KUCHING: The state government has increased an allocation for Chinese Aided Primary Schools from RM9 million last year to RM12 this year, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said.
He said the RM12 million allocation is in addition to the RM10 million allocated to the Chinese Aided Secondary schools.
He said the allocation is in recognition of the important role of the Chinese schools in the development of the state.
"I have discussed with Dr Sim, yes, the majority of the students are Chinese, but then the schools have changed over the years to become the united community schools," he said, referring to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who has been entrusted by the state government to oversee the Chinese schools in Sarawak.
"But to me, the schools are another venue for the students to get educational facilities," he said at the 40th-anniversary dinner of the Association of the Chinese Aided Primary School Boards of Management of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Division last night.
He said he considered Chinese schools as partners to the state government in the development of Sarawak.
He added that Chinese schools are no longer solely for the Chinese community as there are also those from the Bumiputera community who are sending their children to study in these schools.
He added that the state government has also recognised the United Examination Certificate (UEC) which allows Chinese school students to continue their studies in strategic fields at the state-owned institutions of higher learning.
"By 2026, UEC students will be eligible to continue their studies in these educational institutions in important fields such as satellite and aerospace technology and this education will be provided free of charge," he explained.
The premier also emphasised that investment in education is an important element in preparing the young generation with relevant skills to face an increasingly advanced and competitive world.
Earlier in his speech, the association of management boards chairman Datuk Jonathan Chai Voon Tok said since its inception, the association has been playing an important and effective role as the guardian for the 58 Chinese schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions.
He said over the past 15 years it has completed the enormous task of relocating and rebuilding SJK Chung Hua, Sungai Tapang, SJK Chung Hua, Bako and SJK(C) Kai Nang, stressing that these schools would otherwise have been closed due to a shortage of students.
"Of course, this would not have been accomplished without the financial support of the Sarawak government and the generous donations from the community.
"On that note, we are very grateful to the premier for his openness and fairness in agreeing to set up the Special Unit for Chinese Schools headed by Dr Sim," he said.
He said the Sarawak government has been providing financial support to Chinese primary schools since 2020 with the initial grant of RM8 million and now increased to RM12 million to cater for schools in need of relocation, rebuilding and extension.
Chai said the funding has significantly reduced the burden of the boards of management of those schools and the Chinese community in general.
"Over the years, we have witnessed a steady increase of Bumiputera students enrolling to study in SJK Chung Hua in Sarawak, he said, adding that out of nearly 60,000 students studying in Chinese schools last year, 38 per cent were non-Chinese or Bumiputera students compared to national average of 20 per cent.
"As such, Chinese schools are no longer Chinese schools per se and they are more like a community school which provides education for students of all races," Chai said.