Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email I’m still waiting for news from some of the HMs in Selangor but this seems to be true. Malaysiakini reports in detail while as usual nothing in the papers (except Makkal Osai).
I wonder how long before the protector of Tamil Schools reply to this latest news. What will the reply of Pala nivel, Dr S Subramaniam, Saravanan, Devamany, etc will be? Who is involved in issuing orders to education department officer to call the HMs? By right, the Tamil schools are under the care of Tamil School controller. Perhaps can start with him. His details are below:
Penyelia Sekolah Tamil (DGA32)
Encik Vallikkannan a/l Ramasamy
03-5518 6518
rvallikkannan@yahoo.com.my
The information above is available in public domain and is not invasion of privacy. The website of Selangor Education Department has the contact info.
Out of 79 schools, only 11 registered. I wonder about the statistics for the Chinese schools. Did the state departments threaten the Chinese school heads as well?
Below is excerpt of Charles Santiago’s statement:
I however strongly denounce the act of the fear mongers who have ill-advised school principals against accepting the funds. The state education department should know better than to issue verbal instructions to principals asking them not to attend the function at the Petaling Jaya Civic Center..
Currently there are only 11 Tamil schools registered with the state government for financial aid, to be used to improve facilities and infrastructure. I encourage more schools to come forward for the future of the school children..
The government and state education department must not try to force a political issue out of the initiative by the Selangor state government . Instead they could try to genuinely reach out to help the Tamil and Chinese schools which are in dire need of funding.
Let’s see what the PTA representatives said to Malaysiakini:
Two PTA representatives interviewed later revealed that their principals had received instructions not to attend the event.
Kinrara school PTA president Michael Tamil (left) said the headmaster had received verbal instructions.
“He told me that he had received such instructions…I don’t see the rationale for this,” he said.
S Sugumaran of the Persiaran Raja Muda Musa school said the principal had received a phone call from the state education department, which issued similar ‘advice’.
“But the headmaster encouraged me to attend instead…she actually wanted to come but it would have been hard for her because she would have been easily identified (by the authorities),” he added.
Xavier had this to say:
Addressing participants at the event, state exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar – who handles the health, plantation workers, poverty and caring government portfolio – said he had sent two letters to the education department director, seeking consent for the principals to attend the event.
Instead, he claimed, the department had warned them against doing so.
“I have learnt that (the officials) had made numerous phone calls to the principals,” said Jayakumar.
However, he said it was a positive sign that many others had shown up despite the directive.
“Even though we faced some hurdles before the event, I thank you all for coming today…because this is about our children’s priority, rather than that of politicians,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
I’m appaled to even read about this. If this story is true, then those responsible should be hauled up and sacked. The Education Minister should initiate an investigation so that his name is not implicated. But, most importantly, the affected HMs must come forward to name the criminals. They can do it via the PTA representatives. Or the police can subpeona phone records to trace who made the calls to the schools or the HMs’ handphones. (Hmmm… watching police series/movies makes us think better!)
Better still, Selangor government should just call PTAs instead of HMs or just visit the schools to hand over the allocations. No need for some function which puts the HMs in difficult position.
MP: edited
Why are these P****** from the education dept destroying the future of innocent children, what is their motivation, is it to their political masters, just for spite. This is the problem with malaysia, an entranched civil service which is totally corrupt. what a bunch of buffons, where are your morals, d***, what about your responsibilities to the education of children or do they become victims of deceit, imorality, conceit and political expediency.
MP
The PR/PKR leaders have in the past, issued highly misleading statements if not downright lies, no doubt inspired by the example set by their supreme leader aka PM-in-waiting, DSAI.
As such, it would not surprise me if they are also trying to confuse people on this issue as well. If Xavier & Charles do indeed been told by the HMs of such calls, I am sure that these 2 clowns will also been told of the identity of caller from Edu Ministry as well. As such, there is nothing is stopping these 2 jokers from making a police report.
I am not saying this might or might not have happened. MP, you need to understand the issues involved before making sweeping and unfair statements.
First and foremost, the govt aided schools (partial and full) come under the purview of the Federal govt as the funds and salaries come from them and the administration is under MOE.
As such, no other authorities, be it the state govt or political parties, have the right to summon the HMs for official business. Of course if this is for some prize giving ceremony or some cultural functions (as done by MIC) is a different matter. This never even happened in a BN controlled state, not just for schools but also for other Federal govt controlled departments.
If any one wants to do it, then they have to seek permission from the MOE beforehand. Since Selangor had no such permission, no doubt the HMs were reluctant to attend. If you ask me why did MOE refused permission, then the answer is easy. Why should they ? This action by Selangor govt is a serious one where they are trying to undermine the power of the Federal govt. If permission was given, this would have set a precendent that would create numerous problems later, not only in Selangor but in other states (Be it BN or PR controlled).
It is easy to see what Selangor PR govt is doing, they are trying to take control of the schools for political purposes by dangling some meaningless carots. If the schools do take up the offer, then it would allow the Selangor PR govt to start to get involve in the administration of the school by demanding some control in return. If you failed to see this, then perhaps you have bought the propaganda hook, line and sinker. Perhaps you should talk to people outside PR to get a wider perspective than swallow these statements by Xavier wholesale.
Some might claim that the intentions of Xavier and PR is good. I admit it does look so on the paper. However, if they are sincere, then they should work with MOE in distributing the aid and the land. I have read a statement by Hisahamuddin on this before. As such, I am sure MOE would be happy to welcome these aids by PR govts.
To me, the whole exercise is a political game timed to coincide with the 25th Nov to improve PR’s image in the eyes of Indians since the HINDRAF supporters are already fed up PR’s failure to fulfill their promises.
I read in Osai that Selangor MB promised to allocate 6 acres of land to some Tamil schools. I applaud this gesture but again, I implore him to work with MOE to deliver this promise. However anyone with 1/2 a brain would know that this promise is impossible to fulfill. Since very very few Tamil schools can afford to find 6 acres of land within their vicinity. Even if MB is sincere, the land likely to be far away to be useful and what about the funds for building new buildings at the new site ? And also, based on the situation of Selangor with many parties trying to carve up the land and resources, it is unlikely that this 6 acres of land will be ever found…
I think the news about HMs being “threatened” appeared in Makkal Osai first. I think those involved know who is/are the caller(s). Only that no one dare to mention it. I have to check with HMs I know for more details.
Further more Killer, I said “if the story is true”. Of course we can’t simply believe whatever the MPs say. I also mentioned that we should find out if Chinese schools faced the same problem. It will be very odd if only Tamil schools were targeted.
I think the state government could have done the fund allocation in a discreet manner. No need to glamorise by holding a function with political speech, Just take it like any other donation given by public. Schools can do a lot with the RM4 million. And all the schools had to do was register themselves. RM million divided by 79 schools will be about RM50,633. At least can buy 15 PCs.
I don’t agree that by giving funds, it will allow the state government to interfere in school administration. The HMs can always reject such funds if there are strings attached. Just imagine the amount of strings attached to federal funds – which contractor to choose, which MP/ADUN to officiate, who to invite etc. Same only la.
For me, its irrelevant who gives the money – state or federal. Just imagine the public perception – one group rejecting the funds given by another group. But they forget its taxpayers’ money. The PTAs should be more vocal and ask both parties to clear this mess. From parents and schools point of view – they want money to improve the facilities. Whoever stop the funds, will end up in the bad books.
I haven’t read about the 6 acres land story. Is it for one school? Which school needs 6 acres?