According to the figures compiled by the ministry, the statistics show an increase of 15,020 non-Chinese students in SJKCs over the last five years – with the breakdown of 15.31 per cent, or equivalent to 87,463 non-Chinese students, in 2014, as compared to 11.84 per cent, or 72,443 students in 2010.
The ministry also recorded that the number of non-Chinese pupils who were enrolled in SJKCs nationwide has increased more than 20 per cent, which is in contrast to the reduced number of enrolment for Chinese pupils in SJKCs, whereby, the number of students have reduced by 10.3 per cent from 539,621 in 2010 to 483,852 in 2014.
What’s more surprising is that the ratio of non-Chinese to Chinese pupils studying in SJKCs has doubled in the past five years. In 2010, there was one non-Chinese out of 10 Chinese pupils in SJKCs, but as of last year, the number has grown to two out of 10 non-Chinese for every 10 Chinese pupils.
Despite the array of well-equipped national schools available in the country, a question that begs: Why are more non-Chinese parents enrolling their children in SJKCs especially in recent years? Could this be a trend, or is it purely a choice?
Malaysian Digest delved deeper in the subject, speaking to parents, and former SJKC non-Chinese students, who all shared their thoughts.
Non-Chinese Parents On Sending Their Children To SJKCs
In an interview with Malaysian Digest, Mohammad Saifuddin, 54, an electronics engineer, whose youngest daughter is now studying in SRJK(C) Sungai Salak, Taman Seremban Jaya, affirms from his observation, that the attention given by teachers to the students, along with the advantages of being able to speak an extra language are the main reasons he enrolled his 10-year-old in a Chinese-medium school.
“My wife and I decided to enroll our youngest daughter at a Chinese kindergarten when she was four, before proceeding to send her to a primary level Chinese-medium school. In fact, my brother-in-law and some of my relatives also send their children to SJKCs.
“It may sound cliché but I think students in Chinese schools are much more disciplined as they practise a stricter system, and the students get more personal attention from the teachers, compared to national-type schools,” Saifuddin opined.
“My daughter can read, speak and write in Mandarin very well. She has no problems at all when it comes to socialising with her Chinese classmates. In fact, some people have even mistaken my wife to be Chinese because my daughter spoke Mandarin with people they've met,” he proudly shared.
Asked whether vernacular education would dilute his daughter’s Malay roots, Saifuddin remarked: “No, I must say it is absurd for anyone who thinks that way. Non-Chinese students in SJKCs would usually revert to their mother tongue upon returning home after school.”
He added, “Besides, sending your child to SJKC does not pose as a barrier to your practicing faith, and they are still allowed to attend religious classes, and as parents we can make sure they pray. So, I don’t really see a problem.
“In fact, I hold on tight to the notion that being able to converse in Mandarin is an advantage especially in today’s increasingly globalised world.
“Being bilingual certainly has its advantages as it would help one to secure good employment opportunities. It is not an overstatement to say that learning Mandarin is a great advantage of enrolling your children to SJKCs.”
Annie vouched without hesitation, saying how the stricter system in Chinese-medium schools would help children achieve better academic results.
“My husband and I saw a lot of benefits in sending our children to a Chinese-medium school. From our observation, we noticed that students in SJKCs are faced with less disciplinary problems compared to those in other types of schools.
“There are less fighting and bullying cases in the school compound, and the teachers are far more committed and stricter. As such, it is understandable that students in Chinese schools tend to progress faster and better, both academically and in their personal growth,” said the mother-of-three.
“In fact, I am of the opinion that students in SJKCs are more forthright and vocal. They express their thoughts more eloquently and tend to carry themselves better. In addition, students in Chinese schools are highly motivated and level-headed; they do not simply follow what their friends do.
“Furthermore, being able to speak Mandarin is an advantage because it is a widely spoken language, not only in Malaysia but around the world. I would definitely encourage non-Chinese parents to enroll their children in Chinese schools, as we, as parents, have observed a lot of positive things in SJKCs,” she highlighted.
Also giving SJKCs a nod, Ragu Sundararajan, 40, a government servant from Kuala Lumpur, who also sends all his three children, Loshtenii, Shaatish and Kirthana to SRJK (C) Sentul Pasar, Sentul Garden, said his intention was so his children would acquire an additional language. He also commended the administration of SJKCs.
