Dong Zong disappointed with MOE for maintaining fundraising rules

The United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) has expressed disappointment over the Education Ministry’s announcement yesterday to maintain the school fundraising guidelines.

In a video uploaded by the China Press, Dong Zong's chairperson Tan Yew Sin said that Dong Zong insists that Chinese schools continue raising funds in the same way as they have for the past 30 years.

"The Education Ministry’s directive has not changed, and we deeply regret this. Initially, the media reported that there seemed to be some explicit regulations.

"However, it seems that the directive has not changed, but its implementation will not affect Chinese and Tamil primary schools," Tan (above) told a press conference following the first central committee meeting after Dong Zong's re-election this afternoon.

Tan emphasised that unless the government is willing to provide sufficient funds to Chinese schools, they will continue to work with beer companies.

"If the Education Ministry says, 'You no longer need to raise funds, we will cover these costs for you,' I believe the Chinese community will applaud. We won't have to work so hard to raise funds, we can just stop doing it.

"Of course, this is impossible. Unless there is sufficient funding, it is unreasonable to ask us not to use this method (working with breweries) to raise funds," he said.

Legitimate businesses

Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it is retaining existing guidelines that ban schools from accepting contributions from the proceeds of alcohol, drugs, gambling, and similar activities deemed harmful to student development.

However, it said vernacular schools may still accept donations from the administrative board, as practised in the past.

Tan pointed out that in Chinese culture, alcohol is not considered a radical or prohibited drink.

"Of course, we do not promote excessive drinking, nor will we promote a drinking culture in schools. However, breweries are legitimate businesses, registered and recognised by the government, and they pay income taxes.

"They help the education sector from the perspective of corporate social responsibility without any conditions, and they do not demand that we promote drinking after receiving the money," Tan clarified.

Tan also said that beer companies do not directly donate money to schools but sponsor the equipment for charity performances and provide conveniences such as inviting celebrities to perform and raise funds.

"We accept this kind of sponsorship," said Tan. - Mkini