KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has clarified that school canteens will remain open for non-muslim students.
Responding to a question from Temerloh member of parliament Salamiah Mohd Noron on whether school canteens that would remain operational during Ramadan, Fadhlina said the directive was stated in the School Cafeteria Management Circular.
According to the circular, canteens need to remain open throughout school operation hours.
"I do not want non-Muslim students to eat in a storeroom or inappropriate places, especially when all schools have canteens.
"Therefore, they should go to the canteens to eat."
"This is not a new policy and it is specifically for schools with non-Muslim students. This issue was also raised last year," she said.
Meanwhile, she took a swipe at Salamiah over her claims that vernacular schools follow a different syllabus and language.
"Temerloh's misunderstanding of vernacular schools is concerning. It shows a lack of understanding of what these schools represent.
"Vernacular schools are recognised under the Education Act 1996, to enhance proficiency in students' mother tongues.
"The syllabus for all schools is set and approved by the Education Ministry. Therefore, the claim that vernacular schools have a different syllabus is incorrect.
"I urge not to levy such 'ghuluw' (excessive) accusations in the Dewan Rakyat without substantiated facts," she said, in response to Salamiah's claims.
In her question, Salamiah claimed that vernacular schools operate under a syllabus distinct from that of national schools.