Liu Thian Leong
KUCHING: The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions will support mergers of schools with low numbers of pupils or relocating them to densely populated areas.
Association president Liu Thian Leong said the Chinese community could not afford to have any school licence revoked, but would be open to options of merger or relocation.
“I know of a few aided Chinese primary schools, especially in rural areas such as Beliong with a small number of pupils. As far the association is concerned, we want to keep those schools going.
“At the same time, we also hope that the respective school boards would consider our idea of relocating those schools to densely populated places to better serve its purpose,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Liu was commenting on Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong’s statement on Wednesday that schools with low student enrolment should be centralised to improve performance and facilities.
He concurred with the minister that schools with low numbers of pupils might be incapable of organising extracurricular activities for the benefit of pupils.
“Without the number, the competition is either low or not there. Club activities are beneficial for pupils and not having the number can be a disadvantage to the school,” Liu said.
He pointed out there are a few aided Chinese primary schools here and in Samarahan Division with less than 10 pupils.
“Even though the number of pupils may be small, it does not mean that they cannot perform. Some of them can score even higher than their counterparts in schools with high enrolment.
“This is because they get a lot of help from their teachers, who can pay due attention to them given the small number,” he said.
To boost enrolment, Liu said school boards of management had even offered incentives or allowances to Bumiputera pupils.
“It is very difficult to get new licences to open new schools. Hence, the Chinese community has been trying to keep the existing licences.”
Citing the example of SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang Hilir, he said the school was located at Jalan Bako before being relocated to its present site at Batu Kawah New Township (MJC Batu Kawah).
“Not only was the land acquired by the government but the school was also dilapidated, with about 40 pupils – all Bumiputeras. So the association helped the school board relocate the school to MJC Batu Kawah.
“The entire relocation project cost about RM10 million and after the relocation, the school now has about 700 pupils,” he said.
Liu stressed that it is vital for the respective school boards of management to consider relocation or risk being closed down.
“If a school could manage only one or two new pupils every year, it is going to discourage parents from sending their children to the school. This situation won’t benefit the school very long,” he added.
Based on his observation, Liu said Bumiputera pupils might not excel in Chinese and Mathematics subjects but would shine in other subjects.
“Most Bumiputera parents send their children to Chinese schools because they want the young ones to learn the Chinese language. Our Bumiputera children are generally doing well in Chinese schools,” he said.
Among the schools with high numbers of Bumiputera pupils are SJK Chung Hua Beliong, SJK Chung Hua Batu Kitang, SJK Chung Hua Tambirat, SJK Chung Hua Sebuyau, SJK Chung Hua Sungai Buda, SJK Chung Hua Batu 15, SJK Chung Hua Simunjan, SJK Chung Hua Semera, SJK Chung Hua Sebangan, and SJK Chung Hua Buntal.