Memo on Chinese education to be drafted

CHINESE education groups Dong Zong and Jiao Zong will be holding a “7+1 Chinese organisation interaction session” on Sunday to draft a memorandum on Chinese education to be presented to the government ahead of the 14th general election.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily yesterday, an invite to the session, originally planned for Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committee Association), Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers Association) and five other Chinese non-governmental organisations, has been extended to the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

ACCCIM has confirmed receiving the invitation but has yet to decide whether to attend the session and be a party to the memorandum.

The other organisations invited, including Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia); Federation of Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia; and Malaysian Seven Major Clan Association, which had submitted requests regarding Chinese education to the government prior to general elections in the past, hope to see a positive outcome this time around.

They felt that given the current world order and the increasing popularity of the Chinese language around the world, the government of the day needs to relook the needs regarding Chinese education in the country and to assist its development with the aim of imparting education and nurturing talents instead of treating it as a political issue.

Dong Zong president Datuk Vincent Lau told Sin Chew that the memorandum will tentatively have 12 points, including getting government recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate and the systematic development of Chinese schools based on needs.

“We have outlined the points to be included in the memorandum but because they are still being discussed, it is inappropriate to disclose them,” Lau said when asked for more information regarding the memorandum.