MALAYSIA - MORE students will be enrolling in Chinese independent schools next year as the Chinese language gains global importance, reported Sin Chew Daily.

United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) deputy chairman Chow Siew Hon made the statement according to the current enrolment at the schools.

However, he has yet to get the statistic on the total figure of students for next year.

Chow said the multi-concept teaching system and excellent performance of the previous students have made parents recognise the standard of these schools.

This year, there were nearly 60,000 students studying at 60 Chinese independent schools in the country, he said, adding that this was 5,000 more than last year.

He said the Chung Hwa and Kuen Cheng independent schools in Kuala Lumpur have each rejected more than 300 students for the new school year due to limited places.

So far, more than 1,300 youngsters have applied to study at Chung Hwa Independent School in Kuala Lumpur but it can only take about 1,000 students.

The Chung Hwa Independent School in Klang has accepted 250 new students for next year, 100 more than this year.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the principal of the original SJK (C) Damansara in Petaling Jaya will be announced next month.

He said the ministry was now dealing with issues on the reopening of the Chinese primary school in Section 17.

"We have a candidate in mind. Don't worry, we will make an announcement in December," he said.

The school has 103 students so far. The Government closed the school seven years ago because of traffic congestion. The move was criticised by parents and Chinese education groups.