Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Not sure why he wants to sue on behalf of Selangor schools only. Perhaps because he’s ADUN in Selangor. But if its applicable for one state, then can extend to others as well. Should get few ADUNs from other states to join in as well.
Obviously there are some guidelines on establishing the status of the school. The land on which the school stands on primarily is the main issue. If any part of a schools is privately-owned, then it can’t be fully aided. Probably the ADUN should look to change the guidelines or ensure the landowner donates the land to government.
Kota Alam Shah state assemblyperson M Manoharan has threatened to sue the Education Ministry for failing to recognise all vernacular schools in Selangor as fully-aided public schools.
A notice of proceedings was issued to Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today, urging the ministry to fulfil Manoharan’s demands in 21 days, or else be slapped with the suit.
According to the notice, there are a total of 108 national-type Chinese schools (SJKC) and 97 national-type Tamil schools (SJKT) in the state.
“Regretfully, only 55 SJKC and 30 SJKT are categorised as fully-aided schools while 53 SJKC and 67 SJKT are categorised as partially-aided schools,” read the notice.
Manoharan (right) argued that all schools should be treated fairly, in line with the federal constitution, to ensure racial harmony. But now, numerous schools in Malaysia’s most developed state are in deplorable conditions.
Contacted for details, Manoharan cited the widely reported case of SJK (C) Chung Hua in Klang, which reportedly cannot even afford to pay its water and electricity bills.
“Students can’t even get decent food from the canteen because the operator cannot store food in the fridge because electricity is turned off at night.
“This is because it is a partially-aided school. The government only pays the teachers’ salaries and nothing else,” he said.
PE classes in carpark
He also cited the case of SJK (T) Batu 4 in Kampung Jawa where, despite having a student population of 900, there are no laboratories or library because all available space is used for classrooms.
“There is also no field. Physical education classes takes place in the car park. Teachers, too, are affected. There are 55 of them, but only one toilet,” he said.
He said that the situation distressed students, parents and teachers in partially-aided schools throughout the state.
“Children must love to go to school. This is difficult for those in partially-aided schools, particularly Tamil schools. They are typically badly equipped and are as hot as boiler rooms, without proper facilities,” he said.
Manoharan adds that he had taken up the issue because he had visited several badly affected schools in the state and is very distressed about the situation.
“I feel it is a form of cleansing, a move to finish off vernacular schools. What is so difficult for the government to pay to upkeep the condition of schools?
“They spend millions lighting up certain places, millions on water splashing all over the place. Why can’t they afford money for education?” he asked.
