For 10 eventful months, the 74 pupils of the recently relocated SJK (C) Damansara School had held on to their right to continue studying at the old site. For eight of the children, however, the 'struggle' ends this Sunday on a happy note as they will be graduating with the good news that their secondary education will be sponsored by Chinese education movement Dong Jiao Zong.

Dong Jiao Zong chief executive officer Bok Tai Hee said the organisation will fully sponsor the studies of those who have completed their primary schooling this month - all aged 12 - for the next six to seven years in Klang's Pin Hwa High School.

"Their parents supported the plan," said Bok, adding that the admission of the eight in the same school will make it easier for Dong Jiao Zong to monitor their progress.

He said the students had taken Pin Hwa's entrance examination. Three can move on to Form One while the remaining five will need to spend a year in Remove Class.

Dong Jiao Zong will also be running a special class for the students during the school holidays, he revealed.

"This 'holiday' class is to prepare them for secondary schooling."

On Sunday, the graduation ceremony will begin with the cleaning of the old school campus, followed by the arrival of the guests.

The Save Our School Committee, which has been campaigning for the re-opening of the old school, has requested the authorities to open the gates for the graduation ceremony. However, there has been no response from the Education Ministry.

Dong Jong chairperson Quek Suan Hiang, Jiao Zong deputy chairperson Loot Ting Yee and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall deputy president Tan Yew Sing are expected to attend the ceremony.

The remaining 66 students who have yet to complete their primary schooling, have vowed to continue their education there until their old school is reopened.

Makeshift classrooms

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

However, some parents were unsatisfied that there was no clear explanation on what would happen to the historic 70-year-old school and its abandoned site.

Hence, while most of the students moved as ordered, 74 students stayed put. Since their old school was sealed by the police, these students have had to continue their classes in makeshift classrooms at a neighbouring temple, later in containers.

The new building in Tropicana, Selangor, which was fully financed by the government unlike the norm, was built in a record time of seven months.