PETALING JAYA – Most schools in Sarawak have stayed clear of holding any events to mark Palestine Solidarity Week as directed by the Education Ministry.
According to reports in The Borneo Post, teachers and parents interviewed yesterday and today, said the school has been sticking to their regular weekly routines.
According to a teacher from SK Sejayan/Keranji in Lundu, Metric Mihon, there were no activities related to the directive at the school.
He said the same applied to SK Holy Name in the same district where his wife teaches.
Parents also confirmed that schools, where their children were attending, were not holding any events in conjunction with Palestine Solidarity Week.
Sulan Anding was quoted as saying that she did not notice any such activities at the school near her village, while Umbat Tambat said it was classes as normal at SK Jalan Bintang and SMK Baru Miri in Miri where her children studied.
Another parent, Niok Abraham, said SMK Pujut had invited only Muslim students to participate in some activities last week.
“Non-Muslim students of the school were not invited to participate in the event. I did not see any such activities being held at the school today, however,” said the housewife.
According to The Borneo Post, SMK Agama Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab in Kuching is planning to organise a fundraiser to show their solidarity.
A brief visit to the nearby SK Petra Jaya also showed no signs of activities related to Palestine Solidarity Week.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen had earlier said that federal Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying confirmed the programme is not compulsory for schools and education institutions in Sarawak.
Chong is the MP for Stampin in Sabah and the state assemblyman for Padungan. – The Vibes, October 31, 2023
