Ministry ready to absorb students from school for the deaf

From: Star, Malaysia - Jul 18, 2003

PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is ready and willing to absorb the 35 special needs students from the privately-owned Selangor School for the Deaf, should the school fail to raise funds to continue operation.

Deputy director-general of education (private education) Mohd Nordin Awang Mat said he was aware of the school's dilemma but the ministry could not offer any financial aid as the school was a private entity.

“Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Shah Alam will be able to accommodate the primary school students while there are a few secondary schools in the Klang Valley that can take in the secondary level students,” he told The Star in response to a report yesterday that the Selangor School for the Deaf in SS5 Seaport was under threat of being shut down due to financial woes.

School principal Saadiah Ahmad said there were unpaid utility bills that had accumulated over the months that needed to be settled, plus maintenance work that needed to be done.

The students are not charged any fees as it has been the school's principle to provide free education.

Saadiah added that many of the students come from poor families, making the situation all the more painful to bear should the school shut down.

The Star Brats, a community project by The Star , plans to raise money to help the school through its Annual Charity Fair. Together with Northwest Cherry, the fair will be held at the Giant Hypermarket in USJ1 on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Those who wish to help the school directly can contact 03-7804-2897.

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