DONG Jiao Zong and civil society groups aligned to it will be sending a memo to the Education Ministry demanding school boards have say in the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools, report Chinese dailies.

The Chinese educationist group’s president, Tan Tai Kim, said they are unhappy that school boards have not been listed as decision-makers in the teaching of Jawi in schools next year, despite five meetings with the ministry

Following the initial outcry over the teaching of Jawi or khat in vernacular schools, the ministry decided to make the introduction of khat optional upon the approval of parent-teacher associations (PTAs), parents and pupils.

However, it left out vernacular school boards as part of the decision-making process.

“Our joint meeting is to reiterate our stand. We do not waiver,” Tan was quoted as saying in new reports today following a meeting with groups in Kajang yesterday.

He said the group met with officials on five occasion since July but to date, it has yet to receive an answer.

Last August, following protests from Dong Zong and its allies, the ministry said vernacular schools will only teach Jawi at a basic level and with the consent of pupils and each school’s PTA.

“In the latest discussion, the cabinet has decided to keep the previous decision of last week so that the Jawi script introduction remains, but this will be implemented only if agreed upon by the PTAs, parents and pupils,” the ministry said in a statement. – November 25, 2019.