Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong (DJZ) has described the National Education Blueprint as homogenous and unfavourable to vernacular schools.

To correct this, DJZ, also known as the United School Committees Association, wants more funds allocated for the construction of Chinese and Tamil schools.

DJZ also wants greater transparency in the disbursement of funds, in particular to Malay-medium schools, according to its 31-page report released today

The report, which took five months to complete, was in response to a call for feedback on the blueprint by the education ministry early this year.

The blueprint will set the direction on education policy under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010).

DJZ president Yap Sin Tian said the blueprint "continues to ignore vernacular schools" while emphasising national schools.

"Malay-medium schools are still the main priority of this blueprint. This is very narrow minded of the government," he told a press conference at the DJZ office in Kajang today.

He expressed worry that Chinese and Tamil languages have been added as subjects in Malay- medium schools.

"It's as though there is a move by the government to prioritise Malay-medium schools and phase out vernacular schools," he said.

DJZ proposals

The DJZ proposals include listing subsidies for all schools, a call for more equitable land distribution for the construction of schools, more open discussions with the authorities and allocation of RM1 billion for the construction of 100 Chinese primary schools nationwide.

The report, written by 20 teachers and academicians, will be forwarded to the ministry this week. A copy will be sent to all political parties and Chinese associations.

Yap added that DJZ does not rule out a meeting with Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) president Ong Chiew Chuen said the blueprint should provide for mother-tongue education for all ethnic groups.

He also said the ministry should initiate open dialogues with associations.

"The blueprint has not developed much over the past five decades. The main focus is still the same (on Malay-medium schools) while neglecting the needs of communities (whose mother tongue is not Bahasa Malaysia)."

From 1970-2006, DJZ estimated that the country saw an increase of 2,900 national schools. A total of 193 vernacular schools - 58 Chinese schools and 134 Tamil - were closed for various reasons.

DJZ insisted that there is demand for 134 Chinese schools nationwide. Currently, there are 1,810 vernacular schools, 205 of which are run without government aid.

DJZ alleged that the government has spent more money on national schools and has marginalised vernacular schools.