A group photograph of the participants of the trilingual speech contest of Chinese private schools in Sarawak with the organisers. Lu is seated seventh left. Datuk Tiong is on his left.
SIBU: Chinese private schools in Sarawak are positioning themselves as institutions where students excel in trilingual communication, as when they co-hosted the first statewide speech contest yesterday.
A total of 33 students from nine out of 14 Chinese schools in Sarawak took part in the contest, in which participants took on speaking in English, Mandarin and Malay languages.
Principal of host school SM Wong Nai Siong, Lu Yew Hiiung, said mastering of communication skills in the three languages had always been the focus of the Chinese private schools, adding that students had been well trained.
“This goes well in line with the fact that Malaysia is a multi-racial country, and students are geared towards learning to read, write and speak in the three languages.”
He said this ability was being focused to help build bridges among the people towards creating a nation of harmony.
He said Bahasa Malaysia is the official language and mastering it would break down barriers among the peoples of various races.
For English, he said it is an international language, and mastering it would help Malaysians to reach out, and for Mandarin, it is one of the cultural roots of the people.
On behalf of the chairman of Sibu Chinese Private School boards of management Association Datuk Tiong Thai King, he said Chinese private schools were gearing students to melt into the multi-racial society of Malaysia.
He said such a preempted preparation was important because after the students left school, they would enter the society where one day they would become leaders.
“Through this trilingual speech contest, we are also providing a platform for students in Sarawak to learn together through mutual support.”
He said bringing them together also gave the students a chance to build goodwill and mutual support in learning.
He said apart from the statewide speech contest, the Chinese private schools also co-hosted a bi-annual Sports Day.
The prize presentation was held yesterday afternoon.