Thursday, September 28, 2006

2 New Chinese Schools allocated in 9MP

Approval for two Chinese schools

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said two new Chinese schools will be built under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). They are SJK (C) Tun Tan Siew Sin in Putra Heights, Selangor, and SJK (C) Kulai (2) in Johor.

Hishammuddin said this prove Barisan Nasional had not been just rhetoric. “We have our ways of discussing such issues and it is not our style to make an announcement until everything has been sorted out,” he said.

Last week, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar had said in Parliament that the Government would not build any vernacular schools under the 9MP. Hishammuddin, however, pointed out that his deputy could not be blamed for what he said because the matter was not under him. “As minister, I am the one with the power to decide whether we are to have such schools,” he said.

“This is why I decided to announce these new schools to prove there are such plans. There has never been a policy of not building national-type schools under the 9MP,” he said. “In fact, the Cabinet approved the name change to SJK (C) Tun Tan Siew Sin from SJK (C) Putra Heights one-and-a-half months ago.”

Reading this piece of news, I just find it hard to digest on various aspects.

Firstly, I am perplexed to hear a minister said his deputy wouldn't know what had been discussed in his own ministry. From the statement of Hishamuddin, it seems that only the minister had the power to decide without the need of his deputy to even know of it. I thought Pak Lah said every decision is based on consensus and no decisions will be made without consensus. That philosophy seems to contradict Hishamuddin's ideology.

Secondly, I may be perceived to be an ignoramus, but, in reality, do we need vernacular schools in Malaysia? Why are Chinese and Indians so conscious of the existence of such schools? Is there practical advantage to school children or is it merely to satisfy political-racial idealism to prove a point that such existence is prove of the rights of the races within the political realms.

Even in Singapore, nobody clamoured for a Chinese school. If it exist, it is about market demand and had nothing to do with races. In fact, in China, there are clamours for English schools and the Chinese authorities are effectively promoting English language.

Why are national-type schools used as a yardstick of measurement and measurement of what? Racial equality and social justice for the minorities cannot be benchmark or measured using vernacular schools and it shouldn't be used as a yardstick for political mileage. If those in power, the minority representatives, they should emphasise racial integration and equality in all social and economic aspects; more towards eradication of poverty, balanced educational and health system administration, and the abolition of discrimination and marginalisation. Most commoners aren't expecting the govt to give pecuniary handouts to enrich them; rather, they are seeking equalilty, social justice and economic efficiencies that benefited all, and neglected none, irrespective of race, color or creed.

And you know what MCA president response to Hishamuddin's statement?

The Star reported: Hishamuddin has very good and long-term plan, says Ka Ting

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has welcomed the Education Ministry’s approval to build two Chinese primary schools under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. He also thanked Education Minister Hishammuddin for the move that could help cater to the wishes of the majority of Malaysian Chinese.

OKT said: “I know Datuk Seri Hishammuddin has very good and long-term plans for our Malaysian education system. He is taking care of our multi-ethnic society.”

I don't know what's there to cheer about? Two schools and the trumpet is blared! MCA? Malaysian Chinese Association? Do they represents the Chinese in Malaysia? I doubt!

2 comments:

Helen said...

"Racial equality and social justice for the minorities cannot be benchmark or measured using vernacular schools and it shouldn't be used as a yardstick for political mileage."

I agree 100%, but on your question about why the Chinese and INdians are so conscious about the existence of such schools, IMHO, the question is "why not?" :-)

Looking at it from a non-political/racial angle, knowing an extra language is always an added bonus. Chinese or Indian schools have BM and English as mandatory subjects. THerefore, these schools taught an extra language compared with National schools.

But, IMHO the point is, there is indeed a demand for Chinese schools in the country. (I heard about the stats from a chinese radio channel) The garmen should look into the needs of the ppl. By definition of ppl, I dun just mean Chinese or INdian. Even the Malays, if, should there is a demand/need. That is equality.

Lemme puke at OKT's comment. Gosh, hope I'm not bulimic.

Howsy said...

Confirmed someone is a eunuch! He is so desperate for balls that he equates the 'generous gift' of 2 schools as his...you know what.