SPM workshop controversy won’t happen again, vows minister
Fadhlina Sidek said the education ministry will listen to the views of parents before considering a suggestion to start the daily school session at 8am.
KUALA LUMPUR: Last month’s controversy involving an SPM workshop which was allegedly organised by a government school exclusively for its Muslim students will not happen again, says education minister Fadhlina Sidek.
“Discrimination is not allowed in the education system and we will ensure that this will not take place again,” she told reporters after attending a National Union of the Teaching Profession’s (NUTP) grand seminar.
Fadhlina warned of stern action against any school that allows such an incident to occur.
The issue first came to light on Jan 23 after parents of SPM students at SMK Infant Jesus Convent alleged that the school had discriminated against non-Muslim students by holding the SPM workshop only for Muslim students.
The education ministry denied the claim, explaining that the workshop was meant for all students but had been broken up into different sessions to avoid disrupting the festivities for students celebrating Chinese New Year.
The ministry also acknowledged that the school should have communicated details about the workshop better.
The school’s parent-teacher association (PTA) has since said that the matter has been resolved amicably.
When asked whether action will be taken against the school in Johor, Fadhlina said the case has been handed over to the state education department, “and the issue has been resolved”.
Separately, on the suggestion that classes at all schools in Peninsular Malaysia start at 8am, instead of the current 7.30am, Fadhlina said the ministry has not decided on the matter and it was not their main focus.
“We have heard the suggestions from the experts, but we need to listen to the views of the parents as well.”
Recently, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Anuar Ahmad urged the government to start classes at 8am in the peninsula to ease the burden on teachers, parents and students.
He said the government should be compassionate to teachers, parents and students, some of whom have to wake up as early as 4.30am.
KUALA LUMPUR: Last month’s controversy involving an SPM workshop which was allegedly organised by a government school exclusively for its Muslim students will not happen again, says education minister Fadhlina Sidek.
“Discrimination is not allowed in the education system and we will ensure that this will not take place again,” she told reporters after attending a National Union of the Teaching Profession’s (NUTP) grand seminar.
Fadhlina warned of stern action against any school that allows such an incident to occur.
The issue first came to light on Jan 23 after parents of SPM students at SMK Infant Jesus Convent alleged that the school had discriminated against non-Muslim students by holding the SPM workshop only for Muslim students.
The education ministry denied the claim, explaining that the workshop was meant for all students but had been broken up into different sessions to avoid disrupting the festivities for students celebrating Chinese New Year.
The ministry also acknowledged that the school should have communicated details about the workshop better.
The school’s parent-teacher association (PTA) has since said that the matter has been resolved amicably.
When asked whether action will be taken against the school in Johor, Fadhlina said the case has been handed over to the state education department, “and the issue has been resolved”.
Separately, on the suggestion that classes at all schools in Peninsular Malaysia start at 8am, instead of the current 7.30am, Fadhlina said the ministry has not decided on the matter and it was not their main focus.
“We have heard the suggestions from the experts, but we need to listen to the views of the parents as well.”
Recently, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Anuar Ahmad urged the government to start classes at 8am in the peninsula to ease the burden on teachers, parents and students.
He said the government should be compassionate to teachers, parents and students, some of whom have to wake up as early as 4.30am.
"And everyone lived happily afterwards."
ReplyDeleteThat there was no disciplinary action against those involved in the clandestine racist move is unsurprising.
This despite questions still not answered eg who or which company donated the money to have the workshop to be held in a hotel?
But then, this is Malaysia, Truly Asia
Not comforting coming from a minister of the ministry which denied the workshop was conducted only for malay students.
ReplyDelete