Ministry’s stance ‘inconsistent’ with principal’s, say concerned parents

 

The PTA at a Johor school says their meetings never discussed hosting the SPM workshop.

PETALING JAYA: Parents of students left out of a controversial SPM workshop at SMK Infant Jesus Convent in Johor Bahru said the education ministry’s statement on the matter is “inconsistent” with the principal’s briefing.

In a statement, the parents said that the parent-teacher association (PTA) meetings never discussed two workshop series, and that no approval was sought for the use of funds for such workshops.

“We consider this a serious breach of trust,” said the parents.

“It has become apparent that not all members of the PTA were privy to this information and these measures.”

It is understood the statement was also signed by members of the school’s parent-teacher association and the parental support group (KSIB).

Yesterday, the education ministry denied that the school had discriminated against non-Muslim students after claims on social media that the school held a SPM workshop only for Muslim students.

In a statement, the ministry said the workshop was intended for all the students as part of an initiative by the Johor education district office, adding that the workshop was organised with the cooperation of the PTA, KSIB, other parents, as well as private stakeholders.

The ministry said the workshop was broken up into different sessions to avoid disrupting the festivities for students celebrating Chinese New Year, adding that the school should have communicated details about the workshop better.

In their statement, the parents sought an assurance from the PTA and school’s administration that all future planning and communication will be collaborative and transparent so as to avoid possible discriminatory and divisive practices. - FMT