Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The issues of schools not allowed to invite leaders from opposition-ruled states appeared in Penang and Selangor. The Sun then reported that all 5 states were given the directive. The Education Department DG clarified that such ruling existed for long time. Only certain people were allowed to be invited – Education Minister and his deputy, Education DG, state directors and the representatives. But, how many times have we seen in TV and newspapers pictures of state EXCOs, MPs, businessmen, corporate leaders, Menteri Besars and even PM/DPM in schools? The DG also said that schools have to write to get permission if want to invite others than those mentioned in the ruling. Now who will approve requests by schools to invite Lim Guan Eng, for example?
Anyway, this things can’t be hidden for long. If in the next 8 months not even a single school applies to invite state government leaders in the 5 states, we would know that such a verbal ban exists.
By the way, isn’t it good that teachers need not waste time attending functions and can concentrate on their core activities? This would save precious time.
D-G: Only ministry officers allowed at school functions
JOHOR BARU: Only officers from the Education Ministry are allowed to officiate at school functions to prevent such functions from being politicised. Ministry director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said that that the ministry would be sending out circulars to all schools next week as a reminder, but stressed that it was not a new ruling. According to him, those who were allowed to officiate school events included the Education Minister, the deputy minister, the director-general, and state level Education Department directors and their representatives. “The school principals have to write to their respective Education Departments if they want to invite anyone outside and obtain permission from the state director.”
He was responding to questions from the media as to whether schools had been told not to invite or have dealings with politicians who were not from Barisan Nasional.
When asked if it meant that all politicians, including the Mentri Besar or Chief Ministers would no longer be allowed to officiate at school functions, Alimuddin reiterated that the approval had to come from the state Education director. “The approval is subject to the discretion of the director. We have given them that power,” he said at a press conference after launching the national level Gala C-Curriculum celebrations here yesterday.
He refused to elaborate when asked if the Education directors had been instructed not to approve requests for visits by politicians from Opposition parties. “This is a simple matter, don’t sensationalise it,” he said.
In Seremban, State Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas described the directive as “unfair.” Kamarul, who is also Teluk Kemang MP, said another directive from the National Union of the Teaching Profession, stating that teachers were no longer required to attend state functions, as going against the people’s aspirations. “The situation is being unnecessarily politicised. We in the PKR do not want anyone to be victimised,” he said
No ban on state govt officials
JOHOR BARU: Education Ministry director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said no directive had been been issued to headmasters in Penang prohibiting state government officials from attending school functions. He advised all parties concerned not to blow up the issue.
Alimuddin, who launched the National Co-curriculum Gala at the state education department here yesterday, said this when commenting on reports in the alternative media of a directive purportedly being issued by the Penang education department earlier this week. The directive allegedly warned school heads not to invite leaders of the Penang government to school functions.
Alimuddin said politicians were normally not invited to such functions but could be if school heads wished to do so. “They have to get permission from the state education department (if they wished to do so). A circular on this matter will be sent out next week.”
Education dept ‘not boycotting Penang govt’
NIBONG TEBAL: The state education department has denied rumours that it is sidelining the new state government by issuing instructions to school heads against inviting elected representatives from the DAP and PKR to attend official functions. Deputy director Ibrahim Mohamad said there was no such instruction from the department, adding that some people might be taking advantage of the current situation to create tension between the department and the new state government. The department has submitted a written reply over the issue to state secretary Datuk Jamaludin Hassan yesterday.
The department was also waiting for an explanation from National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) Penang branch chairman Lim Ming Tzong @ Adam Alim Abdullah over his statement that it was no longer compulsory for teachers to attend official functions organised by the new state government. “We have contacted him but he was in Langkawi,” he said.
It was reported that Adam Alim had said that no action would be taken against teachers who do not attend official functions organised by the state government. He was quoted as saying that teachers no longer have to give explanation letters for failing to attend such functions since Penang was no longer under the Barisan Nasional. Sources also claimed that school heads must obtain consent from the department before inviting MPs and assemblymen for school functions.
Ibrahim explained that the state education department had no intention of “boycotting” the new administration as they have to work closely on education issues. “We have to work with all parties to ensure continuous education programmes in the state,” Ibrahim said after attending the closing ceremony of the state schools’ athletic tournament at the state stadium in Batu Kawan yesterday.
Asked why Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was not invited for the ceremony, Ibrahim replied that it was due to time constraints. Preparations for the tournament was made before the general election and the organising committee had invited former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. “That is why we did not have ample time to make new arrangements and forward the invitation to the new chief minister,” he added.
