“Stricter Discipline, Better Prospects” – Why a Malaysian Entrepreneur Chose SJKC for Her Daughter
Entrepreneur Shares Why She Chose SJKC
Malaysian entrepreneur and influencer Syafiqah Aina recently sparked discussion online after explaining why she decided to enrol her daughter in a Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC), or Chinese vernacular school.
In an Instagram post, Syafiqah said the decision was not made lightly, but after carefully weighing the long-term benefits of discipline, language exposure, and future career opportunities.
“In terms of discipline, I think Chinese schools are stricter, which can educate young students to be more independent,” she shared.
Discipline And Academic Structure A Key Factor
According to Syafiqah, the structured environment in SJKC played a major role in her decision. She believes early exposure to discipline helps children develop resilience, responsibility, and a strong work ethic from a young age.
She added that this approach can prepare children mentally for future academic and professional challenges.
Language Skills Seen As A Long-Term Advantage
Another major factor was language acquisition. Syafiqah pointed out that childhood is the most effective stage for learning new languages due to rapid brain development.
“This is the beginning of providing an opportunity to learn more than one language, which will build a strong foundation for the future,” she explained.
She also highlighted that Mandarin proficiency can open doors in the job market, especially in industries where bilingual or multilingual skills are increasingly valued.
“If you have Mandarin-speaking skills, you have a higher chance of securing job opportunities,” she added.
Family Background Influenced The Decision
Syafiqah revealed that her decision was also influenced by family experience. Her mother and her child’s cousin both attended SJKC, making it easier for her to seek advice and understand what her daughter would need to adapt to the syllabus.
This familiarity reassured her that the school system would be manageable and beneficial.
Government Schooling Still Her Priority
Despite choosing SJKC, Syafiqah clarified that she never intended to send her children to private or international schools.
She expressed a strong belief in government-run education, noting that both she and her husband were educated in public schools and turned out well.
Bahasa Melayu Still Practised At Home
Addressing concerns about cultural identity, Syafiqah stressed that Bahasa Melayu remains the primary language used at home. At the same time, she noticed her daughter’s English proficiency improving alongside Mandarin.
For her, enrolling her child in SJKC is about expanding opportunities, not replacing identity.
DISCLAIMER: NasiLemakDaily is not responsible for any comments written by readers. Please think carefully before posting. We are also unable to monitor every comment posted. All comments are your own responsibility.
