Over the past two years, my research has focused on the sustainable development of Chinese education, encompassing teaching and learning activities in 1,301 Chinese elementary schools, 62 Chinese independent secondary schools, and 3 Chinese private universities in Malaysia that use the Chinese language as the medium of instruction. My four-month research paper at CSEAS aims to reflect on the development of Malaysian Chinese elementary schools during the past decade, explore their challenges, and provide actionable recommendations for their sustainable development. It also seeks to provide valuable insights and lessons for the sustainable development of Chinese education in other Southeast Asian countries.

Malaysian Chinese education has undergone continuous refinement throughout different eras, nurturing generations of talented individuals for the country’s society, while also transmitting and disseminating Chinese culture and accumulating solid educational outcomes. These outcomes are closely related to the overall development trend of the system. Specifically, Chinese education in Malaysia serves to promote exchange among diverse ethnic groups and demonstrate the values of “harmony” and “compatibility” inherent in Chinese culture. It also strengthens national consciousness, common values, and a multicultural outlook, based on Chinese identity, value identity, and cultural identity.

The system is complete, spanning from elementary to university level, and has continuously improved through the promotion of effective curriculum, teaching, and evaluation systems at different levels. Stratification and classification within the system have also deepened, furthering progress towards new era education.

Localized and standardized curriculum and control systems are major achievements in terms of educational resources. Such standards regulate educational activities for Chinese primary schools within the national education system, independent secondary schools led by Chinese educational institutions, and Chinese universities controlled by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). All these systems are based on national goals of human development.

Chinese media, education, associations, and enterprises are essential parts of the Chinese community, and their destinies are intertwined. Chinese elementary schools are critical for the development and survival of Chinese education in Malaysia. Therefore, their development is a pressing concern within the community.

This study explores the current situation of Chinese elementary schools in terms of orientation, current status, curriculum development, and teaching evaluation. It identifies developmental issues and provides actionable recommendations for their sustainable development based on the overall development of Chinese education in Malaysia. It is hoped that this study will serve as a reference for the sustainable development of Chinese elementary schools.

I generally take the following steps.

Organize ideas: I use an outline, mind map, or other tool to seamlessly integrate ideas and findings into a clear roadmap.

Establish realistic goals and deadlines: I break down tasks into manageable parts and set practical goals and deadlines for each part. This helps me stay motivated and focused, and ensures steady progress toward the end goal.

Seek feedback: I share my work with peers or colleagues and ask for feedback. This helps me identify weaknesses in my arguments or presentations and provides valuable suggestions for improvement.

Edit and revise: After drafting, I take the time to carefully edit and revise my work. I look for inconsistencies, errors, and redundancies, and make my writing as clear and concise as possible.

Take breaks: Researching and writing can be exhausting, so I make sure to rest and recharge. I take walks, read books, or do other activities to stay alert and focused.

In summary, to successfully integrate research findings into a research paper or book, I remain patient, persistent, and methodical. By creating a clear plan, setting realistic goals, seeking feedback, and revising my work, I can gradually overcome difficulties and achieve my goals.

As a scholar, I hope to make substantial contributions to the Malaysian community through my research and educational work. I aim to become a professional in the field of Chinese education by conducting in-depth impactful research and publishing my findings in more academic journals. In addition to research, I would like to become an excellent educator who can inspire students’ potential through teaching and actively train future teachers. My vision is to become an influential scholar and educator who will make substantial contributions to society and help more young people become teachers of a new era, who can help move society forward.

(March 2023)