A 'frank and honest' three-hour dialogue between Gerakan and Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong produced no significant results which could be used by both parties to better pursue Chinese education issues.

Dong Zong Chief Executive Officer Bock Tai Hee, who was present at the meet last night, said the Dong Jiao Zong clearly stated its stand over Chinese education issues during the meeting.

He said the Gerakan representatives also shared their views on the subject but both sides could not draw out any concrete or workable solutions agreeable to both.

"The Gerakan delegates listened to our views seriously without objections. However, they didn't promise to take action. They only promised to help us and will bring the matter to the Education Ministry," said Bock when contacted today.

Bock said that Dong Jiao Zong would also be having a similar dialogue with MCA but he said he was doubtful about the effectiveness of such dialogues as they excluded major policy maker Umno.

Dong Jiao Zong is the collective name of the United Chinese School Teachers' Association, Jiao

Zong, and United Chinese School Committees' Association, Dong Zong.

Four main areas

Special Assistant to the Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Tan Hock Sim, who was one of the Gerakan representatives, said both sides were sincere and honest during the dialogue.

"Although, no breakthrough in the Chinese education problems was made, the dialogue managed to deepen the understanding of both sides and a certain consensus were reached," he said.

He said after the Dong Jiao Zong me t with MCA and a consensus was reached among the three, the two members of the BN would bring the relevant issues it to the federal government.

At a press conference before the dialogue, Gerakan Deputy President Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Gerakan hoped to formulate viable steps through the discussion to solve Chinese education issues.

At the same press conference Dong Jiao Zong President Dr Yap Sin Thian said four Chinese

education issues would be brought up during the meeting.

They were the language switch to English for certain subjects in Chinese primary schools , the legitimacy and authority of the boards of directors for Chinese schools, the building of new Chinese primary schools and the re-opening of the SRJK(C) Damansara .

Reserve land for schools

Yap, meanwhile, said that Dong Jiao Zong's stand on the four matters were that:

- mathematics and science subjects in Chinese schools should be taught in the mother tongue and not English;

- the government should recognise the authority and legitimacy of the boards of directors of the Chinese schools as per under the 1996 Education Act;

- the government should implement a new system for the building of Chinese schools as well as reserve land for schools of different streams according to the demographics and demand of the various communities;

- and that the original SRJK(C) Damansara should be re-opened to fulfil the needs of the nearby community.

Among the15 Gerakan delegates led by Koh to the dialogue were Penang State Executive Councillor Dr. Toh Kin Woon, Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry Parliamentary Secretary of Ng Lip Yong and Health Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Lee Kah Choon.

Dong Jiao Zong sent 18 delegates led by Yap and Jiao Zong President Ong Chiow Chuen.