Rep proposes students speak in English in school

KUCHING: Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep proposes that students in all schools in Bau speak in English.

He said this was because the command of English among students in schools is worrying, so getting them to communicate in English in the school compound will help turn things around.

“We want to encourage the use of English, and in Bau, we want the District Education Office to put this into action. English is important as it allows graduates to get a job – the first question during a job interview is ‘Can you communicate in English?’,” Henry said at Bau District Chung Hua Cluster Teachers’ Day dinner on Friday.

Most correspondence including in government departments are in English, he observed.

Meanwhile, he mentioned Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin’s statement during windingup at the Dewan Undangan sitting on Friday that the state government had proposed to the federal government to solve the problem of 960 dilapidated schools in the state.

As these schools require urgent repair, rebuilt or relocation, the state government wants to strike a deal with the federal government.

“The state government will spend its own money first on condition the federal government pays for all the

We want to encourage the use of English, and in Bau, we want the District Education Office to put this into action. English is important as it allows graduates to get a job – the first question during a job interview is ‘Can you communicate in English?’ — Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Tasik Biru assemblyman

school repairs, rebuilding or relocation costs of RM1 billion. Let’s hope this will materialise,” he said.

This shows the importance of the state government in education. Its recognition of the Unified Education Certificate (UEC) means those with the certificate can further their studies in universities and seek employment in the government sector, he said.

Harry said teachers are important and their role should be appreciated as they are the ones producing engineers, lawyers, accountants and others.

“Anyone successful in life is the product of teachers. That’s why Teachers’ Day is important to celebrate and appreciate our teachers.”

Harry urged all Bau folk to turn up to greet the chief minister who will be coming to Bau on July 15 for three events - ground breaking for the new Bau District Office, launching 60th anniversary of Bau District Council, and launching of Tasik Biru Festival.

He announced an allocation of RM10,000 and RM5,000 from Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh for SJK Chung Hua Bau Alumni Association.

The sons of former Bau (now Tasik Biru) assemblyman Lee Nyan Choi also gave the alumni RM20,000 each. Lee and his sons are also sponsoring 25 teachers and the alumni committee to Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Penang on a 5-day/4night benchmark programme in September.

Earlier, Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division head Liu Thian Leong hoped people would continue to support education and respect and cooperate with teachers.

He urged the community to give back to society by helping the needy.

San Chin Realty Sdn Bhd managing director Lee Chin Teck who also spoke said he disagreed with his wife (who has lived in Australia for over 15 years) on his children’s education so decided to let them study in a Chinese primary school and Lodge Secondary School to get the best of both worlds.

“One day, my second son called me and told me he is proud that in addition to speaking English he is also fluent in Mandarin.”

His company managed to secure a contract due to his fluency in Mandarin.

And he admires his father Lee Nyan Choi’s effort in helping Chinese education.