Ample education opportunities

KAMPAR: The MCA has drawn up a holistic approach for education – ranging from pre-school to tertiary level – to ensure the Chinese community obtain the best opportunities.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said this was because education was the key towards retaining the strength and competitive edge of the community.

“The Chinese community is a strong and independent lot. This is why the MCA has developed several strategies in the field of education to ensure they stay that way,” he said during the Kampar MCA division 58th anniversary dinner on Wednesday.

The strategies, added Ong, were addition, relocation and expansion.

“We have moved towards building more Chinese schools, relocating those that are under-enrolled and expanding some to provide better facilities,” he said.

Joyous occasion: Ong (centre), Perak MCA chairman Datuk Ong Ka Chuan (second from right), Kampar MCA division chief Datuk Lee Chee Leong (third from right) and other MCA members cutting the division’s anniversary cake on Wednesday.

Ong added that the MCA, through Institut Kojadi, also provided opportunities for early school leavers in skills training.

“These early leavers can develop their skills, from sewing to mechanics and even cooking,” he said.

For entrance into local universities, the MCA had successfully helped 78% of Chinese students to obtain places, he said.

“A large percentage of them have also gotten PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund) loans,” he said.

Ong said MCA’s Lifelong Learning Campaign also promoted the importance of educating mature students.

He urged the Chinese community to ensure the MCA’s political strength was retained so that the rights of the community could be protected.