Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim has asked the board of governors of national type Chinese schools with fewer than 10 pupils to submit their relocation or merger proposals to his ministry.

On Jan 20, Hon was quoted as saying that 13 of 15 national type Chinese schools with fewer than 10 pupils had agreed to be relocated or merged with other schools.

Concerns raised

Chinese primary 'micro' schools has been in the news in recent weeks because of concerns raised that they would be closed.

But Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak son brushed aside such fears declaring that the government has no intention to close any Chinese primary school, including those with fewer than 10 pupils. He also warned those exploiting the issue for political mileage.

"Education is a very sensitive issue to the Chinese community... I hope no one misuses this issue or misinterprets the government's intentions in order to politicise the situation," he said.

On Jan 9, Education Minister Musa Mohamad was also reported by the Chinese press as saying that schools with fewer than 10 pupils would either be closed or relocated.

However, the next day, he said that his statements had been misinterpreted.