Issue at SK St Thomas in Kuching settled, says head of Anglican Mission Schools

KUCHING: The issue of SK St Thomas here not being allowed to hold a khatam Al-Quran event has been amicably resolved following a meeting between state Education Department officers and the school authorities, says Anglican Mission Schools president Datuk Danald Jute (pic).

He said the event for Year Six Muslim pupils would be held at a nearby hotel as there was no suitable space in the school.

During the Jan 10 meeting, he said, the Education Department officers understood and accepted that the school authority felt "uncomfortable" about holding the event because the ill-equipped open-air school hall was not conducive for the purpose.

"The school did offer the organising committee the use of the bilik solat (prayer room) as an alternative venue. Having accepted this offer, they later retracted and declined it as being too small.

"With no conducive space within the school and encouraged by offers for help from several sources, including the school Parent-Teacher Association, the organisers decided to hold the ceremony at the nearby Merdeka Palace Hotel," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 16).

The issue went viral recently when a letter conveying the decision not to allow the event at the school was leaked on social media, attracting criticism and calls for clarification.

Danald, who is also Anglican Bishop of Kuching, denied accusations that the school was discriminatory and prejudiced over the issue.

"We know who we are. We stand for unity, harmony and understanding. It pains us to be painted as racist or anti-Islam because we are not," he said.

He also expressed disappointment that the internal memo between the diocesan education officer and school headmaster was leaked.

"We condemn such an irresponsible act," he said, adding that this was against the ethical use of social media by civil servants.

In addition, Danald said the Anglican mission schools had no issue with activities which were part of the curriculum and were also supportive of extracurricular activities involving Muslim students.

He said SK St Thomas had a long-standing tradition of contributing towards a united, harmonious and cohesive nation, especially in Sarawak where mutual understanding and respect were common among people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

To avoid future misunderstanding, he reiterated that SK St Thomas had its own ethos and character as a mission school.

"The Mission Authority, as the owner of the school, has full rights under the Education Act to manage and decide what may or may not be held within the school premises.

"The school board of management has the right to refuse the use of school premises for any purpose deemed incompatible with the school's ethos, character, ideals, traditions and essential identity," he said.