Chinese Education, and Me: A Talk

Reported by:
Ng Yi Phin JR1Z(3)

      As Kuen Cheng High School’s students, let’s ask ourselves, what do we, Chinese students, actually understand about Chinese education over the years? What connection exactly do we have with the 20th century’s Chinese education? Therefore, Kuen Cheng High Schools’ Mandarin Society organised a talk titled “Me, in the 21st Century, and 20th Century Chinese Education” on 25th September, from 1p.m. to 3p.m.. The speakers were Mr Tan Jia Jiet from SJK (C) Batang Kali, Selangor and Mr Bock Tai Hee, one of the fighters for the Chinese education movement in Malaysia.

      First, the emcee, Ms Ng Ching Ru started by talking about the flow of the talk and small reminders. She also introduced the two speakers. 

      The first to give the talk was Mr Tan. However, due to an unexpected internet connection problem, Mr Bock first gave a few words to the participants. He gained everyone’s attention by asking a few questions including: Why is Kuen Cheng High School a private secondary school? What does “private school” mean? Next, he said he was very excited as it was his first time giving a speech to our senior students. All the participants were also intrigued by his humorous personality.

Talk by Mr Tan Jia Jiet

Talk by Mr Tan

      Luckily, Mr Tan was back after a while. His talk’s title was: One Student, One Chinese School. 

      “How would you feel if you were the only student in school?” This is the shocking truth of the now-closed SJK(C) Bukit Fraser, located at Fraser’s Hill in Pahang, with the only student being Thomas after his brother left the school. Most people might think that this would be great because you will always be number one in exams, and you will win every school competition held. But, have you ever thought about eating in the school canteen all alone, with no friends to talk to? Have you ever thought about having a lot of stress on exams as the whole school’s exam performance depends on you? 

      Being the only student in school can bring several consequences, such as not having good social skills, having to carry out all the jobs such as cleaning the classroom with nobody to help, causing shyness around other people, having to spend recess alone and others. Next, Mr Tan showed a video of a speech by Thomas about his life as the only student in school. 

Video of Thomas’s speech

      Next, he talked about one of the problems he will face on his way to school. As the school is located on Fraser’s Hill, going to school is very hard, especially if trees have fallen down onto the road, he will have to move them himself. After that, he thanked Mr Bock for encouraging him during some tough times so that he continued teaching at the school until the last batch of graduates. Lastly, he talked about the consequences of SKMs (Sekolah Kurang Murid) and his view on SKMs. 

Talk by Mr Bock Tai Hee

      Mr Bock stated that Chinese schools have thrived only because the Chinese community has helped tremendously. Therefore, we should be grateful. He also said that we should learn from good teachers who sacrifice themselves no matter the time, money, and strength for their students’ education. 

Mr Bock

      He said that in the past, Kuen Cheng students are specially known for being good for examination, but not for increasing their knowledge which are not in the syllabus, such as Chinese classics like “Water Margin”, “Journey to the West” and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”. However, thanks to our current Principal, Madam Chua Lee Lee who thinks learning Chinese well is important and a responsibility being our mother tongue, students have improved tremendously on it.  

      After that, he introduced three of his late friends who sacrificed everything just for Chinese private schools, which were Mr Lee, Mr Wong and Mr Zhang. 

      All six of Mr Wong’s children studied at Chinese private schools even though he may not be able to afford it. Once, his house burned down, but he never stopped providing money for Chinese schools to the extent that he had to borrow RM500 from his relatives. Mr Zhang had a lot of illnesses, but he said to Mr Bock that even though he may not live any longer, he still wants to help Chinese schools. His everyday lunch contained only two potatoes. 

Mr Bock and Mr Zhang in a photo taken at Old Klang Road

Song by Mr Bock

      After the Q&A session, Mr Bock presented a song about one of the greatest fighters for chinese education, Mr Lim Lian Geok, before the group photo was taken. Overall, the activity was a success, thanks to everybody’s participation and coordination. It is important for us to learn more about the history of Chinese education.

Group photo