SUNGAI PETANI: Parents of primary school pupils here are calling on the Education Ministry to review the decision to convert SMK Khir Johari (SMKKJ) into a Form 6 College.
They say phasing out Forms 1 to 5 in SMKKJ to make way for a Form 6 College since 2022, was done without consulting them.
Makbul Ilahi Hashim, the chairman of Sungai Petani Residents to Defend Form 1 to Form 5 Mainstream Education in SMKKJ, said closing the school's Form 1 enrolment inconvenienced students and parents.
"Parents are forced to send their children to other secondary schools in Sungai Petani," he told reporters during a peaceful protest here today.
"As result, classrooms in the other secondary schools are overcrowded, (and the longer journey to school caused) besides causing additional burden to the parents, most of whom are B40 families.
"This is affecting the students' quality of education, resulting in the spike of truancy, school drop-outs and bullying cases," he said.
Makbul said parents did not object to enhancing Form 6 education at SMKKJ, but it should not be at the expense of students in Forms 1 to 5.
He also denied claims that the parents had agreed to the decision when it was made in 2021.
"The decision was made in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was done without consulting the parents as we can't hold a physical meeting during the period.
"We demand to see documents to support claims that the decision was made with the consent of majority parents," he said.
Makbul said they have raised the matter to Sungai Petani member of Parliament Dr Taufiq Johari recently.
"We have collected more than 5,000 signatures in a memorandum to demand for the reinstatement of Forms 1 to 5 in SMKKJ. We hope Dr Taufiq will raise this issue to the Education Ministry," he said.
Lawyer Mohd Amirul Ramli, who is the legal adviser to the committee, said the move had denied children quality education due to overcrowding in classrooms.
"Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has expressed her commitment to resolve overcrowding in classes, but the move has ironically led towards overcrowding at other secondary schools in Sungai Petani," he said.
Former SMKKJ teacher Anwar Abu Bakar said it was unfair for local residents to be burdened with the decision given that it is the sole parliamentary seat won by Pakatan Harapan in Kedah during the 15th General Election in 2022.
"We are calling on the unity government to reinstate the rights of children in Sungai Petani to study in Forms 1 to 5 at SMKKJ, while the Form 6 classes could co-exist there," said the retiree, who is also the action committee's secretary.
Mohd Zaidi Murad, 50, said he has to drive an additional 30 minutes to send his child to SMK Tunku Ismail daily, although SMKKJ was near their home.
"We have to face rush hour traffic in the morning and in the evening over the past two years. This is unnecessary because SMKKJ is near our home," he said.
On June 29, Dr Taufiq said he would consult all stakeholders over the grouses raised by the parents.