©My Sinchew (Used by permission)
When a film company asked its candidates questions about physics in an interview or when a candidate applying for the position of clerk is asked to make a speech on stage, you may think it does not make sense at all. In fact, it does happen in reality. Some temporary teachers, who have applied to join a holiday training program, were asked to perform Chinese opera, singing and dancing during interviews.
Teacher shortage has always been a headache for Chinese education. Many problems “suddenly cropped up” and are temporarily resolved. This year, the problems included many teachers who do not understand Chinese have been assigned by the Johor State Education Department to teach in Chinese primary schools next year; a suggestion for vernacular primary schools to adopt the same syllabus used in national schools for the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) language subject; teaching new subject Malaysia Negaraku in vernacular languages and the relocation and expansion of schools can only start after they have raised at least 80% of construction costs. These problems will only be tackled in 2010, and the new year is going to have new problems.
Teacher shortage has always been a headache for Chinese education. Many problems “suddenly cropped up” and are temporarily resolved. This year, the problems included many teachers who do not understand Chinese have been assigned by the Johor State Education Department to teach in Chinese primary schools next year; a suggestion for vernacular primary schools to adopt the same syllabus used in national schools for the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) language subject; teaching new subject Malaysia Negaraku in vernacular languages and the relocation and expansion of schools can only start after they have raised at least 80% of construction costs. These problems will only be tackled in 2010, and the new year is going to have new problems.
Chinese education problems are usually solved through in–house negotiations by the Chinese–based political party of BN. For example, they fought for the expansion and relocation for Chinese primary schools during Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting's era. When MCA leaders are busy with their party crisis, they care only their own interests and neglect the social affairs of the Chinese community. Chinese education problems can now rely only on the relationship between Chinese groups and the Prime Minister.
According to news reports, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dealt with the 80% construction costs issue when he attended the grand dinner to celebrate the swearing–in of the new central committee of Hua Zong by personally called the officials responsible.
Hua Zong or the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (FeCAM) Chairman Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah also said that Hua Zong had submitted a “letter of intent” listing various problems faced by the Chinese community to the Prime Minister during the dinner.
Also, Hua Zong recommended the establishment of a special committee to study various issues concerning the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and brain drain of Chinese students. It was meant to study the recognition of the status of Chinese independent high schools and the UEC based on the world view, pure academic and national condition needs.
The Prime Minister is always occupied with myriads of nationbal problems and it is very lucky to have him attending Chinese community activities once in a month. The Chinese community cannot just wait and make petition only when they meet the Prime Minister. Chinese education issues should not wait like this , too. The “letter of intent” will have to be passed to the relavent officials and who knows whether there will be someone trying to spoil it? Someone is actually trying to stop the fund raising efforts for Chinese primary schools, how can we expect the officials to recognise the UEC?
Many people know that in order to reform the Chinese education system, we must start from the system, including systematic fund appropriation for Chinese primary schools and independent high schools; as stated in the Education Act the government will provide a certain amount of appropriation to each student each year and the Education Ministry must distribute funds to the schools, regardless of stream, according to the budget. Similarly the education Ministry must train teachers according to needs.
However, it is very difficult to change the system at this stage, unless if the political situation changes. The only way now is to strengthen the “1Malaysia” concept and treat the people fairly. The training modules of Biro Tata Negara should include the contribution made by various racial groups and schools of different streams towards the country. Only by changing the thinking, the officials and politicians will openly view Chinese education system without politicising or racialising it. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
According to news reports, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dealt with the 80% construction costs issue when he attended the grand dinner to celebrate the swearing–in of the new central committee of Hua Zong by personally called the officials responsible.
Hua Zong or the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (FeCAM) Chairman Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah also said that Hua Zong had submitted a “letter of intent” listing various problems faced by the Chinese community to the Prime Minister during the dinner.
Also, Hua Zong recommended the establishment of a special committee to study various issues concerning the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and brain drain of Chinese students. It was meant to study the recognition of the status of Chinese independent high schools and the UEC based on the world view, pure academic and national condition needs.
The Prime Minister is always occupied with myriads of nationbal problems and it is very lucky to have him attending Chinese community activities once in a month. The Chinese community cannot just wait and make petition only when they meet the Prime Minister. Chinese education issues should not wait like this , too. The “letter of intent” will have to be passed to the relavent officials and who knows whether there will be someone trying to spoil it? Someone is actually trying to stop the fund raising efforts for Chinese primary schools, how can we expect the officials to recognise the UEC?
Many people know that in order to reform the Chinese education system, we must start from the system, including systematic fund appropriation for Chinese primary schools and independent high schools; as stated in the Education Act the government will provide a certain amount of appropriation to each student each year and the Education Ministry must distribute funds to the schools, regardless of stream, according to the budget. Similarly the education Ministry must train teachers according to needs.
However, it is very difficult to change the system at this stage, unless if the political situation changes. The only way now is to strengthen the “1Malaysia” concept and treat the people fairly. The training modules of Biro Tata Negara should include the contribution made by various racial groups and schools of different streams towards the country. Only by changing the thinking, the officials and politicians will openly view Chinese education system without politicising or racialising it. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)