DJZ: Gov’t breaks promise on vernacular schools
Malaysiakini
Sep 22, 2006

The government has allegedly broken its promise by pulling the plug on the construction of new Chinese and Tamil primary schools under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

According to Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ), Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had promised to build more vernacular schools.

However, Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar revealed two days ago that under the 9MP there would be no more new vernacular schools.

Expressing disappointment with this, DJZ urged Barisan Nasional’s Chinese-based parties such as MCA, Gerakan and Sarawak’s Supp and Sabah's LDP to clear the air on this issue.

DJZ said the government should understand the people’s need for education and provide fair treatment to all schools.

"Based on the funds allocated by the government, it is obvious that they have placed more emphasis on SK (sekolah kebangsaan - national schools) and have marginalised SJK (sekolah jenis kebangsaan - vernacular schools)," the movement said in a statement. 

188 years to build 134 schools 

From 1970 to 2006, it is estimated that the country saw an increase of 2,900 national schools.

During the same period, a total of 193 vernacular schools - 58 Chinese schools and 134 Tamil schools - closed down.

According to DJZ, there is a demand for 134 Chinese schools nationwide at present.

“If the government only builds five or so Chinese schools every four years once when an election comes, then it will take 188 years, or 47 elections, before the 134 schools will be completed

“But by then, the population will increase and more schools would be needed,” said the movement.