 of them are studying in Catholic High School and a few hundred more in Wong Nai Siong School.
“Therefore, student population in the other three rural schools is low, and we are now promoting these schools, namely Citizen School in Salim, Kiang Hin School in Teku and Guong Ming School in Sungei Sadit.”
He hoped through this, parents would have a better understanding of the prospect provided by Chinese secondary schools.
On the other hand, association secretary Kong Chong Men is of the opinion that this may be because in the old days Chinese secondary school students could only go to Taiwan to further their studies.
“The scenario has already changed. Malaysian students from Chinese secondary schools are being grabbed by Singapore and many today are being admitted to renowned universities worldwide, with many studying in New Zealand and Australia.”
He said these students were faring well in their higher studies, and through the stronger diplomatic bond between Malaysia and China, there was opportunity for top students from our country to be admitted to renowned universities in China.
He said the high standard of local Chinese education was due to the commitment of the people who formed the association by running the Chinese secondary schools on their own.
“Because of this commitment, Malaysians have built the best Chinese education system outside China, and our public examination certificate is recognised by hundreds of universities worldwide.”
He said parents in Peninsular Malaysia were better informed of the scenario, which resulted in more of their children being sent to the Chinese secondary schools there “so much so that more than 5,000 students cannot be admitted annually due to the lack of classrooms”.
Meanwhile, Lee said yesterday they were hosting three concerts from Nov 10 to 13 in the three rural schools to boost their student intake.
Lee, who is also the organising chairman of the activity, said they were inviting two renowned artistes from Peninsular Malaysia – Zhuang Xue Zhong and Chong Ah Kow. The latter is a world renowned artiste in harmonica performances.
He said the five Chinese secondary schools would back-up the two artistes by putting up their own entertainment items.
The concert in Guong Ming School on Nov 10 will be held in the school hall while the one at Citizen School will be in Sibu Jaya Community Hall the next evening.
As for the one for Kiang Hin School, he said it will be held at its basketball court on Nov 12.
Saying admission would be free, Lee hoped that parents and their children would come and support the events.
Also present at the press conference were representatives of the five schools and event organiser Chai Tian Yew.