'Principal's transfer after Guan Eng's visit unfair'

The case of a principal who was transferred out of her school in Bagan, Penang, has yet to simmer down, with the school's board of governors calling the move unjust.

SJKT Mak Mandin board chairperson R Arunasalam claimed the Penang Education Department (JPPP) had "unfairly" transferred the principal, V Tamilselvi, for allowing Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to visit the school.

"Tamilselvi is a dedicated and hardworking principal, her transfers - twice in a year - cannot be regarded as a routine one," said Arunasalam at a press conference in Komtar today.

"It is a clear case of victimisation by the JPPP as the school allowed the CM into its grounds."

Lim had visited the school, which is located within his constituency, together with Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy on Oct 16 to donate RM110,000 for its building and a kindergarten.

During the event, Tamilselvi was not at school and did not attend the event with Lim and Ramasamy.

"Tamilselvi has been transferred twice within a year, and this time, only three days after the CM visited the school," Arunasalam said.

Tamilselvi had been previously transferred from SJKT Bukit Mertajam to SJKT Mak Mandin due to problems posed by construction of a multistorey complex adjacent to the school. She is now at SJKT Prai.

Arunasalam expressed disappointment that the state education department had not taken any initiative to discuss the matter with the board.

"The JPPP should not engage in arbitrary decisions in transferring teachers and headmasters at their whims and fancies," he said.

'Nothing unusual' about transfer

In response to the issue, Deputy Minister of Education P Kamalanathan justified the transfer on grounds it was a "routine administrative one".

He said seven teachers were transferred from Tamil schools in Penang within a short period of time, so there is "nothing unusual" with Tamilselvi's transfer.

Penang Education Department director Shaari Osman denied the transfer was "political", saying it was to strengthen the schools.

Ramasamy has condemned the transfer, saying that the move "seems anything but apolitical".

He wants Shaari to resign from his post, saying that the Mak Mandin school is located on state land.- Mkini