PETALING JAYA: Clear and transparent guidelines should be made public to allow vernacular schools, particularly Chinese primary and national-type secondary schools, to rent out their halls for community events and private functions in a culturally sensitive manner, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon (pic).
The MCA secretary-general said many Chinese schools regularly rent out their halls for weddings, association meetings and community gatherings, adding that such activities have long helped sustain these schools.
“There should be clear rules to guide such activities so that they can continue to operate freely in line with cultural norms,” he said when contacted.
Chong noted that there are about 890 government-aided Chinese primary schools and 81 national-type secondary schools nationwide, many of which already struggle to maintain facilities and fund activities.
“For generations, the Chinese community has upheld a spirit of self-reliance by raising its own funds to support education. Renting out school halls for weddings, alumni gatherings, charity events, and community functions has long been a key source of income,” he said.
He added that every ringgit earned was channelled back into education to improve classrooms, repair school buildings, buy equipment, support student activities, and enhance teacher training.
“This model of supporting education through community effort reflects our sense of responsibility and commitment to the nation’s education system,” he said.
Several vernacular school principals contacted agreed there were no current restrictions on renting out school halls, and supported Chong’s call for a clear circular to prevent confusion and ensure consistent application of rules.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has decided that events held in school halls will continue to follow the Education Ministry’s existing guidelines on the serving of alcohol, with no new rules to be introduced.
Government spokesperson and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said this during his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday.
“The Cabinet has decided that there will be no changes to the current guidelines set by the Education Ministry on the serving of alcoholic drinks. The ministry will issue a statement on the matter.
“As for Chinese schools, some are fully funded by the government while others are not. Some have community halls managed by school boards or funded by private benefactors. The Education Ministry is aware of this, which is why the existing guidelines for events held in community halls will continue to apply,” he said.
