PARLIAMENT | Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin has revoked the decision to charge Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG) expenses for the operation of vaccination centres for school students.
He was responding to Charles Santiago (Harapan-Klang), who asked for clarification on why the PIBG of schools in Klang were obliged to pay when other demographics have had their vaccinations subsidised.
The PIBG of each school in the district were allegedly instructed to fork out RM1,600 to support the expenses incurred for the operations of the centres, although the vaccines were provided for free.
“I have checked (this matter) and decided that there is no need for any payment to be made.
“It was a miscommunication with the Klang district education office. We have instructed for the matter to not move forward,” said Radzi said during a session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Inoculation begins tomorrow (Sept 23) for teenagers aged 16 to 17 years old.
A PIBG member of a Klang school anonymously told Malaysiakini they were informed by the district education office (PPD) that the funds were to be used for the vaccine operations, set to be carried out over the course of ten days.
“On Monday, we had a meeting with the PPD at 3pm regarding the vaccinations (for the children).
“They told us the government did not have any allocations to operate the vaccination centre, but the vaccines are free. Therefore, we had to bear the costs.
“When asked, they said the funds would cover food for all staff at the centre, allowances for the teachers who are volunteering, cleaning costs, and the internet and data charges over the course of 10 days,” he said adding that the RM1,600 needed was for each vaccine dose administered to the students.
Unsatisfied, he then alerted Charles, who was taken aback by the matter.
During the Dewan Rakyat session, Charles brought up the issue to Radzi, saying that requiring students to pay for their own vaccinations infringed upon their rights.
“So many adults, even migrant workers, were able to get (their vaccinations) for free. And now students are forced to pay.
“This violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child where the government is obligated to protect and promote the health of students and children.
“I suggest that the ministry cancel the RM1,600 payment by the PIBG in Klang schools,” he said.
He added that this was inconsistent with other districts such as Kuala Selangor where adolescents were allowed to walk into their nearest PPV to get vaccinated.
Charles told Malaysiakini that despite the issue being resolved, many questions remain.
“Who authorised it, and why withdraw it?” he said.
He further questioned if the district was operating independently or if it involved the federal government.
“I think the (education) minister has to clarify why there is an inconsistency between everybody else and Klang schools. Everybody else gets it for free. There are huge subsidies with each vaccination centre yet schools were made to pay.
“Schools are in dire states right now as in the last year and a half, the PIBG has had no money due to school closures.
“Why was Klang made to pay RM1,600 while Kuala Selangor gets to go to a stadium for free? This was not a consistent directive,” he added.
Malaysiakini has attempted to contact Radzi for further comment. - Mkini
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