DONG Jiao Zong wants to meet with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who recently assumed the role of acting education minister, to discuss a range of issues affecting vernacular schools, said Tan Tai Kim. 

The Chinese education group’s president said he would write to the prime minister soon. 

“Any problems can be resolved through discussion, and meeting in person will leave a good impression,” he said at a fundraising event in Kajang today to build a Chinese education complex. 

The group has been leading the resistance to the Education Ministry’s effort to teach the Jawi script in vernacular schools. 

It had said the decision to teach the script should be in the hands of the Chinese school boards and not the parent-teacher association, as ruled by the Education Ministry. 

Tan said he hoped Dr Mahathir will not be stuck to his old ways, while adding that the education portfolio is an important one to handle and requires a lot reforms. 

“Don’t stick to old ideas, listen to public opinion, and more importantly honour the promises made in the election manifesto,” he said. 

He also raised concerns that Dr Mahathir might revisit old policies such as teaching science and mathematics in English and vision schools.

On the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate, Tan said, “We look forward to it”. 

Dr Mahathir announced yesterday that he will be taking on the role after former education minister Maszlee Malik’s resignation came into force on January 3. – January 11, 2020.