MOE mulling options for girl denied schooling, wrote letter to PM

 

The Education Ministry is weighing several options on how to solve the plight of Shivaani, a 10-year-old girl who was denied entry to school due to citizenship documentation issues last year.

In a statement, the ministry said the Negeri Sembilan Education Department has held a meeting with the girl’s family on Dec 28 to discuss a solution to the matter.

“The session was held to find a solution to the problem so that the student can continue to go to school as usual.

“Several suggestions have been made in regard to the student’s citizenship documentation requirement while the Negeri Sembilan Education Department is committed to assisting on the aspect of her school registration.

“The meeting was held in a harmonious manner and has achieved a positive outcome,” said the statement.

The ministry, however, did not elaborate on what the positive outcome was.

On Dec 28, Malaysiakini reported about Shivaani’s letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, seeking his help so that she can go to school again.

Shivaani was a student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Sri Pagi in Senawang studying from Year One to Year Three. However, the school informed the family in March last year (2023) that she could not continue to Year Four due to citizenship documentation issues.

According to P Rajheswaran, 44, who introduced himself as Shivaani’s father, his daughter has always had a citizenship documentation problem.

“After I got married, I did not register at the National Registration Department. After my child was born in 2013, my wife separated from me.

“When I tried to get a birth certificate, the NRD said my child could not be granted citizenship status because there was no information on the mother and father.

“My name also could not be entered as the father because our marriage was not registered. So, I took the child’s birth certificate with only the mother’s name written on it,” he said.

He said he suffered a stroke four years ago, making it difficult to leave the house to settle the citizenship issue.