KUCHING: School permits of Chinese primary schools in Sarawak are to meet local demand first, says Datuk Jonathan Chai Voon Tok, president of the Sarawak United Association of Chinese Primary School Boards of Management.

Relocation of Chinese primary schools would take into consideration local demand and local community first, he said this to clarify the transfer of school permits of closed Sarawak Chinese primary schools to West Malaysia.

“If there is local need for a Chinese primary school in Sarawak, then the permit of a closed Chinese primary school would not be transferred to West Malaysia.

“This clarification is to avoid misunderstanding that we are transferring closed Chinese primary school permits, which are regarded as limited resources, out of Sarawak,” he said.

Some Chinese education activists raised their concerns following a news report on the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) Chairman Datuk Tan Yew Sing, who said Sarawak Dong Zong had agreed to transfer the permits of closed Chinese primary schools in the state to West Malaysia.

Chai said during Tan’s visit to Sarawak on August 21, honorary chairman of Sarawak Dong Zong Datuk Pau Chiong Ung said six Chinese primary schools in Sibu and central zone of Sarawak were closed in the 70s and 80s due to insufficient number of pupils.

The six schools were not able to relocate due to some constraints at that time, Chai continued.

“Sarawak Dong Zong is more than happy if the Dong Zong chairman is able to reactivate those school permits through appropriate channels with the federal government.

“However, we hope the Sarawak Chinese community does not think that Sarawak Dong Zong has disregarded the local demand and allow the transfer of school permits from Sarawak to West Malaysia,” he said.

Based on a report compiled by Dong Zong in June 2022, Sarawak had 21 Chinese primary schools with fewer than 30 pupils, Kedah had 12, Johor 21 and Perak 25.

There were 100 underpopulated schools throughout the country.

“Since Dong Zong is serious about this matter, I am of the view that Dong Zong should work out a written policy with the Ministry of Education and the federal government to ensure that the school permits are retained indefinitely if the schools are closed due to insufficient number of pupils,” he said.