(From third left) Swee Nguong, Hieng Wuong, Vincent, Tiong and others at the dinner marking the 51st anniversary of SM Wong Nai Siong.

SIBU: The Sarawak government is supportive of Chinese education as evidenced by the increasing amount of financial allocations to Chinese schools, said SM Wong Nai Siong board of management chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau.

“The late chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem provided a grant of RM3 million in 2014, and the amount has been increased to RM7 million by his successor Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari (Tun Openg).

“The allocation is for the 14 Chinese independent schools in the state,” he disclosed.

He added that the Sarawak government now recognises the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

Lau was speaking when officiating at a dinner marking the 51st anniversary of SM Wong Nai Siong on Sunday.

The night’s programme included a singing competition for primary and secondary schools here.

Describing Chinese education as unique in its own right, Lau said it stresses on the learning of Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese as a holistic approach to education.

“It has its own examination system,” he pointed out.

On SM Wong Nai Siong, Lau said the school was established in 1967 as a Chinese independent school and has survived through thick and thin over half a century with the support and commitment of the Chinese community.

“Over the past 10 years, our school has upgraded its software as well as hardware.

“We also emphasise moral education,” he said.

Thanking non-governmental organisations for their continual support to the school, Lau singled out Sibu Foochow Association and Ming Chiang Tunhion Huay (association) for special mention, saying: “These two associations have given us monetary contributions totalling RM210,000.”

Also present at the function held at a hotel here were SM Wong Nai Siong management board honorary chairman Lau Swee Nguong, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Foochow Association chairman Ying Sing Chai and the dinner organising chairman Kapitan Lau Hieng Wuong.