Press Statement by M Kula
Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on 23rd,
June, 2015
Conduct thorough probe into the SK Ibrahim Sungai Petani “drink
urine “incident
Kedah Education, Transport and Housing Executive Committee chairman Tajul Urus Mat Zain has explained that a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ibrahim, Sungai Petani had told non-Muslim pupils to drink their own urine is untrue .
However, his explanation does not mean that the issue is resolved and over.
The public are entitled to know if a thorough investigation was carried out whereby teachers and students were also interviewed, or explanation was only sought from the teacher concerned?
If only the teacher was asked to offer an explanation, then the authorities are guilty of failing to conduct a fair and thorough probe.
The Education Ministry should therefore step in and form a special committee comprising representatives from the school’s parent teacher association and complainants to carry out a thorough probe.
I should also remind the Education Ministry that there are two issues involved that must be looked with utmost seriousness and urgency.
Firstly, it involves the allegation that the teacher had told the non Muslims students to drink urine and secondly, it involves the question of the non Muslim students asked to drink tap water in the toilet.
Why has Tajul Urus failed to address the second question? Can he explain why can’t non Muslim students be allowed to drink or eat in the school canteen during the Ramadan month?
And why were they told to drink tap water in the toilet?
Two years ago, the Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh was heavily criticized after a parent posted photos on Face book of non-Muslim students having their meals in the school’s shower area, next door to the toilets.
Below is part of an internet report dated July 23, 2013:
Angry netizens poured scorn on the school management for their decision to discriminate against the non-Muslim children by forcing them to have their meals in the shower area during recess.
Kedah Education, Transport and Housing Executive Committee chairman Tajul Urus Mat Zain has explained that a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ibrahim, Sungai Petani had told non-Muslim pupils to drink their own urine is untrue .
However, his explanation does not mean that the issue is resolved and over.
The public are entitled to know if a thorough investigation was carried out whereby teachers and students were also interviewed, or explanation was only sought from the teacher concerned?
If only the teacher was asked to offer an explanation, then the authorities are guilty of failing to conduct a fair and thorough probe.
The Education Ministry should therefore step in and form a special committee comprising representatives from the school’s parent teacher association and complainants to carry out a thorough probe.
I should also remind the Education Ministry that there are two issues involved that must be looked with utmost seriousness and urgency.
Firstly, it involves the allegation that the teacher had told the non Muslims students to drink urine and secondly, it involves the question of the non Muslim students asked to drink tap water in the toilet.
Why has Tajul Urus failed to address the second question? Can he explain why can’t non Muslim students be allowed to drink or eat in the school canteen during the Ramadan month?
And why were they told to drink tap water in the toilet?
Two years ago, the Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh was heavily criticized after a parent posted photos on Face book of non-Muslim students having their meals in the school’s shower area, next door to the toilets.
Below is part of an internet report dated July 23, 2013:
Angry netizens poured scorn on the school management for their decision to discriminate against the non-Muslim children by forcing them to have their meals in the shower area during recess.
One Facebook user,
Harris Nasril, said that it was ridiculous for the school management to make
non-Muslim children to eat in a shower room space next to the toilets as if
there were no other rooms available.
“This school is
nonsense. As a Muslim, I’m sorry to hear this. Islam never teaches this kind of
thing. The headmaster can use any other room, even the library, This is totally
unacceptable,” he said.
The SK Pristana, Sungai Buluh and SK Ibrahim, Sungai Petani incidents have shown how ridiculous and insensitive school teachers could be.
If schools could be allowed to practice policy of discrimination and intolerance, what will happen to religious harmony and racial unity in our multi racial nation?
The SK Ibrahim incident must therefore be probed thoroughly and the stern disciplinary action be taken when necessary and required.
The SK Pristana, Sungai Buluh and SK Ibrahim, Sungai Petani incidents have shown how ridiculous and insensitive school teachers could be.
If schools could be allowed to practice policy of discrimination and intolerance, what will happen to religious harmony and racial unity in our multi racial nation?
The SK Ibrahim incident must therefore be probed thoroughly and the stern disciplinary action be taken when necessary and required.
The incidence as above is not isolated. We should not and
cannot tolerate this teacher’s misdeeds. No excuse and no cover up for the
wrong done by the teacher.
Teachers who are misfits and bring shame to the educational
system should just leave the teaching profession.
Comments
Post a Comment