Jiao Zong urges MCA and Gerakan to fight for more allocation for Chinese primary schools

Sin Chew Daily, 27 October, 2015

(Selangor, Kajang 26 October) United Chinese School Teachers’ Associations of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) urges MCA and Gerakan cabinet ministers to fight for allocation based on the number of schools and ratio of students as the yardstick to treat all schools in a fair and reasonable manner.

Jiao Zong is of the view that Chinese primary schools should be allocated more funds to fulfil the practical need of the school. At the same time, conforming secondary schools (SMJK) , which have been neglected in the past, should be given sufficient allocation too.”

In a statement issued today, Jiao Zong said as the 2016 Budget for all schools have been slashed from RM800 million this year to RM500 million where the government does not clearly state the allocation for different types of schools, the Chinese community is worried that allocation for Chinese primary schools and conforming secondary schools would be further reduced.

The statement said there are 1,297 Chinese Primary schools, 523 Tamil primary schools, 438 missionary schools, 69 boarding schools, 49 Mara Junior Science College and 116 People’s religions schools. The number of Chinese primary school is higher than the rest.

“Similarly, in terms of the number of students, the ratio of Chinese primary school students is higher. Hence, allocation for Chinese primary school should be higher.”

Allocation should be based on the number of students in schools

The statement said in the past few years, allocation received by Chinese primary schools are not in tandem with the number of Chinese schools and number of students in schools.

Citing the 2015 Budget as example, 69 boarding schools received RM50million in allocation. This means on average each school receives RM720,000. A total of 523 Tamil primary schools nationwide also receive RM50 millions in allocation. This means each school receives about RM95,000.

“A total of 1,297 Chinese primary schools receive RM50 millions of allocation. On average, each school receives about RM38,000.”

Hence, the government’s allocation is extremely unreasonable for Chinese primary schools. The government should rectify this.”

Jiao Zong is of the view that in fact, the allocation receives by Chinese primary school can never be enough to meet the development need of Chinese primary schools. This has resulted Chinese primary schools having to raise fund in order to build the schools, repair and other hardware development, causing the Chinese community to be unhappy.

Conforming secondary schools have been neglected for long term

In addition, Jiao Zong also said that as part of the national education system, the development of conforming secondary schools (SMJK) have long been neglected without receiving allocation that they deserve.

The statement said government would be implementing the 11th Malaysian Plan (2016-2020). While facing stiff competition and challenge from various countries in the world, the quality of national education, especially basic education, should be upgraded and given emphasis by the government.

The statement said multi-stream is the country’s uniqueness in the development of education. It is also an edge over others in global competition.

“Hence, the government is not only duty-bound to preserve the multi-stream schools in the country, continue to maintain the characteristics and status of Chinese primary schools and Tamil primary schools, it should list a common objective to strengthen all primary schools – national type, Chinese and Tamil primary schools.”

The statement said this would ensure students of all races are equal in accessing educational resources when they are in primary schools. By implementing quality education with practical and balanced development, this would help the country to groom quality and competitive human capitals.

Worry about abolition of allocation for electricity as the Budget does not deal with it
In addition, Jiao Zong is also concerned of Prime Minister not touching on the water and electricity bills of schools in 2016 Budget.

Jiao Zong is worried that the government may abolish allocation for utility bills where government aided schools would revert back to situation in the past starting next year by relying on allocation on annual expenses to pay for utility expenses. This would further increase the burden of the school and aggravate the situation of owing in utility bills.

When announcing the 2015 Budget last year, Prime Minister has increased the subsidy of utility bills for government-aided schools from a maximum of RM2,000 a month to a maximum of RM5,000. However, the 2016 Budget did not make any announcement on the subject.

Jiao Zong is of the view that to resolve the issue, government should be fair to all schools by including the utility expenses of all streams of schools aided by government under central payment system.

“This does not only save the schools in its administrative work and the schools would no longer worry about delay in settling utility bills due to insufficient administrative allocation.

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