Two Chinese primary schools relocated to Nilai are pending upgrading despite having few hundred of pupils

Sin Chew Daily, 16 Dec, 2015

(Negeri Sembilan, Seremban 15 December) SJK (C) Tung Hwa Seremban and SJK (C) Putra Nilai are two Chinese primary schools given new lease of life by relocating to Nilai. After few years, the number of pupils in the schools has increased to several hundreds. However, the schools are still regarded as “micro schools” without any news of upgrading.

It is learned that micro schools and type A of Chinese primary schools are different. Apart from allocation of teachers and staff, micro schools do not have senior assistants. Headmasters would have to appoint teachers to play the role to share the work load.

SJK(C) Tung Hwa was relocated from Tanah Merah to Seremban 2 four years ago. By next year the number of pupils reaches 750. SJK (C) Putra Nilai was formerly a Chinese primary school in Tampin. It was relocated to current address five years ago. The school has close to 500 pupils next year.

According to regulation by Education Ministry, these two schools can be upgraded to A type as schools with less than 150 pupils are micro schools, 150 pupils and above is classified as type B and type A for more than 500 pupils.

Schools classified as type A and type B are given three senior assistants. Micro school is without any senior assistant.

In other words, based on the number of pupils in two schools, the schools ought to be upgraded. Without senior assistants and administrative staff, teachers are forced to carry out more administrative work.

It is learned that Education Ministry upgrades schools every three years. In recent years, it has not carried out any adjustments. Reclassification of schools often involves man power and also equipment. Some schools are facing reducing number of pupils to be downgraded and slimming of administrative staff.

Zhao Zhi Guang: Waiting for schools to be upgraded

SJK(C) Tung Hwa headmaster Zhao Zhi Guang told Sin Chew Daily that he has informed Education Ministry the number of pupils in the school. He was informed that the school would be upgraded when Education Ministry carries out reclassification of schools nationwide. Officers do not know when it would be carried out.

He says the school started with 45 pupils for the first year in Seremban 2. It has since exceeded the number of pupils as micro schools.

The school has 160 new pupils next year. It can accommodate up to 175 pupils for year one. He urges parents to register their children as there are still vacancies.

“Next year, the total number of pupils reaches 750. The school is facing shortage of classrooms. The school has converted the hall as classrooms for pupils.

We are also starting fund raising campaign to build more classrooms. A three-storey building to house 18 classrooms has to be built by 2017. Otherwise we would not have enough classrooms.”

He also says that school teachers are appointed to be senior assistants.

Currently the school has 34 teachers. Four additional teachers and a counselor would be reporting to the school next year. He hopes Education Ministry can increase the number of teachers for the school.

Wen Zhi Lin: SJK (C) Putra Nilai has more than 500 pupils next year, fulfils requirement to be upgraded
Headmistress of SJK (C) Putra Nilai Wen Zhi Lin says the school has 90 pupils when it was relocated to Nilai. The number of pupils reaches 500 next year. There will be 100 new pupils. In other words, the school has fulfilled requirement to be upgraded.

According to her understanding, the school would be automatically upgraded when Education Ministry conducts reclassification of schools.

As the school is still a micro school, it does not have a senior assistant and administrative staff. Teachers have more administrative work to handle.

She reveals that currently the school has 27 teachers. She hopes the school to have two additional teachers next year.

The school still has 20 vacancies for new pupils next year. The school is still able to accept new pupils. There will be 100 new pupils next year.

The school plans to have 16 classes next year. As the number of pupils increases, the school has started fund raising campaign to build a four-storey building.

Negeri Sembilan school inspector: Different category for schools in urban and rural areas.

Zhu Suan Hong, Chinese school inspector in Negeri Sembilan tells Sin Chew Daily that classification of schools differs for urban and rural area. In rural area, if the school has more than 150 pupils, it can be upgraded to type A.

She said it is inappropriate for her to reply when Education Ministry would carry out reclassification of schools.

Original Source:
學生數百還是微小‧芙蓉汝來2遷校華小苦等“升型”