The Education Ministry should not expel the 67 students who refused to be transferred out of the controversial SJK (C) Damansara since they cannot be equated to those who have violated school discipline, said a leader of Dong Jiao Zong today.

Quak Suan Hiang, chairman of the Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong, expressed regret that ministry has responded to the protests against the relocation of the Chinese school with police action and threats of disciplinary action.

"The students have not been playing truant," said Quak. "They cannot enter their school simply because the school gate was locked. The Education Ministry should have been more professional in handling the issue."

According to Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh yesterday, Education Minister Musa Mohamed said that the 67 students would be expelled if they fail to report themselves at SJK (C) Puay Chai II by this Friday.

In January, students at the Damansara school were directed by the Education Ministry to temporarily transfer to SRJK (C) Puay Chai (II) - a few kilometres away - while awaiting the completion of a new school in Tropicana.

The authorities have been unable to provide clear explanations as to what would happen to the 70-year-old school and its abandoned site. The majority of the students have moved to Puay Chai (II) but 67 have stayed put.

They are presently continuing their classes at a neighbourhood temple since their old school has been sealed by the police.

Irrational policy

Quak also added that there are some schools which have only four students and yet staffed by a headmaster and a teacher.

"That is why no one can understand the reason for closing a school which has modern facilities," said the leader of the federation of Chinese schools' governors and teachers.

He pointed out that the policy closing down an old school and relocating it elsewhere is irrational.

"The authority should increase the number of schools based on the needs of the local community," he said.

Quak stressed that over the past 71 years, villagers who live around the site of the Damansara school had donated and painstakingly developed the school.

"No one can 'steal' the school from them," he said.

Meanwhile, advisor to the Action Committee To Save Old School, Ronnie Liu said there are certain guidelines which the Education Ministry must follow before the students can be expelled.

"The ministry has the right to expel a student if he or she fails to attend school for 30 days. However, the student will have to receive three warning letters from the ministry before he or she can be expelled," explained Liu.

However, he said that since the 67 students received only three notices from the school and not warning letters, technically the school cannot expel them.