GEORGE TOWN – The “Save the Assumption” task force has expressed its disappointment with Education Minister Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin for allegedly failing to respond to letters sent to the ministry to save the school from being shuttered.
In a statement, task force spokesman Vernon Fernandez said the Education Ministry should be held responsible for the present debacle the school is facing, as it opted to remain silent on the issue.
The task force, Fernandez said, had engaged with numerous stakeholders including parents, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the Butterworth Alumni Association (ABBA) and several others to save the school.
However, he pointed out that there has been no response from the Education Ministry over the closure of SK Assumption in Bagan Dalam, except for the initial announcement of the closure by the state deputy education director.
The school is set to cease operations on February 28.
“ABBA has written two letters to the minister. The landowner is supportive of saving the school from closing down.
“We have sent copies of the letters to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister II cum state education committee chairman P. Ramasamy.
“Since the announcement came, we have been working tirelessly with the parents, PTA and various stakeholders, including the landowner and Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees, to seek a solution instead of closing down the school,” Vernon said.
He said the task force has also sent copies of the letters to Satees, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Penang Bishop Datuk Sebastian Francis, and Federation of Christian Missionary Schools in Malaysia chairman Thomas Huo.
Vernon said the task force remains committed to ensuring that the well-being and welfare of the students remain a top priority, and is still working to seek a solution that will allow them to finish their formative primary school years without any disruptions or negative experiences.
Former student and founder-president of the school alumni body, Dr Anthony Ng, who is presently residing in Singapore, said he flew back to Penang to meet the landowner over the matter.
He said the landowner is sympathetic over the issue and is keen to preserve the school.
In an effort to garner more support towards retaining the school, the task force has since launched a petition on Change.org, which has already acquired 9,828 signatures as at 7.12pm today. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022
