According to the United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong), the number of pupils enrolled in SJK(C)s fell by 26,526 last year from a total of 490,514 in 2024. In a report titled ‘Issues Facing Chinese Vernacular Schools’, Jiao Zong pointed out that of the 1,303 schools nationwide, half had fewer than 150 pupils and 13 of these schools had fewer than 10 pupils. However, the enrolment of non-Chinese pupils in SJK(C)s saw an increase, with the educationist group estimating that they make up 20% of the pupil population. The group also pointed out that a more diverse student body also meant that pupils from non-Mandarin-speaking families could face challenges learning in Chinese verna­cular schools. “Teachers must make extra efforts to ensure that non-Chinese pupils can keep up academically and adapt to the learning environment,” it said.

Source: The Star January 20, 2026 00:32 UTC