Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The school may have had good intentions, but to have students to do it during Moral Education, while the muslim students go for religious classes sent the wrong signal to the parents. In this time of heightened sensitivities and tension, the school should have done this toilet-cleaning activity in a better way, maybe on Saturday or Sunday…with parents and all.
Thus, to public, this looks like racial discrimination.
Children made to clean toilets
BY GLADYS TAY
gladys@thestar.com.my
JOHOR BARU: Angry parents held a meeting with a school in Taman Daya after their Year Six children were asked to clean the toilets on Friday. They lodged a police report on the matter on Saturday, prompting the state Education Department to intervene. Department director Mokhy Saidon together with the headmistress, teachers, and parents of the 20 pupils held a meeting at the school yesterday, with policemen on standby to ensure order.
During the two-hour meeting, headmistress Siti Latifah Adnan explained that the toilet-cleaning activity was part of a cleanliness competition organised by the Johor Baru City Council. The school even showed photos taken during the one-hour activity to convince the parents that the activity was not targeted at just a group of pupils. The parents refused to accept the explanation.
After the meeting, a teacher involved in the activity broke down and cried hysterically saying that she loved the children. Other teachers consoled her and took her out of the meeting room.
Parent M. Anbalagan said instead of studying, his son and a group of other Year 6 pupils were washing toilets. “This is an important year for the pupils and they should be revising for their UPSR,” he said.
B. Darshiney, 12, said the activity took place during the Moral Education period. “Other students went for their religious class while we went to the toilet,” the girl added.
Mokhy who later met the press said the problem resulted from a misunderstanding among all parties.
again ‘misunderstanding’ word became the savior
sooo MISUNDERSTANDING huh? as rep by makkal osai on 29th Jan, a non-indian teacher punched the table & shouted tht she will not teach indian students anymore.The Dptm Dir did not take any action.(Any clue??)
Thn, as Mr Anba was speaking, the Dptm Dir sent him out frm the meeting rm with the police escort citing tht he did not want to listen any further.Ony wen Darshini spoke up, he was unsure whose story is true.At last, no conclusion on tht matter.Let me put it tis way, if it was an Indian teachers asked the non-indian students to wash toilets during school time, sure kena publish in MSM & tht teacher kena gantung la,sent for disciplinary course,etc.
Thn why not our Makkal who went to streets also make an apology & get away frm hooks??