KUCHING: Smart classrooms are expected to be set up at the Aided Chinese Primary Schools (SJK Chung Hua) in the state, with one of the focus on assisting non-Chinese students to pick up a language which is not their mother tongue.
The Association of the Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools in Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions president Datuk Jonathan Chai said the association is looking at the potential establishment of the smart classrooms and it would be done in stages across the state.
“Our association has been actively collaborating with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to address the challenges faced by non-Chinese students and their families while studying at SJK Chung Hua.
“Over the past few years, Unimas has deployed a research team to conduct on-site studies and research, aiming to propose effective strategies to assist these students in grasping or mastering a language that is not their mother tongue.
“In the last meeting of the Special Unit for Chinese Schools, chaired by Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and attended by Deputy State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdullah Muhammad Zaidel, discussions revolved around the potential establishment of smart classrooms at the SJK Chung Hua in Sarawak,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
Chai said the endeavour aims to leverage modern technologies and devices to enhance teaching competency among educators and improve the learning effectiveness of students.
“On a related note, there is growing enrolment of non-Chinese students at SJK Chung Hua in Sarawak, it accounts for more 36 per cent of the student population,” he said.
He added this presents an opportunity for the institution to evolve into a more inclusive community.
“SJK Chung Hua looks more like a community school and such racial diversity is beneficial in strengthening racial integration in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, as of last year, there are 223 Chinese primary schools (national and aided) across Sarawak, with a total of 60,000 students.