“My wife and I believe learning Mandarin would certainly go a long way in shaping our children’s future, given the fact that China continues to expand its global influence. Hence, being able to converse in Mandarin gives an extra edge in this competitive world, and makes an individual more sought-after everywhere they go,” Ragu spoke out.
“True enough, children are more receptive at a young age, so it’s easier for them to become bilingual. I’m happy that my children have acquired an additional language and now they can speak Mandarin very well.
“In fact, they have won numerous Mandarin speaking competitions in school. They are well-versed and speak just as good as their Chinese friends,” exclaimed the extremely proud father.
He then added: “It is true that teachers in Chinese schools are more committed, and the students are well-disciplined. Take my children, for example, they tend to have a lot of homework compared to their friends in other schools and this makes them more focused.”
Career Advantages Of Being Multilingual – Non-Chinese Alumni Of SJKCs Weigh In
There is no denying that in this vastly competitive world of job hunting, language skills can open new doors and make an applicant stand out from hundreds, if not thousands of others. Having said that, when it comes to career advantages, multilingual employees are known to earn more than their monolingual peers, according to DirectEmployers.
“Since I’m working in a company where most of my fellow colleagues are Chinese, being able to speak Mandarin has given me a lot of advantages in my working life.
"I am always confident in performing the tasks assigned to me, and this has helped me perform fairly well at work. More often than not, I also speak Mandarin with my superiors and they are impressed," said the 25-year-old.
“During my university years and my six-month internship at Western Digital, being able to speak Mandarin has also helped me a lot, especially when I was required to communicate in Mandarin with my Chinese counterparts from overseas who could barely speak English.
“That itself is enough of a reason as to why I will never regret learning Mandarin and going to a Chinese school,” Shakina shared.
Mahadir Mohammad, 35, who is from Sitiawan, Perak, couldn’t agree more with Shakinah’s remarks. He also attributes his success to the special attention he had received from his Mandarin teacher at SJK(C) Khuen Hean, Changkat Keruing, Perak.
“Learning Mandarin in a Chinese school is an unforgettable experience. In fact, Mandarin was one of my favourite subjects in primary school and I scored an ‘A’ in one of my Chinese papers for UPSR.
“If you ask me, I would say I am extremely proud to be the ‘product’ of a Chinese school as it has broadened my horizons – both in my personal and professional life,” said the man who is now employed under Kencana HL Fabrication Yard, Lumut, Perak.
Speaking of the career advantages of being able to converse and understand Mandarin, Mahadir tells us: “Being well-versed in the language has allowed me to have direct dealings with businessmen from Taiwan.
“I even speak with our Chinese partners from overseas on behalf of my bosses, especially when they are on a tight schedule.
"It is a huge advantage for me as it does not only help me to score some ‘bonus points’ from my superiors, but it also gives me an added exposure and allows me to gain useful experiences,” he expressed.
Challenges Faced By Vernacular Schools In Malaysia
Despite the many positive responses from non-Chinese parents and former students about SJKCs, sadly, the topic of vernacular schools is frequently debated and being highly politicised.
SJKCs are blamed for diluting other races, hindering one from their secular nature, impeding national unity and accused of spreading anti-government sentiments.
All these insinuations have led to the dispute over abolishing vernacular schools and instead having single-stream schools, as mooted by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, who wanted the single-stream school system to be given priority to foster unity among the communities in the country.
Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also of the opinion that Malaysia can achieve racial harmony if vernacular schools are abolished.
“How can a country have three different systems based on race and religion with no meeting point. We must have national education that crosses the barriers of race, religion and ethnicity,” Zahid said in an interview with Berita Harian.
Meanwhile, commenting on the views of several parties, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid says the single-stream school idea needs to be discussed by leaders of all communities.
“Everybody has to think what is best for unity. If the source (of unity) is from education, then we have to act. (All communities) have to sit down seriously and have the political courage to state the needs of the country 50 years in the future.”
It seems like the emphasis of national unity is being put forth by our ministers, yet Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon begs to differ, and states that there is no issue when it comes to enrolling non-Chinese children in Chinese-medium schools.
“SJKC is the preferred choice of other races so there is no issue of SJKC being an obstacle to national unity” he said at the Dewan Rakyat last month.
With everyone still at loggerheads, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the future holds for SJKCs. But for now, as Malaysians, we can all rejoice knowing the fact that the true cultural and multiethnic spirit of our country is displayed by our interviewees, who clearly revel in their experiences as Malaysians, regardless different backgrounds and beliefs.
- mD
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