Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email VERNACULAR schools with low enrolments in Negri Sembilan have been told to merge for the benefit of pupils.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said it was pointless to continue operating such schools as they could not get the best in terms of facilities or teachers.
“Let me make it clear first that this is my personal opinion. If you want the best for your children, you must be prepared to swallow your pride,” he said.
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The best: Mohamad presenting the best managed PTA award to Tunku Kurshiah College PTA committee member Dr Mohamad Sallehin Abu Bakar in Port Dickson.
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Citing an example, he said there were 15 Tamil schools in Jempol alone which had less than 100 pupils each.
“I personally feel that these should be reduced to five or six,” he said, adding that it was also difficult for the Education Ministry to send a complete set of teachers to such schools especially when there was a short-age.
However, he said, there were attempts from the Chinese community to merge and relocate schools with low enrolments.
Mohamad said there were instances where students from some vernacular schools were unable to read or write upon entering Form 1.
“This is happening and it is sad. Since these vernacular are feeder schools, they eventually affect the academic performance of the secondary schools they eventually go to,” he said, adding that he had conveyed this to representatives from political parties and associations in the state.
Mohamad was speaking to reporters after presenting prizes to schools with the best managed Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) in the state.
