STRENGTHENING TIES: Ngu (left) and Lin (right) exchanging the signed documents, witnessed by Lau and Wu, among others.
SIBU: The sisterhood pact between Wong Nai Siong Secondary School here and Yutian Middle School (YMS) of Gutian district, Fujian Province, China, was signed yesterday at Wong Nai Siong Secondary School.
It was signed by the principals of the two schools. Timonthy Ngu for Wong Nai Siong School and Lin Youzhi for Yutian School.
Among those present to witness the ceremony were Wong Nai Siong Secondary School chairman Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming and the deputy district officer of Gutian District Wu Chun Fang.
In his speech, Lau said the relationship between the two schools was established about six years ago through a student exchange programme arranged by Sarawak Kutien Association.
He said two students from Yutian School were stationed in Wong Nai Siong School under the programme, and this arrangement had also benefitted the teachers.
Last September, Lau led members of his management board to visit the school and learned how the school received financial support from overseas Chinese before the Chinese government chipped in when the nation’s economy blossomed.
Lau said they also observed that schools in China were well managed and enjoyed modern infrastructure.
On the signing of the pact, Lau said he expected a closer relationship between the two schools to be forged through annual activities.
Lau told the visitors that Chinese independent secondary schools in Malaysia were funded by donations from the Chinese community.
“This fact has given rise to a situation where many such schools could not achieve perfection in their hardware and software facilities.
“However, Chinese education is developing well in our country. These schools have nurtured many talents over the years. The rise of China as a world economic power has buttressed the development of Chinese education in Malaysia.
“Our government’s recognition of university degrees from 146 Chinese universities in March this year augured well for Chinese education here.
“However, I hope the Minister of Education will unveil details regarding this recognition immediately to enable students intending to further their studies in China to have a clearer picture of the situation.
“We also urge the government to gazette these particulars.”
Earlier, Lin said his school was in the process of replacing its old sports field, canteen and hostel.
“We’ve just completed the construction of a new school block through government’s funding.”
Found in 1947, Yutian School presently has more than 2,000 students in Junior Middle and Senior Middle classes.
“In 2001, the school was elevated from an ordinary secondary school to an excellent school, giving it the privilege to enrol priority students.
“Among the 25 secondary schools in Gutien District, Yutian is listed as the second best school.”
Wu, who also spoke, hoped the signing of the sisterhood pact would foster stronger relationship between Sibu and Gutien district, especially in Chinese education.