MELAKA: The enrolment of Malay pupils at SJK(C) Simpang Bekoh in Jasin ensures that the vernacular school continue to thrive, says Melaka Deputy Legislative Speaker Datuk Wong Fort Pin.

He said the school which is located close to the border of Melaka and Johor has been facing low enrolment for some time due to its proximity to other vernacular educational institutions in Tangkak, Johor and Asahan here.

"However, the kampung folk help to ensure the school survives without being hit by low enrolment," he said in an interview here on Friday (Jan 3).

Dr Wong, who oversees the needs of vernacular schools in Jasin, said 70% of the 23 pupils registered as Year One pupils for the 2020 schooling session were Malays.

He said like previous years, majority of the pupils of the school were also Malays.

Dr Wong noted that 397 out of 1,872 pupils in Year One in 65 Chinese schools in Melaka this year, were also Malays.

Dr Wong said Jasin has also six Tamil schools that had remarkable number of high-achievers in the UPSR exams as well as in various competitions.

"For instance, SJK(T) Jasin Lalang also saw a significant increase in enrolments, this year despite the new school building is only expected to be constructed by mid-2020 after a long hiatus.

"The reason for higher enrolment was due to excellent achievements of the Tamil schools in Jasin," he said.

Dr Wong said Jasin is also unique as many Malays and Indians converse fluently in Mandarin.

"I am sure this uniqueness is due to the existence of vernacular schools in the district," he added.

Meanwhile, SJK(C) Kuang Yah in Teluk Mas here also continue to thrive due the kampung folk.

Headmistress Swee Chin Mei said the school saw 12 pupils registered for Year One, adding that eight of them are Malays.

The school at sub-urban Telok Mas here was built in 1922 during the British era.

Swee said with a small number of pupils, her teachers could focus on moulding the high-achievers by continuing to be among the top schools in the state.

Swee added the school has the best infrastructure and equipment but lacked the number of pupils.