Not enough Chinese schools to meet growing enrolment

Tuesday May 27, 2008

THE pupil enrolment in Chinese primary schools has increased rapidly over the years but not the number of schools, Sin Chew Daily and China Press reported.

Sin Chew Daily, quoting a report by Jiao Zong (the United Chinese School Teachers Association) yesterday, said although there was an increase in the number of Chinese primary schools between 2000 and 2008, it was still unable to resolve the problem of overcrowding.

In 2000, it said, there were 1,284 Chinese primary schools and only six new schools were built eight years later to cater to the increasing number of pupils.

It added that of the total number of Chinese primary schools, 1,149 were built before 1956.

The report further noted that there were 18 Chinese primary schools, which had an enrolment of more than 3,000 pupils per school.

“This will definitely result in a learning environment that is not conducive for both teachers and pupils,” the daily said, adding that most of the schools were located in Selangor and Johor.