Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

September 16, 2018

Dong Zong and Jiao Zong are deeply concerned about the position of vernacular School Inspector and its possible eventual abolishment attributed to the latest released state Education Bureau administrative structure which leaves the power and status of School Inspector and Chinese Subject Inspector of national-type Chinese primary schools undefined.

1. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong reckon, notwithstanding the Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had pronounced in the reformed administration structure of state Education Bureau, the School Inspector and Chinese Subject Inspector of national-type Chinese primary schools would not be deleted, her comments could not eliminate doubts and worries of the Chinese community. It is noticed in the new administrative structure of the state Education Bureau, the words “Chinese Subject” are omitted from the existing “Chinese Subject Inspector” and it is instead re-termed as “Language Assistant Director” thus understood as “applicable for all languages”. On the other hand, the words “Chinese Primary Schools” are omitted from “Chinese Primary Schools School Inspector” and re-termed as “Primary School Assistant Director” thus “to be responsible for all vernacular schools”. Since the two positions are not defined precisely, viz., not clearly stated to be responsible for Chinese subject and Chinese primary schools only, it makes their power and status ambiguous and likely to generate deficiencies, or more perturbed, certain vernacular schools as well as subjects can be excluded unnoticeably.

2. We believe, due to the uniqueness of secondary school Chinese subject and Chinese primary schools, the person who assumes either “Chinese Subject Inspector” or “Chinese Primary Schools School Inspector” must meet specific requirements and qualifications, that is, to have a degree of command in the Chinese language. In this vein, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong earnestly urge the Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching to ensure the preservation of “Chinese Primary Schools School Inspector” (or Chinese Primary School Assistant Director) and “Chinese Subject Inspector” (or Chinese Subject Assistant Director) as well as assigning qualified persons for the said posts so that Chinese education in Chinese primary schools and national secondary schools are not affected.

3. Dong Zong and Jiao Zong understand all the state “Chinese Primary Schools School Inspector” and “Chinese Subject Inspector” are playing critical role in Chinese education. Take “Chinese Subject Inspector” for example, since the post was first launched in 2000 by the MOE nationwide, the Chinese classes scheduled in the national schools have been improved profusely. It not only helps in Chinese learning but is also proven the correct approach. In fact, more efforts are needed for better results. Likewise, in matter like Chinese primary schools’ development, more endeavour should be consolidated for gratifying results through the posting of teachers, appropriation, teaching and implementation of measures; and they need the coordination and concerted effort of School Inspector. Nonetheless, apart from being amenable towards the national education policy, Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools have their own operational characteristics and the existence of the Board of Directors is one of them. In fact, supervision from informed “School Inspector” is constantly sought on projects like “Charity Project”, nutritious meals and the dissemination of Chinese culture and values. That said, it is unwise to abolish these two posts or it can seriously affect the normal progress of Chinese education.

4. Dong Zong and Jiao zong reiterate, in the new administration structure of state Education Bureau, the preservation of the posts and status of “Chinese Primary Schools School Inspector” and “Chinese Subject Inspector” should be assured and a Division is expected to be established to handle all related affairs for the interests of Chinese primary schools and Secondary level Chinese subject in national schools. Due to the imminency and seriousness of the matter, Dong Zong and Jiao Zong had approached the Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching for a meeting to seek consensus and resolve the contentious matter for the advancement of Chinese education on this soil.