Advantage for students well versed in other languages — Teo
KOTA KINABALU: The emphasis and learning of three languages, namely Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin, in Chinese primary schools will enable students to gain a competitive advantage and benefit them in future endeavours.
Minister with Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the majority of people in many developed countries only learned a single language.
Therefore, he said, being wellversed in another language in this globalized world would be a competitive advantage for an individual.
Teo said this during a courtesy call by the organizing committee of the 34th Bahasa Malaysia Speech Competition and Written Test, 31st Mandarin Speech Competition, 21st Chinese Written Test, 13th Chinese Poetry Recital Contest and 13th English Speech Competition, here.
Sabah Chinese Primary School Working Committee chairman cum event chairman Datuk William Chu said a welcoming dinner would be held at SM Kian Kok on May 19, 7pm, whereas the competitions would be held on May 20.
Teo was invited as the guest of honour for the closing and prize giving ceremonies on May 20 evening.
Teo agreed to officiate at the event, adding that the state government would continue to provide allocation in support of the competitions.
He said the competitions had helped to enhance the skills of Chinese primary school pupils in speech and poetry recital.
He said many bumiputera and Indian pupils who studied at Chinese primary schools had also taken part in the competitions and showed outstanding performance.
With China becoming one of the world’s largest economies, Teo pointed out that people, including bumiputeras, who had mastered the Chinese language would have a brighter future globally.
On the other hand, Teo said the annual allocation by the state government to Chinese education in Sabah was rarely seen in other states.
He said even the Sarawak state government only provided funding for Chinese independent schools, but not Chinese primary schools.
Teo added that the state government also supported Chinese community events, such as Sabah Chinese Independent School Debate Competition and Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race.
Also present was assistant state education director of Chinese School Unit, Tham Yun Fook.