Vernacular educationists have questioned the basis of a proposal to convert partially-aided schools to fully assisted ones under the 9th Malaysia Plan, adding that there is not even a legal classification of such schools.

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein had said the move would be implemented if all parties concerned are agreeable to this.

United Chinese Committees Associations of Malaysia president Quek Suan Hiang said this should be implemented without any conditions being imposed.

"We would only accept the move if no change is made to administration of the schools and medium of instruction. We have to see what conditions are set," he said.

He also pointed out that, under the Education Act 1996, there is no difference between partial-aided and fully-aided schools - this classification has arisen as an administrative practice by the ministry.

"Although the classification is often attributed to the Education Act, it is actually not in the law. Therefore, the key issue is that all schools should receive a fair allocation of funds (for management and development)," Quek said.

Dong Jiao Zong - which represents the two main organisations for Chinese schools and teachers respectively - found in 1999 that more than half, or 924 of the 1,284 Chinese schools, were partially-aided.

These have strong backing and financial support from the Chinese community and are generally well run, even though only about 70 percent of them get some form of government aid.

'Unhealthy practice'

Malaysian Tamil Educational Research and Development Foundation (MTERDF) committee member K Arumugam also agreed that the ministry's classification has disadvantaged vernacular schools.

"This is an unhealthy practice which has nothing to do with the law," he said.

He said the classification has also become an excuse for the government "not to take care of vernacular schools".

"Whenever we ask for help to develop the schools, the ministry says it cannot do anything because the premises are on private land," he said.

Of the 527 Tamil schools in 1999, 376 were partial-aided. Most are in dilapidated condition , and lack even the most basic amenities like electricity supply, desks and chairs.

Hishammuddin had indicated last week that the partially-aided schools may be converted over the next 18 months, after MIC president S Samy Vellu submits a memorandum on the issue.

MTERDF chairperson M Manogaran said it would make no difference to these schools to be converted to fully-aided ones until attention is given to basic needs.

"In principle, all schools should be fully aided because Tamil schools are also part of the national education system," he said.

"But just look at the schools - we don't have sufficient trained teachers, proper buildings and other basic amenities."

Fully-aided schools are defined as those located on land belonging to the government, while partially-aided schools are on private land. The latter - mostly vernacular schools - receive limited funding, mainly for administration, but have to raise funds to maintain the premises or develop facilities.