The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to maintain Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN)'s status quo, as the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Office seeks to retake the all-girls school's property once its lease expires.
Suhakam said the 122-year-old school's land lease should be renewed while authorities, including the National Heritage Department, work to preserve it as a historic learning institution.
“As one of the country’s high-achieving schools, CBN should be allowed to continue with its educational work as they have done for more than a century.
“The right to education comes in many forms, not only for the students but also relates to the right to livelihood... for the education providers.
“As long as it is in compliance with educational and other legal requirements, no institution should be dictated on how it may conduct its operations,” Suhakam said in a statement today.
The school’s lease for the land it occupies is set to expire on Sept 6, 2021, after the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Office refused to renew it.
The school was established in 1899 and moved to its present location in 1909.
It has filed a challenge in court to quash the land office's decision not to renew its lease, while an online petition was launched on Tuesday to lobby for the school’s preservation.
However, the land office’s director Muhammad Yasir argued that a government takeover of the school would aid its preservation.
“Right now, Convent Bukit Nanas is partially aided and it is a very old school. It will benefit more if it was made a fully-aided government institution,” The Star quoted him as saying on Tuesday. - Mkini
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