MCA will explain to its Barisan Nasional ally Umno why the Chinese community is sensitive to issues pertaining to mother tongue education.

MCA vice-president Fong Chan Onn said today the party felt that it needs to give a clearer picture to Umno on how Chinese schools have played a role in the development of the country.

"We want the other races in the country to have a better understanding on why Chinese education is very important and sensitive to the Chinese community," he added when contacted.

He said for the community, Chinese schools are not just a place for mother tongue education but also where the community's cultural heritage is maintained.

He added that MCA will continue fighting to preserve Chinese education in Malaysia. At present there are 1,286 Chinese primary schools in the country

Fong, who is also human resources minister, said the party will help the community in seeking government approval to have more Chinese schools built in accordance to the population demand.

He was responding to queries following his interview in Sin Chew Daily today.

In the interview, Fong said MCA wants to give a proper analysis to Umno on the importance of Chinese schools in nation building.

Deplorable condition

In another development, The Star today reported that MIC was seeking RM20 million annual allocation from the government to repair and upgrade rundown Tamils school in the country.

There are 180 Tamil schools in the country with many of them in deplorable conditions

MIC president S Samy Vellu said in the past no annual allocation was granted for Tamil schools while aid and contributions were offered as and when the need arose.

"If our request is met, we will be able to upgrade and repair the schools located in various states over the next 10 years," he added.

Education activist R Sivamani welcomed this move by MIC to develop the Tamil schools.

However, he cautioned that the annual allocation should also be used towards upgrading the academic standard in these schools.

The vernacular schools came under the spotlight recently when the government initially ruled that it will close down all schools that has fewer than 10 students. In all, about 15 Chinese primary schools and Tamil primary schools had such a low student population.

However, following protests from education groups as well as political pressure from parties in and out of the ruling coalition, the government decided that instead of closing down these schools, it will allocate funds to relocate or merge these schools.

Last week, the government announced that it was granting a special RM4 million allocation for seven Chinese primary schools and one Chinese-majority secondary school to help expedite their relocation.