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I first heard this via the 8am news on Minnal FM. Then saw the article in NST:
A school with only one pupil is no reason for the government to shut it down.
This was the undertaking given by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when asked on the case of SRJK (T) Ladang Sungai Timah in Teluk Intan, which has only one student.
However, Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the government had advised schools with low enrolments to register students in larger schools nearby.
This, he said, would provide students with a better learning environment and better interaction with their peers.
“These cases are prevalent, especially among Tamil schools. Whatever it is, we leave it to the discretion of the school’s management.
“This is a considerate government and we will not shut schools like this. The student wants to study, so let her.”
K. Humah, 12, is a Year Six student and had been the sole student at the school, which has three academic staff and a gardener, since her first year.
Muhyiddin agreed that any attempt to close the school would be politicised.
“If that happens, some within the community would accuse the government of not caring for their education.”
Only thing missing was the announcement of some immediate allocation to improve something in the school.
Now, if I was really caring and had the power, I would advise the student to shift to another Tamil school nearby, or make arrangements to provide transport. Then, I’ll proceed to authorise the transfer of the school to another location where there is high probability of more students registering.
The girl is in Standard Six. 4 more months and she will be ex-student. Nor is it practical to ask her to move in the midst of UPSR year. What will be the status of the school in 6 months time? No students enrolled in any other year. Unless the school manage to get some students enrolled for Year One next year, the school will be closed down, no? So, another Tamil school closed down due to “considerate” attitude? If not closed down, then what? Empty of students, the staff do what everyday?
As we all are well aware, there’s no new vernacular school license being issued. Thus the only way to survive is to relocate schools with very small enrolment to different locations. The authority to provide permission to transfer school license lies with…hmmm…..
Is there an attempt to pull our legs here?
Earlier in April (if I’m not mistaken), there was similar act in being “considerate” to the plight of SJKT Ladang Bukit Jalil, by asking to increase the number of classrooms in the original plan. But the actual problem is the small land allocation in the MIDST of a cemetary and temple. This was being protested by the parents and PIBG of SJKT Ladang Bukit Jalil as its an unconducive environment. The land allocated also did not consider future expansion and increased enrolment.
I smell a rat here.
