GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government has slammed as “inhumane” the Education Ministry’s new policy on stateless children, which is seen as discriminatory.
Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy told a press conference today that the policy, which started this year, requires stateless children to submit passports issued by their countries of origin with details on their biological mother’s citizenship status.
This has prevented 19 stateless children in Penang from continuing their education, he said.
“They just want to go to school, is it a crime?
“I am very disturbed by this matter, because it involves the future of children. This policy is inhumane, and it is very embarrassing.”
Prior to this, he said, stateless children adopted by Malaysian families need only submit documents, such as their birth and adoption certificates from the National Registration Department, and a court order on child custody, or Form 13, from the Welfare Department.
He urged the government, through the Education Ministry, to review the new policy.
“I sent a letter to the state Education Department on November 13 last year, but until now, I have not received any feedback.
“Schools already opened on January 20, but there has yet to be a decision from the state Education Department on whether stateless children can continue with their schooling.”
In 2018, then education minister Maszlee Malik agreed to provide facilities for stateless children to attend government schools starting the following year.
He reportedly said the ministry had agreed to allow children without complete documents, such as their birth certificate or an identity card, to attend national schools, so long as there is a certification letter from the village chief.
These children’s parents or guardians could obtain identification documents by attending briefings by the Education Department in each state. – The Vibes, February 2, 2021
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