Chinese schools not deliberating on ‘black shoes’ directive
KUCHING: The Chinese independent schools here will not be following the Education Ministry ( MoE)’s ruling for students to switch to wearing black shoes, from white shoes.
Board of Management for Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No 1, 3 and 4 chairman Dato Richard Wee said the policy is not being considered as there are other more pressing matters to pursue.
He opined that instead, the ministry should focus on addressing major issues such as the recognition of Unified Examination Certificate ( UEC) – the credential held by students of Chinese independent schools.
He said although the UEC is recognised by various universities across the globe, it is still awaiting full recognition by the Malaysian government.
“Personally I think this matter of black or white shoes for students is a minor issue and the MoE has more important matters and issues to deal with, such as the recognition of UEC, computer classes for primary schools, and the reintroduction of the concept of ‘Vision Schools’,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Wee was prompted for comments on whether Chinese independent schools under the board’s care would adopt the ministry’s policy of expecting students to wear black shoes to school – to be fully enforced by 2021.
He added: “There is no intention of our Chinese independent schools to consider this matter, as of now. We have other more important and pressing issues to deal with.”
Wee also declined to say whether the MoE had lost its focus in improving the nation’s education system, but he felt that the ministry is ‘definitely not focused on what needed to be done first’.
Last Saturday, the MoE in a statement said the requirement for students in government and government- aided schools to wear black shoes would be fully enforced by 2021.
The new policy would be enforced in stages, starting next year, and during the transition period, students would still be allowed to wear white shoes to school.