More scholarships please

Among the various ethnic groups in this country, the Chinese are probably the most elaborate in their New Year celebrations. Chinese New Year celebrations usually span from the New Year Eve to the 15th day or Chap Goh Mei.

While Chinese families are immersed in the festive mood, Chinese associations here are also busy with their celebrations. But, how much do we actually have to spend on a gathering like this? While smaller organizations may trifle with it due to limited funds, cash-rich associations will be more than happy to entertain members and guests with sumptuous dinners complete with soft drinks and hard liquors.

The budget to stage a mammoth new year feast can easily top the list of an association's annual balance sheet. Financially, the new year gathering can be the single most important event organised by an association in a particular fiscal year, outperforming even "cash distributing" items such as the awarding of scholarships to members' children.

Malaysian Chinese are known for their enthusiasm for education, as evidenced in the large number of independent schools and private colleges in the country. Many Chinese organizations have also set up scholarship funds for the children of their members. Unfortunately, the quantum of scholarship disbursements remains miserable despite the fact that many of these organisations have flourished and the living standards have skyrocketed over the years.

Everyone knows very well that education is a heavy burden to most people. Nevertheless, many Chinese organizations choose to ignore this and try to keep their treasuries tight when it comes to scholarships.

Ironically, the MC in a scholarship awarding ceremony will almost invariably proclaim proudly that his organization has "generously set aside scholarships amounting to RM X,000". All they want is to fork out a few thousand ringgit to show that they have done their job to "perpetuate" the enthusiasm for education initiated by the association's founding members.

It is indeed inappropriate to evaluate the sincerity of an association based on the amount of money it sets aside for scholarships. However, judging from their input for the new year gatherings, we can't help but feel sorry for the paltry scholarships allocated.

It is disheartening to learn how our Chinese associations have proportioned between jovial celebrations and education.

Sin Chew Jit Poh, Kuala Lumpur