Remembering the Contributions of School Founders: Over 70,000 in Scholarships Awarded by Miri Chinese Charity

(Miri, 10th) "As a member of the Chinese community, while we take pride in the achievements of Chinese education, we must not forget the selfless dedication and hard work of our school's founders and board members over the years."

Tuan Yang Terutama Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Chan Koon Nam, Chairman of the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Committee, made this statement during his speech at the 2024 Independent School Education Fund and Miri County Primary and Secondary School Chinese Aid Scholarship awarding ceremony. He highlighted that the history of Miri's independent schools is a testament to the local Chinese community's unity and persistence in Chinese education.

He recalled that in the 1950s, the colonial government's education system reforms meant that those who failed the Primary Six Assessment could not proceed to secondary school, leading to a high dropout rate among Chinese students. To address this issue, eight major local Chinese associations collectively initiated the establishment of Chinese independent schools, giving birth to Pei Min Middle School. However, as the school was far from Krokop Village, local students continued to face difficulties in attending school.

"Thus, a group of elders passionate about Chinese education in Krokop Village stepped forward again, overcoming numerous challenges to establish Krokop Middle School in the village. Both Pei Min and Krokop are true reflections of the deep affection of the Miri Chinese community towards Chinese education."

Dato' Sri Lee Kim Shin hands over the scholarship for underprivileged Chinese students to Miri Chinese Middle School.Yang Hui Sheng noted that today, both Pei Min Middle School and Krokop Middle School have transcended the hardships of their founding periods and have excellent performances in both academic achievements and extracurricular activities, earning societal recognition. He represented the committee in congratulating and affirming the two schools.

Discussing the source of scholarships and the education fund, he explained that the Miri Chinese Charitable Trust Committee's long-term support for the two independent schools' operating expenses began in 1994, when the vision team of the Miri United People's Party, led by the then Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak Tan Sri Dr. Chan Koon Nam, successfully appealed to the government for four shop lots, which were then handed over to the trust committee for management. Since 1996, the rent from these shop lots has been continuously used to support the operation funds and scholarship disbursements for Pei Min Middle School and Krokop Middle School, accumulating over 2 million Malaysian Ringgit to date.

"The previous generation plants the trees, and later generations enjoy the shade. We should not forget the contributions of our predecessors, and believe that both schools and students can make good use of this funding to continue the Chinese education spirit."

This year's scholarships were awarded to 133 students from 12 primary schools (each receiving 100 Malaysian Ringgit), totaling 13,300 Malaysian Ringgit; and 209 students from 14 secondary schools (each receiving 150 Malaysian Ringgit), totaling 31,350 Malaysian Ringgit. Additionally, the trust committee allocated 40,000 Malaysian Ringgit in education funds to two Miri Chinese independent schools, Pei Min Middle School and Krokop Middle School, each receiving 20,000 Malaysian Ringgit.

Dato' Sri Lee Kim Shin hands over the scholarship for underprivileged Chinese students to Miri National Middle School.