KUCHING: The State Chinese medium schools need more classrooms in order to provide a quality education for all regardless of race.
According to Minister of Local Government Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, the Chinese schools in the urban areas are always crowded because also attending there are not only Chinese students, but also those from other communities.
“For example, in one Chinese school, 30 per cent of the students are Bumiputera, and with the rural-urban migration, there is an urgent need for more classrooms in the Chinese schools to support the increasing number of students.
“The Chinese medium schools in Sarawak provide a quality education irrespective of race and religion and furthermore, with English language as our second official State language, together with Bahasa Melayu and Chinese language, we want Sarawakians to get the best in terms of education, and Chinese schools provide that opportunity. That is one of the reasons why the Chinese medium schools are popular here in the State,” said Sim in his speech at the ground breaking ceremony of SJK (c) Stampin, yesterday.
He added that the Chinese schools in Sarawak provide a good quality education and there has never been any question or issue of disunity.
Sim also noted that with the additional Chinese language to learn, it will give the students a competitive advantage.
“With better facilities, together with mastering English and Chinese languages, Sarawakian are not just going to get a better result in education, we will be the shining example of how to be competitive in the new era of globalisation.
“We want to be better and that is why under the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak is going to be the electricity and cyber powerhouse,” he said, adding that is why education is important and the Chinese community members are willing to share with everyone irrespective of race so that the whole community can prosper together.
Also speaking was Education Minister Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid who he said that the private partnership for the school project is the initiative of the government and the private sector called ‘land swap’.
He said in this case, SRJK (c) Stampin’s current location is not suitable for the students and the teachers and as it is situated right on the protocol road to Kuching.
“This initiative should be supported because in the long run, the school is not suitable to be on the side of the main road as it endangers the student and teachers, at the same time causing traffic jam too,” he said.
The new SJK (C) Stampin area comprises three acres of land with the total cost of RM17 million for 30 classrooms to accommodate about 1,000 students.
The land swap was approved by Minister of Resources Planning Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who also assisted in waving the land premium for the school worth RM1.8 million, which will be added in the budget for the school relocation.
Also present were Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Director General of Education Tan Sri Dr. Khair Mohd. Yusof, San Chin – BBC JV Sdn Bhd Managing Director Lee Chin Teck and other distinguished guesta.
