After nearly five years, the Education Ministry has for the first time responded to the appeals by the SRJK(C) Damansara Save Our School (SOS) committee.

In a letter dated Sept 27, the ministry said it will study the committee's request to reopen the 75-year-old school and take the appropriate actions.

The letter, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini , was from Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein's special assistant, Faisal Ismail Aziz.

In a statement yesterday, committee chairperson Yong Yoke Sung said for this year alone, they have sent seven appeal letters to the ministry.

He added that the committee replied Ismail's letter on Sept 28 and requested for a meeting with ministry officials.

Yong also expressed hope that the issue could be resolved as soon as possible so that the children in Section 17, Petaling Jaya can return to the school.

Good condition

SRJK(C) Damansara, built in 1930, is the only Chinese primary school in the area.

"The majority of the population in the area are Chinese. The development of new housing estates in the area in the past few years has boosted the population as well as the demand for Chinese primary schools," said Yong.

He added that although the school has been abandoned for nearly five years, the committee has been cleaning the premises on a monthly basis.

"The school is still in good condition. It has a concrete building, a multi-purpose hall, administrative office and others. The committee hopes it won't be abandoned," he said.

The school was relocated by the ministry in 2001, much to the chagrin of some parents and educationists.

Refusing to move their children, the disgruntled parents and supporters formed the committee. Since then, classes have been conducted in air-conditioned containers placed in a neighbouring temple.

The makeshift school now has of 51 students, 11 teachers and one headmaster.