http://dapmalaysia.org  

International mother language day: Time for a New Deal for Mother Tongue Education Media Statement by Kerk Kim Hock (Petaling Jaya, Friday): February 21 will be the International Mother Language Day, first observed by the UNESCO and its member states three years ago. In his message in conjunction with last year’s celebration, the UNESCO Director General, Koichiro Matchirro said that each language is a unique response to the human condition and each is a living heritage we should cherish. As it is not only important for a multi racial nation like Malaysia to promote linguistic diversity, the mother tongue education which has made tremendous contribution to the nation’s development should be accorded the right to fair and equitable development. It is an undeniable fact, despite government leaders’ verbal assurances with regard to the status of the Chinese primary schools, the Chinese educational organisations have called for amendments to the 1996 Education Act so as to provide better and clearer legislative safeguard. and guarantees. They have also persistently shown their worry about the “ ultimate objective “ of the national education philosophy. Chinese schools have also faced longstanding problems of shortage of schools and lack of trained teachers. Hence, I call on the Cabinet, in conjunction with the International Mother Language Day on February 21, to accord equal and just treatment to all types of schools in the nation by proclaiming new mother tongue language policies which will see the implementation of clear legislation, just policies and fair measures to affirm their status and right to fair and equitable development. As a start, the Cabinet, should be prepared to implement the following policies: 1.Allow building of Chinese primary schools according to the population need 2. Allocate development expenditure to all schools according to the student enrolment 3. Solve the problem of teacher shortage 4. Approve building of new or reestablishment of previous Chinese independent schools 5. Approve regular allocations to assist the Chinese independent schools 6. Recognize the United Examinations Examination Certificate of Chinese independent schools (14/2/2003) * Kerk Kim Hock, DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka