Kuala Lumpur: Education Minister Radzi Jidin has revealed that enrolment of the Malay and Indian students in the Chinese vernacular have increased this year compared to 2019.
Replying to a question in parliament regarding students’ interest in Chinese education in Malaysia, he said at 15.33 percent of Malay students have shown their interest in Chinese education this year, increasing from 9.15 percent in 2010.
The data was revealed days after the Muhyiddin Yassin-led PN government announced a big cut in budget allocation towards Chinese education.
Minister also said in a statement that interest in Chinese education has also increased in Indian and students of other communities compared to last year. The data show that enrolment in Chinese vernacular increased by 2.75 percent in Indian and 1.67 percent in other races.
It further added that enrolment in national schools of Chinese and Indian students slightly decreased over the past 10 years.
Meanwhile, with 99 percent of Indian students, Tamil schools in Malaysia have less than 1 percent from other communities.