YOURSAY | 'I'll reserve my praise until I see all 10 schools built, operating and staffed.'

Putrajaya greenlights 10 new Chinese schools

Daniel: Putrajaya has given the green-light for the establishment of 10 new Chinese primary schools, while six existing schools with low enrolments will be relocated.

Firstly, has the government allocated a significant amount to establish these schools? Or will the Chinese community be required to raise their own funds substantially, before these schools can materialise?

Other than Kuek Ho Yao, Sim Mo Yu and Tan Kah Kee, who contributed immensely to Chinese education and the setting up of Chinese schools, what connection do the other personalities have with education, specifically Chinese schools?

Most of the famous Chinese schools in Malaysia are named after various aspirations and virtues, which can set the schools and their students in the direction of good values and character.

Politicians' names are not the best choices as we know they are no saints and we all know that this is ultimately a political bribe before the 14th general election.

The government should commit to funding these schools and make that into an irrevocable contract. You may sound more believable; and until then, hell, no to you.

Thickskin: This is at least 15 years too late. If only Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had made this announcement when he became prime minister, it would have helped in retaining the Chinese vote.

Now this announcement will only anger the Chinese community and strengthen their resolve not to vote for BN. Why? Because it is not sincere and takes the Chinese for fools.

Ace: Will Chinese Malaysians be impressed by this throwing of some sweets and crumbs while the basic structure remains unchanged?

Hopeful123: Wow! Are elections just around the corner?

By the way, when will construction for these schools begin? After elections, for sure. Will the Chinese fall for this gimmick?

Remember the promise made to the Indians, with Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy being made deputy minister? It never fails to amuse Malaysians.

P Dev Anand Pillai: This is why it is known that the ethnic Chinese in Malaysia are the best negotiators. The Malay-majority government has finally relented to the constant requests for more Chinese language schools in the country.

The Chinese keep asking and finally, due to political reasons which the Malay-majority, Umno-led government knows too well, the Chinese have got what they wanted.

The Indians, led by the Tamil-majority MIC, Indian Progressive Front (IPF), People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) and a whole host of other minions, should do the same.

While it is a victory for the Chinese, the main aim of achieving a single school system has miserably failed.

The Malays, Chinese and the Indians will now be further entrenched in separate educational routes and only meet when they come to secondary school.

It will not help much in efforts to create a single school system and to unify us as Malaysians!

Anonymous#26191220: In a globalised hyper-competitive age, it is not about "demands" of Chinese wanting more Chinese schools; it is about providing quality education that readies the future generations to be productive.

Rocky: Kudos to MCA and Gerakan. We will vote for you maybe in GE15, when all the schools are up and running.

Anonymous 171940149691991: Everyone should read between the lines and do the math. Ten schools added and six to be "relocated", meaning either combined or closed.

So, only four new schools, not 10.

New Chinese schools: We've shown it can be done, says Wee

Amateur: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Wee Ka Siong said Putrajaya has broken the widespread belief that the number of Chinese schools cannot be increased.

As proof, he pointed to the greenlighting of 10 new Chinese primary schools and the relocation of six schools with low enrolment.

This is not as big a deal as many think. In 2008, just before the general election, BN announced that six Chinese primary schools would be built.

According to Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, the government only footed about 59.3 percent of the schools’ construction cost (RM32.2 million out of RM53.6 million for the six schools).

Out of the six schools, two became operational four and seven years later respectively (in 2012 and 2015). Three were operational eight years later (2016). One will begin operations next year.

The Chinese primary schools have been treated like children born out of wedlock.

The majority of the Chinese voters are able to differentiate sincerity from hypocrisy, which will be reflected in the results of the forthcoming general election.

Anonymous 28481505794958: I'll reserve my praise till I see all 10 schools built, operating and staffed with sufficient and appropriately trained teachers. MCA and its master are known to only talk nice.

Odysseus: Wee, the BN has been in the government for 60 years and today, you are telling the public that the government can increase the number of Chinese schools.

Did you realise that your party sits in the same cabinet that reduces the number of Chinese schools in Malaysia?

So, before you try to claim credit, please acknowledge that you have been an embarrassment to the Chinese community for claiming to be their champion.

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