Statement Released by Dong Zong

June 8, 2018

Dong Zong Urges the MOE to Re-configurate Free Computer Classes for

Chinese Primary Schools

Dong Zong, in response to the directive enacted by the School Management Division of the MOE dated 17 April 2018 informing all primary schools to proceed relevant charged computer classes in the form of cocurricular activity rather than formal classes, herewith releases its stance proper.

1. The said document forwarded by the MOE clearly stated that it is against the relevant directive and guidelines to charge students on attending the mentioned computer classes during the curricular period. Dong Zong understands that Malaysia practices compulsory education for vernacular schools of all sorts and supports the MOE’s decision to disapprove additionally charged computer classes to be scheduled during the curricular span.

2. Dong Zong reiterates, primary education is part of compulsory education, thus all classes scheduled within the curricular span should not be additionally charged; likewise, curriculum standards and teachers for students need to be provided by the MOE rather than private enterprises. Moreover, since curricular classes are within compulsory education, students should not be compelled to pay to learn additional subjects out of schedule. The acts of scheduling additionally charged Computer classes within the curricular span and requesting those who do not join to self-revise in the library or general classroom are both against curricular regulation and unjust towards students. If any additionally charged Computer class were to be scheduled, it should not be scheduled within the curricular span, and it needed to be elective as of co-curricular classes.

3. We believe, it is the government’s responsibility to nurture Computer literacy and thus we urge the government to re-configur computer education, such as to provide free Computer class as a curricular subject taught in Chinese, let alone the provision of curriculum standards, learning materials, teachers, facilities and maintenance.

4. Likewise, the MOE needs to rectify unfair treatment towards national-type Chinese primary schools and equally implements STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and the application of ICT in teaching, learning and school management system in all vernacular schools. We also wish the MOE could eventually improve the learning outcome of relevant subjects through sufficient provision of ICT hardware for computers, ICT classrooms, teachers, learning materials, computerised administrative system and technical support.

5. Dong Zong beseeches the Minister of Education Dr Maszlee to execute his prowess and engage the will of the parents thus to postpone the implementation of the directive promulgated on April 17 so that a respite is given for the relevant schools to settle the Computer class issue properly.