'Sabah first to give budgets to Chinese, mission schools'
Published on: Monday, August 17, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang said Saturday, among all states in Malaysia, the Sabah Government is the first one to allocate budgets to assist Chinese as well as Mission schools."This gesture is made despite the fact that the portfolio of education is within the Federal jurisdiction. And in terms of the amount of grants, we have always been in the forefront," he said after officiating at the 'I Love Chinese Education East Malaysia Charity Concert' (EMCC) which raised RM378,000 from donors, sponsors and sale of dinner tables.The event was jointly organised by SJK © Chung Hwa Likas School Board of Directors (BOD) and Carlsberg Malaysia at the Sabah Hakka Hall to raise funds for the construction of a seven-storey multipurpose building and expansion of the existing school hall. Carlsberg Malaysia sponsored the entire entertainment programme, featuring artistes from the Peninsula.
ADVERTISEMENT
Teo, who is Tanjung Kapor Assemblyman, said the Board of Directors aimed to raise RM10 million for the proposed development projects. "The Government will also support the school to ensure the development plans come to fruition."Earlier, in his address, he stressed that the rise or fall of a nation depends on its education system while the quality of teachers defines the future of education. "Hence, it is crucial for teachers in Chinese schools to deepen their knowledge and understanding on the importance of Chinese education to strengthen their sense of responsibility and mission in preserving Chinese education."In our context, Malaysia is a multiracial and multicultural country where different races have their own mother tongue education, and the Chinese community is no exception," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Teo emphasised the need for Chinese education groups to promote exchanges and establish better rapport among themselves for the purpose of undertaking collaborative efforts in accelerating the development of Chinese education in Malaysia. "The government will also render its support to Chinese education development to ensure the existence of a moderate, harmonious and excellent multicultural society."Saying the Government places heavy emphasis on education as it is a vital part of nation-building, the Minister said : "A good education system will produce more outstanding citizens who are able to contribute positively to the development of a nation."
ADVERTISEMENT
He noted that the Government has initiated education transformation plans in recent years to elevate the education standard in Malaysia, an endeavour which required the concerted effort of schools and all other quarters.For years, Teo confirmed, Chinese predecessors have shown strong will to safeguard Chinese education in Malaysia, adding "Their determination and efforts in preserving Chinese education and culture have won the admiration and praise of many." This, he pointed out, implies that Chinese education is an important and indispensable element of the national education system.Earlier, President of the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), Datuk Michael Lui said Malaysian Chinese are serious about the survival and development of Chinese education in the country towards preserving the use of the mother tongue as well as Chinese culture."To safeguard Chinese education, it has become a tradition of the Chinese community to organise fund-raising events such as charity dinner, concert and jogathon. Upholding Chinese education is not just the job of a few individuals but rather a collective responsibility," he said, adding that contributors are made up of individuals, corporate bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charitable foundation (or community chest).According to Lui, solid support from the Chinese community has ensured the sustainability of the eight schools under the management of the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI). These are four primary schools, three kindergartens and Kota Kinabalu High School. "Until today, we have been able to secure sufficient funds and will continue to develop the schools so as not to disappoint the Chinese community," he said.Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Governors of SJK © Chung Hwa Likas, Chin Shu Ying acknowledged the State Government's contribution of RM250,000 which was given last year for construction of the multipurpose building.He said the charity dinner cum concert was the second fund-raising exercise this year after the Dermathon in May which managed to raise some RM400,000 by way of donation cards."Piling works for the multi-storey building is expected to commence at the end of the year when the school's Board of Governors will have raised about RM1 million to start off with. "Given the increasing student population to about 2,000, we are also planning to extend the existing school hall by 80pc so that there is just one assembly, instead of holding it twice to accommodate everybody," he explained.When the new structure is ready, Chin said, the six classrooms housed at the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) building will be shifted there prior to demolition in the interest of safety.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
