The Malaysian Insight

THE government should treat vernacular schools fairly and include them in education allocations under Budget 2019, said Chinese educationists.

The activists said they hope the government will allocate RM50 million for 885 Chinese primary schools and RM15 million for secondary schools.

“Additionally, there should be a grant of RM85 million for independent schools,” said Tan Tai Kim, newly-elected president of Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association).

Tan said funds would aid the restructuring of secondary schools and national vernacular primary schools, adding that there were currently 60 Chinese independent schools.

The annual administrative costs amount to RM40 million per year, or RM5,000 per student in independent schools, he said.

“I hope the government can include this in its first budget,” said Tan.

Chinese vernacular schools were allocated RM50 million under Budget 2018, which was announced by former prime minister Najib Razak last year.

Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations) president Pheng Yin Huah said he hopes the government will support education for ethnic groups.

“We welcome the government’s move to include administrative costs in its budget. This is a good start,” said Pheng.

While Chinese national schools receive a small funding from the federal government, independent schools are not funded as they are not considered a part of the national education system. – October 29, 2018.