Adenan announces RM3 million grant for state’s Chinese schools, hints bigger grant next year
Lau (second right) thanking Adenan (second left) after receiving the state government’s contribution of RM3 million. Also seen are Minister of Local Government and Community Devolepment Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (left) and Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The state government yesterday gave RM3 million to Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board to help fund the operation of 14 Chinese independent schools in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said although education was under the jurisdiction of the federal government, the state would still help fund Chinese independent schools and might give more money next year.
“The government will assist you, but not fully. I cannot come out with RM10 million every year for you. The responsibility for education is on the federal (government), not state, but because of your case, we must intervene and help.
“So, we will start with RM3 million first. There may be more grant next year, maybe RM4 million or RM5 million, but we start with RM 3 million first,” he said at a meeting with Chinese school associations at Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 here, yesterday.
On Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), Adenan said he had no authority to ‘formalise’ the certificate.
“If it is under my power (authority), I will say okay. I shall discuss this matter with Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. This is all I can do. I cannot promise anymore than that.”
Adenan also described the calls by certain quarters in Peninsular Malaysia to close down Chinese schools as ridiculous, stating that Chinese schools played similar roles as other schools in educating the younger generation.
“As long as the school teaches Bahasa Malaysia and English, that’s good enough.”
Earlier in his speech, Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board chairman Temenggong Vincent Lau said the 60 Chinese Independent Secondary Schools in the country were funded by contributions from the community.
“It is able to exist and flourish over the years because of the support from the Chinese community. We depend on the public to fund the running of the schools, and each year, we have a shortfall of about RM10 million.
“We hope the government will look into our plight and support us to ensure we continue to provide education for our younger generation.”
Lau said what was more important is that Chinese independent schools had educated many Malaysians who had contributed towards the progress, development and prosperity of the nation.
“Regrettably, there are people who view the existence of Chinese education in this country negatively. This is very sad. I think those who are open minded and look at things from a proper perspective will realise that the existence of Chinese schools is an asset to the country.
“In fact, these schools do not only cater for the Chinese population. We have other races such as Malay, Iban and Indian studying in both Chinese primary and secondary schools and the number is growing.”
Therefore, Lau said the board felt that it was sensible for the government to support the Chinese education in the country rather than to suppress its development.
“At present, because the Education Ministry does not recognise UEC, students from these schools left the country to go overseas to further their studies, causing our country to lose many talents. We feel that if Malaysia wishes to keep the people, particularly those who are talented, we need to re-examine our education system and policies.”
Among those present were Datin Patinggi Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, Second Finance Minister and minister-in-charged of Chinese education in the state Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Dr Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party acting president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Kuching Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, 3 and 4 management committee chairman Richard Wee.