By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 2: The number of Bumiputera students enrolled in Chinese-aided (SJK) schools in Sarawak has steadily increased, with 38 per cent of the 60,000 students now being non-Chinese.
Association of Chinese Aided Primary School Management Boards for Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian Divisions chairman Dato Jonathan Chai revealed that this figure significantly exceed the national average of 20 per cent.
“As a result, SJK Chung Hua is no longer merely a Chinese school; it has evolved into a community school that provides education for students of all races.
“SJK Chung Hua serves as a ‘melting pot’ for students from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, making it an important platform for preserving unity and fostering racial harmony. This is the values we must not take for granted,” he remarked during his speech at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Association, officiated by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Tuesday (Oct 1).
To support Bumiputera students in overcoming challenges in studying Mandarin, Chai revealed that the Association undertook a research project and field study in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) last year in which some of the proposed strategies will soon be implemented.
He also highlighted that member schools have begun introducing smart classrooms in 2019, aligning with the Sarawak government’s efforts to leverage technological advancements.
“With the support of the Tan Guek Kee and Lee Siew Ling Charity Foundation, we have installed 62 smart classrooms in 28 schools, costing approximately RM1 million. Priority has been given to schools in rural areas where resources are scarce, aiming to bridge the educational gap between urban and rural regions,” he stated.
Chai added that starting this year, the Sarawak government will begin channeling funding through the Special Unit for SJK Chung Hua to facilitate the installation of smart classrooms in Chinese-aided schools throughout the region in stages.
Noting that the Sarawak government has allocated RM15 million for providing free laptops to students in public and private higher learning institutions, he expressed hope that this initiative would also benefit school students in enhancing their classroom learning.
“We want Anak Sarawak to have access to and harness the power of the latest technology in their continuous learning. We hope the Sarawak Premier will provide us with the necessary financial assistance to ensure quality education for our students,” he added.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Deputy Chinese Consul-General in Kuching Song Chang Hong and Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak president Dato Richard Wee were among the distinguished guests present. — DayakDaily
