The NGO Proham has called on the federal government to fund all schools equally and not discriminate against them, whether these are vernacular, mission or Islamic schools.

"Education must be treated as a fundamental human right and it is the duty and obligation of the minister of education to ensure this.

hamdan adnan interview 280706 talking "Therefore, there can be no discrimination in the allocation of public funds," Proham deputy chairman Hamdan Adnan ( left ) said in a statement today.

Proham is an organisation formed by and made up of former commissioners of the Human Rights Commission.

Hamdan made the statement in response to exposure in the Auditor-General's Report 2011 about poor management of 24 Johor government-aided Islamic schools, which was reported yesterday.

"Proham expresses deep concern over the state of neglect of the 24 Johor government-aided Islamic schools that operate out of the community halls, surau and shoplots, while others remain in dilapidated buildings," he said.

Hamdan noted that the federal government provided full funding for national schools but only partial funding for vernacular schools, mission schools and Islamic schools, even though these were also regarded as national schools.

'Treat all schools as fully-funded public schools'

He therefore proposed that the government fully funds all the other schools as well in order for all schools to be equipped with basic amenities and to serve as a conducive environment for students to learn.

"Proham recommends that all these schools be treated as fully-funded public schools that must have all the basic facilities and the quality of teaching-learning experience, along with adopting a national curriculum and national interest such as commitment to the national language requirements and national unity emphasis."

Hamdan said the New Education Blueprint should incorporate specific recommendations to ensure that all schools receive adequate funds equally.

The audit report revealed that the 24 Islamic schools in Johor have run out of space to accommodate students, were lacking in basic infrastructure, with furniture and teachers in short supply and the buildings were also in need of repair.

In response, the Johor Islamic Affairs Department said the poor infrastructure was due to a ,lack of funding to the extent that the department had to seek funds from the Johor Islamic Council.