Features
01 Nov 2016

God’s Faithfulness – Our Heritage

Source/Author: By Ms Tay Choon Neo

The Malayan Christian Schools’ Council (MCSC) Celebrates 60 Years

The year 2016 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council or MCSC, and it was celebrated with a Dinner and a Book Launch. Never before had MCSC done anything on this scale, and this was precisely the reason for making the public more aware of this low-profile NGO.

The Dinner was held on 30th October at the Vistana Kuala Lumpur Titiwangsa with HE Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Ambassador to the Vatican, as the Guest of Honour. Present at the dinner were all the 13 Mission Authorities which included the Churches and Catholic Religious Teaching orders which own the schools, Alumni, Boards of Governors, friends and supporters of the Mission Schools.

Mr Yap Kok Keong, editor of the MCSC 60th Anniversary Commemorative Book, said in his editorial: “In the last 60 years, the MCSC has generally worked behind the scenes and hence its work is not known to many. This 60th Anniversary commemorative publication is intended to bring into wider awareness the work of MCSC and the contribution of the many dedicated volunteers past and present behind the organisation. It is also a timely reminder of the rich heritage and legacy passed on to us by those faithful missionary and education pioneers, a legacy which Mission authorities and MCSC have been called by God not only to preserve but also to be faithful in building upon for the children of the land today and in the years ahead…”

Bishop Dr Ong Hwai Teik who was present to represent the Methodist Mission Authority, said in his message: “… God has likewise used the MCSC to be a significant channel that helped the mission schools face and navigate the difficult seas of change, especially when official government policies pose great challenges to the ethos, operational values and management of our mission schools post the Independence era…..  The Church is grateful for the generations of stalwart educationists in the MCSC movement who are deeply convicted about the education cause, and passionately persevered in maintaining the Christian educational ethos in touching and transforming young lives.”

Elder Wong Sai Weng of the Brethren Assemblies said “The challenge for MCSC … is to recover the Vision and Mission of the church through education. Unless the presence of the Lord God Almighty is acknowledged in all our churches and Mission Authorities, there can be little to uplift the present dilemma facing our mission schools. Bold steps need to be taken in faith to get the mission schools back on track. This may mean a concerted effort to unite and pray for wisdom and guidance from the Lord to get back full control of our mission schools. Priority needs to be given to develop and enhance the school curriculum and assets to meet the challenges of a fast changing environment both globally and in our land.” 

And from Tan Sri Bernard Dompok: “Now is the time for the rebuilding of the “walls that have been broken down”. Now is the time to take up the mantle of education that was left for us as a heritage and show this nation how education should really be carried out without discrimination or indoctrination with fairness to all, focussed on developing character and become a beacon of hope.

“This legacy of high standards of education and the unifying force of compassion has been the heritage of the Mission Schools, and it would be folly to turn our backs on such clear opportunities to build on what has gone before.”

n.b. If you would like a copy of the MCSC 60th Anniversary Commemorative Book, please email to Lynda,  [ contact.mcsc@gmail.com ] and a donation for the book and postage would be most welcome.

Submitted by
Ms. Tay Choon Neo
Hon. Secretary, MCSC