Book on Chinese education launched
KUCHING: A book titled ‘Persist. Progress. Outshine —The Journey for Chinese Education in Kuching, Sarawak’ has been launched to enlighten the community on the history of Chinese education here.
According to author Chan Boon Ho, amongst others, the 161page book describes three major phases in Chinese education history and development in this city.
At the launch of the book yesterday, he said he narrated what happened to Chinese schools during a period from the British colonial era to the formation and after the formation of Malaysia, between the ‘50s and the ‘70s.
“During that time, Chinese schools were very much suppressed, but the Chinese community persevered to preserve Chinese education.
“Had the Chinese community then given up defending Chinese schools, these schools could have been transformed into national-type schools and we wouldn’t be seeing the Chinese schools we have today,” he said during the ceremony held at the Federation of KuchingSamarahan- Serian Divisions Chinese Associations’ premises here yesterday.
Chan said the second phase
Had the Chinese community then given up defending Chinese schools, these schools could have been transformed into nationaltype schools and we wouldn’t be seeing the Chinese schools we have today. Chan Boon Ho, author
recorded how Chinese schools progressed along with stable political development in the state.
“With stability in politics in the 80s, the Chinese community was able to further develop Chinese schools. The third phase was about how better economic performance and rapid development helped boost the progress of Chinese schools after the year 2000,” said the 77-year- old.
He added that it mattered a lot that the state government had become supportive of Chinese education in Sarawak.
The book was partially sponsored by the Datin Amar Wee Phang Nyuk Lian Education Foundation, named after its chairwoman.
Phang recalled that her late husband Datuk Amar Wee Hood Teck had dedicated his life to supporting Chinese education in this city.
She said the book would reflect on what had happened to Chinese schools here, from how they were oppressed to how determined the Chinese community was to keep the Chinese schools going.
Among those present were China’s Consul- General in Kuching Fu Jijun, Federation of Kuching- Samarahan- Serian Divisions Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee and Committee of Management for Kuching Chung Hua Primary Schools (CHPS) No.1 to 6 chairman Wong Tiong Hook.
At the launch, Chan presented several copies of his book to, among others, Phang, Fu, Wee, Wong as well as to Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No.1, 3 and 4, and Kuching CHPS No.1 to 6.