KUCHING: The Sarawak government has been asked to set up an administrative unit to look after the interest and financial needs of Chinese and Mission schools in the state.
The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division president Jonathan Chai made the call during the association’s 35th anniversary and fundraising dinner for the relocation of SJK Chung HuaBako at SJK Chung Hua No 3 here on Friday night.
Like the Unit for Other Religion (Unifor), the administrative unit for the Chinese and Mission schools could come under the Chief Minister’s Department, he added.
“Over the years, SJK Chung Hua had produced countless number of elite students for the country but it has been an onerous financial burden for the community to build and maintain the facilities for these schools,” said Chai.
He pointed out that the allocation of funds for the schools annually from the Federal government could hardly satisfy their actual needs.
“Therefore, the formation of such unit is deemed imperative in providing a lending hand to these schools,” he pointed out.
Chai also appealed to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to look into the requests from member schools on the need to have bigger spaces for their students’ activities.
This, he said, could be done through acquisition of private land or the alienation of state land adjoining the school premises.
“On the issue of land ownership, we would like to appeal to the Sarawak government to alienate the school premises of SJK Chung Hua No3 to the board of management of the school,” added Chai.
He also assured Abang Johari of the Chinese community’s support in his fight to reclaim the state’s autonomy in education.
“As education comes within the purview or jurisdiction of the Federal government, the Sarawak government’s hands are currently tied when dealing with education matters,” Chai pointed out.
“When the state hasfull autonomy in education, the education system can be revamped.
“We can overhaul the education system, especially in areas relating to the design of syllabus and curriculum, training of qualified teachers and provision of adequate facilities.
“It is only through a sound education system that we are able to keep abreast with time,” added Chai.
