Changing demography a challenge and lifeline for SJKCs
The changing student demography at Chinese national-type schools (SJKCs) in Malaysia is a lifeline for such institutions as student enrolments dwindle, but this also poses existential questions for the Chinese community in the country.
This is according to a paper by Singapore-based Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute published on Tuesday, where the think tank's visiting fellow James Chai presented findings based on a survey and data compiled from multiple sources.
The paper argued that while the student population in SJKCs are shrinking...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Zimbabwe sets lithium export ban
HARARE: Zimbabwe will ban exports of lithium concentrates from 2027 in hopes that mining companies start processing and refining the critical mineral locally, the government said. With the largest lithium reserves in Africa and exporting mainly to China, Zimbabwe is a key player in the global race to secure 'transition minerals' needed to make electric vehicles and batteries. The government already banned the export of lithium ore in 2022. The new, upcoming ban on exports of lithium concentrates is meant to encourage local processing and refining so that they can be exported at a higher value. 'With effect from January 2027 the export of lithium concentrate will no longer be allowed,' the government said in a statement following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It said that two companies, Bikita Minerals and Arcadia Lithium, were 'in the process of establishing refining facilities' where lithium could be produced locally. For the Harare-based Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a research and advocacy group, the government's efforts to boost revenue from its lithium comes 'too little, too late.' '2027 is too distant, given the pace of extraction and the price volatility of lithium on the global market,' it said in a statement on Wednesday. By then, it warned, millions of tons will be exported, 'enriching foreign capital while eroding our chances for sustainable economic development'. 'Zimbabwe must assert control over its critical minerals,' it said, as 'unchecked lithium exploitation... has devastating socio-economic and environmental implications'. Zimbabwe faces significant challenges from climate change. In 2024, El-Nino-induced drought triggered a state of national disaster, significantly affecting its agricultural sector. An estimated 7.2 million people are believed to be food insecure in Zimbabwe, according to the UN.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
China says ready to ‘strengthen cooperation' with US in future talks: state media
BEIJING: China's vice premier and top trade negotiator stressed the need for Beijing and Washington to strengthen cooperation and reduce 'misunderstandings' in future dialogue, according to state media on Wednesday following trade talks in London. After months of global turmoil as the world's two largest economies squared off over reciprocal tariffs, the two sides 'made new progress in resolving each other's economic and trade concerns', state broadcaster CCTV reported. The London negotiations follow talks in Geneva last month, which saw a temporary agreement to lower tariffs. 'As a next step, the two sides should... continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation,' vice premier He Lifeng said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Top officials from the United States and China said Tuesday that they had agreed on a 'framework' to move forward on trade, following two days of high-level talks in the British capital to resolve tensions. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed optimism after a full day of negotiations that concerns surrounding rare earth minerals and magnets 'will be resolved' eventually, as the deal is implemented. But this framework will first need to be approved by leaders in Washington and Beijing, officials said, at the end of meetings at London's historic Lancaster House. In its readout of the talks released Wednesday, Beijing's state media said the Chinese side 'reiterated that the two sides should meet each other halfway, keep promises and fulfil actions'. 'The two sides had candid and in-depth dialogue (and) exchanged in-depth views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern,' it said. They 'reached a consensus in principle on the framework of measures to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in their June 5 phone call', the broadcaster added, referring to recent talks between leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump. This time, China's exports of rare earth minerals -- used in a range of things including smartphones, electric vehicle batteries and green technology -- were a key issue on the agenda, with Washington accusing Beijing of dragging its feet on approving exports.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Irregular migrant crossings into EU drop 20% in 2025: Frontex
WARSAW: The number of irregular migrant crossings into the European Union dropped by 20 percent in the first five months of the year, the EU's border agency said Wednesday. Warsaw-based Frontex said that a total of 63,700 crossings were detected this year, adding that the main nationalities were Afghan, Bangladeshi and Malian. The biggest decreases in irregular crossings were seen in the Western Balkans (minus 56 percent), the western African route (minus 35 percent) and the eastern Mediterranean (minus 30 percent). There was also a seven percent decrease in migrant crossings from Belarus into Poland and the Baltics to 5,062 crossings, Frontex said. But it pointed to a slight increase of seven percent in the number of migrants crossing the central Mediterranean towards Italy. Frontex also said that the number of migrants attempting to cross into Britain via the Channel increased by 17 percent to 25,540 compared to the first five months of 2024. 'Smuggling networks operating in the area are adapting, using simultaneous departures to increase the number of successful crossings,' it said. Irregular migration has become a political flashpoint across Europe, as seen most recently in the Polish presidential election on June 1 which was won by a nationalist promising to crack down on immigration. Irregular border crossings detected into the European Union were down 38 percent to 239,000 last year after an almost 10-year peak in 2023, according to EU border agency Frontex. But, led by hawks including Italy and Denmark, EU leaders called in October for urgent new legislation to increase and speed up returns and for the commission to assess 'innovative' ways to counter irregular migration.
