Why are more non-chinese parents choosing chinese schools in Malaysia?

SJKC in Perlis sees no Chinese student enrollment in Year One. on the first day of the 2025-2026 school session, which began today. Instead, the school welcomed 23 new students, all of whom were of Malay and Siamese descent - reported New Straits Times on February 17, 2025.

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In recent years, many non-Chinese parents across Malaysia have started enrolling their children in SJK(C) (Chinese national-type) schools — a trend that might surprise some. But if you’ve ever considered it yourself, you’re not alone.

At Agmo Junior, we work with hundreds of parents from all walks of life. And this question comes up a lot: 

“Should I send my child to a Chinese school even if we don’t speak the language at home?”

Let’s explore why so many families are answering YES— and what this means for your child’s future.

1. Strong Academic Standards

Chinese schools are well known for their rigorous academic curriculum, especially in subjects like Mathematics and Science. Many parents appreciate the structured environment, where students are held to high expectations and develop strong discipline early on.

Parents who value results and structured learning often feel Chinese schools offer a more academically competitive environment than SK schools. Aside from that, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of SJKCs have been known to invest funds to increase the exposure to skills outside of their academic curriculum such as technology, arts & craft.

2. Early Exposure to Mandarin

Even if your family doesn’t speak Mandarin at home, learning it from young is a huge advantage. China’s global influence continues to grow — and being multilingual (especially in English, Malay, and Mandarin) opens doors in business, tech, and beyond.

Many parents see this as an investment in their child’s future employability and communication skills.

3. Dedicated Teachers & Involved School Community

Chinese schools often benefit from strong community support. Parents’ associations are active, teachers are often deeply committed, and the culture encourages hard work and humility.

The environment fosters teamwork, mutual respect, and a strong sense of discipline among students.

4. High Expectations = Resilience

With stricter standards comes a resilient mindset. Many students who come from Chinese schools grow up being used to pressure, problem-solving, and a high-performance environment.

Parents who want to toughen up their child’s study habits or focus often find this setting beneficial — as long as it's balanced with emotional support.

5. Diverse Exposure

It may seem counterintuitive, but sending your child to a Chinese school can actually broaden their cultural understanding. With more multiracial enrolments, kids learn to appreciate diversity in a setting that was traditionally homogenous.

Plus, they gain a sense of adaptability — learning to navigate different languages and social settings with confidence.

It's no walk in the park for non-chinese parents choosing to enroll their kids in chinese schools. What are the challenges?

• Language barrier for parents during teacher communication

• Heavy homework load, especially in early years

• Non-Mandarin-speaking kids may need additional support to catch up

• Tuition fees may be needed to supplement learning (eg. extra curricular activities)

That said, many parents overcome these hurdles with the help of tutors, school apps, and active involvement in their child’s learning.

Choosing a school isn’t just about academics — it’s about the overall growth and future of your child.

At Agmo Junior, we believe 21st-century skills like coding, problem-solving, and creative thinking should complement traditional academics. That’s why many of our students from Chinese schools thrive in our tech-based programs — they already have strong discipline, and we help channel that into future-ready skills like AI, electronics, and robotics.

Whether you choose Chinese school or not, remember this: what happens outside the classroom matters just as much. Especially in a world where tech is the new language of success.

Want to future-proof your child’s education? Reach out to us.

Explore our 32-week tech journey across programming, electronics & AI. Let’s prepare your child for more than just exams — let’s prepare them for life.