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| Malaysian Mission Schools News Archive
The Star, Nation, July 17, 2004
Respect ethos of mission schools, D-G tells principals
KUALA LUMPUR : School heads must respect the ethos and character of mission schools, and not act indiscriminately by removing crosses and other fixtures from the schools.
Education director-general Tan Sri Abdul Rafie Mahat said alleged incidents of school heads removing crosses and writing the names of certain schools in Jawi, must be reported to him immediately so that appropriate action could be taken.
“Item such as crosses, statues and other fixtures are central to the identity of mission schools,” he said after his ministry's post-Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
He added that the ministry had a healthy relationship with mission school authorities and that his door was always open for them to thrash out their grievances.
“The schools too must not exaggerate such incidents to make the situation seem worse than it is,” he said, commenting on a report in StarEducation last week which highlighted the plight of mission schools.
The Malaysian Christian Schools Council had, among other things, highlighted that some school heads had taken matters into their own hands by even changing school logos, mottos and colours unilaterally.
“We ask for the principle of maximum consultation to be adhered to so that broadminded, co-operative heads will be appointed,” the council said in a statement outlining the strengths of mission schools and the problems they faced.
“But this has not been adhered to in its entirety,” said the council's honorary secretary K.Y. Yin recently.
Abdul Rafie said the ministry tried its best to appoint school heads recommended by mission school authorities but sometimes there were cases where there was no appropriate candidate.
“I have met Yin and other people representing mission schools, including Sister Enda Ryan, and they have raised the matter with me.
“We are doing the best we can,” he added.
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