Education Ministry did not stop mother-tongue classes, classes in SMK should resume soon, says Lim Eng Hua

Guang Ming Daily, February 18, 2016

TAIPING, Feb 17 – Malaysia SMJK Development Committee (MSDC) chairman Lim Eng Hua said the Education Ministry did not stop the mother-tongue classes in national secondary schools (SMK), he hoped the mother-tongue classes in SMK will be resumed as soon as possible.

He mentioned today he received complaints from several SMK, stating their trouble in setting up mother-tongue classes due to lack of funding. He later reported the situation to Deputy Minister of Education Chong Sing Woon; the latter said the Education Ministry did not put any ban on the mother-tongue classes.

“Therefore, mother-tongue classes in SMK must be continued, there’s no reason to stop the classes.”

Student has the right to learn mother-tongue

Lim Eng Hua said there are many Chinese students studying in SMK, it is their right to learn their own mother-tongue, and the school must set up mother-tongue class.

He said some of the mother-tongue classes are not considered as official school subject, therefore the school needs to hire additional teacher. However, some schools that are lack of funding and teachers have not set up mother-tongue classes since the school year begins.

He said since the students must register for official examination next month, the mother-tongue classes in SMK must be carried out in order for the students to make a choice.