Jul 18 2008
No school because no birth certificate
The announcement that children with birth certificates can be enrolled in schools came in February. It was announced by Hishamuddin (and repeated by Deputy Prime Minister Najib) following cabinet decision:
I have instructed all schools to accept these children. I have asked the headmasters and teachers to put themselves in an accomodative position. “I do not want to hear any headmaster blocking or rejecting such applications
Students just have to get letter from village head or Village committee chairman, for example to get enrolled.
But, today’s Star highlights a case in Ipoh where children from a welfare home (note: registration status unknown) who are unable to attend school due to lack of birth certificate.
Her guardian (note: legal or not?) Babaji Indhu Adigalar (of the Arutperum Jothi Children’s Welfare Home) said that besides Tharsini, his four other charges aged between five and 11 years were also facing the same problem.
“I have been trying to enrol them into primary schools since 2004 but the children were turned away because they do not have birth certificates,” said the 60-year-old, adding that he had documents (note: acceptable documents?) proving the children were born in Malaysia.
Speaking to reporters from their home in Buntong here yesterday, Babaji said he thought his problems were over when the ministry made the announcement.
However, the children and I were again left disappointed when the schools that I approached refused to admit them as they claimed there had been no circular on the matter.
Babaji, who sought the assistance of Perak MIC (note: Why not Pakatan?), said the five children had been abandoned by their parents.
“Because of that, I face difficulty in getting them birth certificates,” he said, adding that attempts to get in touch with the children’s next-of-kin had failed. As a result, the children have only attended kindergarten.
State MIC chairman Datuk G. Rajoo said a check with the Education Department on Monday confirmed that such a circular had not been issued. “I urge the Ministry to do so fast as the children’s future is at stake,” he added.
Issue here: Outcome of decision made in February is not available. Delay of nearly 5 months.
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I dont know why the parents didnt get the birth cert.
If it’s their negligence then police report should be made on them who never register and get the birth certificate for their kids.
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Why MIC ?
Well ask people of Perak, they will tell you why. When you approach the PR Indian reps they are busy with work and tell you that they are for all and not just Indians. Even when they take up the case, in the end they accomplish nothing. So people are fed-up.
As for this case, it’s Little Napolean at their worse. It is all about waiting for official letter. I think the MIC people in Perak are inexperienced. In my previous experience, the MIC leaders in other states don’t even bother to deal with these little dictators but go straight to the DG of Education for that state. This is how MIC should function.
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