The MCA will push for Mandarin to be made a compulsory Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) paper for students in Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK).
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said making the subject compulsory was important because there should be a minimum level of language proficiency for those wishing to teach in Chinese schools.
He added that the boards of SMJK nationwide were unanimous in their decision to request that the language be made a compulsory subject.
Dr Chua, however, said there would be a shortage of Mandarin teachers to teach the subject.
The party has directed its Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, who is also Deputy Education Minister, to look into the matter.
Dr Chua hopes to see more students from independent Chinese schools joining teacher training colleges once the institutes begin accepting Unified Examination Certificate students.
He said this at a press conference after a meeting with representatives from the 78 SMJK school boards yesterday.
Dr Chua also urged the Education Ministry to look into reintroducing English Literature in schools to strengthen the command of English.
“Learning Science and Mathematics in English is good but as far as MCA is concerned, there is a need for literature to be reintroduced.”
On the criticism levelled against MCA's forum on hudud on Dec 4, Dr Chua said: “There is nothing wrong in educating my own members. We don't believe hudud will not affect the non-Muslims and we are holding this to educate them.”
He added that there were many educated people asking for more space for discussion.
“Why are they upset when we do a closed door forum? Does DAP or PAS have something to hide which makes them want to prevent MCA from holding its own forum within its own premises?” Dr Chua asked.
The forum will be held at Wisma MCA and is open to the public, although it is organised for party members.
