MCA Seeks Clarity on Chinese Language Periods After MoE U-Turn

MCA has asked the Education Ministry to say whether Chinese language periods in the second phase of primary school will also be restored, after the ministry reinstated 12 weekly Chinese lessons in Chinese primary schools (SJKC), the party’s secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said in a statement on Friday (Nov 6).

Chong described the decision to bring back the 12 weekly periods as a welcome development and a collective victory for SJKC pupils and vernacular education.

Questions on Chinese language periods

According to Chong, the ministry’s announcement left two key questions unanswered. MCA wants the Education Minister to clarify immediately whether the Chinese language periods for Phase 2 of primary education will be reinstated, and whether English language periods, which had also been reduced, will be restored.

He said parents, teachers and school administrators deserved definite answers rather than vague assurances or further delays.

MCA also called on the ministry to explain how the change will be implemented, including when the restored periods will take effect. Chong said these were policy matters that should not be left to individual schools or headteachers to sort out.

Pressure and the Melaka election

Chong said the reversal came after strong objections from educationists and SJKC parents, and amid the Melaka state election. In MCA’s view, this showed how public pressure and the ballot box could influence government decisions.

He said the federal government and the ministry had ultimately had to acknowledge public concerns and reconsider the cut in Chinese language periods.

MCA questions deputy minister’s earlier defence

Chong also questioned the earlier defence of the policy by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh of DAP, who had said headteachers could increase Chinese lessons on their own.

According to Chong, that explanation shifted responsibility from the ministry to schools, and the latest decision showed the matter was the ministry’s policy responsibility.

He said MCA would keep scrutinising the ministry until all outstanding questions were answered and mother-tongue education was fully safeguarded.

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