Parents of the standard six students studying at the original site of SJK (C) Damansara wanted a confirmation on the status of their children following an announcement by the Education Ministry that the students are allowed to sit for their Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

Several concerned parents, led by the secretary of the Save Our School committee — a lobby group for the original school — Tommy Chin, went to the new SJK (C) Damansara in Petaling Jaya today to see the headmistress on the matter.

However, they were unable to meet the headmistress as she was not in school. Not many people are seen in the vicinity of the school as it is currently a school break.

Nevertheless, the headmistress left a message for the parents of the nine students concerned informing them that the issue has been settled.

Senior assistant Tan Lai Hoong conveyed the headmistress' message which was scribbled on a piece of paper to the group.

According to Tan, the students are already registered by the ministry. "There should be no problem [for the nine students to sit for the UPSR]," she said.

Chin then left with the group but not after requesting an office worker to convey a message for the headmistress to contact him.

Not recognised

The students' applications to sit for the UPSR were initially rejected by the Selangor education department on the grounds that the original school where the students are studying was "not recognised" by the government.

However, Education Minister Musa Mohamed said on March 29 that the students would be allowed to sit for the exam if they submit an appeal letter to the Selangor education department.

Last Friday, Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim announced that the students are allowed to sit for the UPSR to the press in his Kuala Lumpur office. Petaling Jaya member of parliament Chew Mei Fun was also present at the press conference.

According to Chin, the parents are not sure if the authorities had indeed approved the students' registration to sit for the exam although the media reports carried the verbal assurance by Hon.

Chin was also quoted by malaysiakini last week as saying that the concerned parents and the lobby group were not called to attend the press conference when Hon made the announcement.

Pay exam fees

"We are afraid that the students are not registered when the time [to sit for the exams] comes," Chin said.

He explained that while the parents trusted the assurance given by the authorities, they just want to be sure and pay for the exam registration fees.

The controversy over SJK(C) Damansara started when the Chinese primary school — the only one in Damansara — was closed down and relocated to a nearby site in Tropicana last year.

A group of 59 students are still studying in air-conditioned containers which have been converted into classrooms in the grounds of a temple near the original school.