BAHAU: SJK(C) Chi Sin, a Chinese primary school in Batu Kikir, kicked off the new school year with a full intake of Malay students for Year One. School Principal Won Siew Knew reported having 20 Malay students, making them the majority with 62 out of 66 students.

SJK(C) Chi Sin is known for its efforts in cultural integration. The school celebrates various festivities like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Mid-Autumn Festival with gusto. Malay parents actively participate by decorating the venue and preparing for the celebrations.

This unique school boasts a large Malay student population. However, it remains true to its identity as a Chinese school by using Mandarin as the primary medium of instruction. The dedicated teaching staff has developed their own methods to guide Malay students through their learning journey in Chinese. Their innovative approach even garnered interest from The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong), which sent researchers to study their methods.

SJK(C) Chi Sin has come a long way from experiencing a drastic decline in enrolment a decade ago, when the school population dropped to 20. In recent years, its welcoming and effective teaching methods have gained acceptance among Malay parents, making it a preferred choice for those who want their children to learn another language.  This is evident in the steady growth, with the current student body comprising 20 in Year One, 11 in Year Two, 10 in Year Three, 12 in Year Four, 4 in Year Five, and 9 in Year Six.