Yiew (middle) with Eng (eighth left), Tai (ninth left), Chee (eighth right) ,and Oliver (seventh left) in a group photo at the launching of the Chinese Education Fund Raising..
KOTA KINABALU: A major fundraising campaign aiming to raise RM500,000 to support Chinese education in Sabah was officially launched by Special Officer to the Chief Minister Yee Tsai Yiew at SJKC Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu here today.
The campaign, which runs from May 16 to July 15, 2025, is a collaborative initiative by three prominent educational organisations: the Sabah SJKC Principals Association, the Sabah Chinese Schools Teachers Association and the Sabah Kota Kinabalu Retired Principals and Headmasters Association.
Funds raised through the campaign will provide essential financial support to sustain and expand high-quality educational programmes, further strengthening Chinese education across the state and nurturing future generations of talent.
“I hope that everyone will continue to uphold the spirit of supporting Chinese education and actively participate in this fundraising campaign,” said Yiew.
“Every donation, regardless of the amount, is a show of support for the continued growth of Chinese education in Sabah,” she added.
Currently, Sabah is home to 83 Chinese primary schools, with a combined enrolment of over 35,000 students.
Yiew expressed her gratitude to both the Federal and State Governmenta for their ongoing support of Chinese education.
She emphasised that Chinese schools have played an instrumental role in producing responsible citizens and contributing significantly to Malaysia’s development over the past century.
“The Chinese community has made long-standing, positive contributions to the growth and advancement of Malaysian education standards,” said Yiew.
She also highlighted the increasing diversity in Chinese primary schools, with many non-Chinese parents enrolling their children in these institutions due to the schools’ reputation for academic excellence. In some schools, Bumiputera students now make up more than 50 per cent of the student enrolment—a trend that continues to grow each year.
In conjunction with Teacher’s Day, also celebrated today, Yiew took the opportunity to extend her heartfelt appreciation to all educators across Sabah.
“Teachers are the guiding light for our future generations. Your tireless dedication and sacrifices inspire us all, and your efforts to educate and nurture our children are deeply valued,” she said.
Also present during the launch ceremony are Datuk Eng Thiam Leong, President of Sabah Chinese Schools Teachers Association, Tai Ngit Wen, President of Sabah SJKC Principals Association, Chee Chi Hiung, President of the Sabah Kota Kinabalu Retired Principals and Headmasters Association and Oliver Majaham, Api-Api Community Development Leader.
