THE Federal Territories land and mines director’s explanation as to why the lease for Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) was not renewed, as reported by the media, is not convincing nor does it make any sense.  

Normally the FT land and mines office does not get involved in such type of  public deliberations nor does it make such  policy decisions. Such policy decisions are made by the cabinet after input from the relevant ministers as they involve the  continued role of mission schools in Malaysia. 

These matters are matters to be decided by  cabinet after extensive stakeholder discussions and not something the Federal Commissioner of land or the director of lands and mines are authorised to do on  their own. 

In fact the former various  ministers in charge of natural resources  at the relevant times should shed light on this matter as the application to renew the lease was allegedly made as reported in the media on October 4, 2017 and the rejection received on December 18, 2020 ( nearly three years later) . They should let the public know whether such an application was ever referred to them at all during their  tenure or if such a policy  decision made as the basis of rejecting the application especially since a  similar male mission school nearby had its lease extended 

It seems, from the media reports, the effective reason that they will not renew the lease is because they want to give the CBN school more  funds  by making it a fully aided school is certainly not a  convincing or  acceptable reason at all  for a school that has been operating fine on its own for 120 years despite being only partly funded by the government and yet expected to do national service and educate all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or economic status and without profit and fully in accordance with the government’s education  syllabus. 

Can the director of land and mines confirm if he informed the trustees of the school or the PTA that the government wanted to give them more money and upgrade their facilities if they gave up the land and agreed to the school being a fully funded school? 

Was such a letter issued or were there various meetings held to explain the situation to the school as would be expected of the government when dealing with a 120 year old school of national reputation. 

Please enlighten the public. After all such “generosity” was not extended to a similar boys mission school nearby or is this special treatment for girls schools only. 

Was the Ministry of Education involved in stakeholder dialogues?

Was the school even asked in writing if it could continue to run and educate Malaysians as it had done for 120 years according to the government’s standards without full funding? 

Surely this question would have to be asked before such a policy based decision was allegedly made.

Sadly there is no indication of this process which would be a legitimate expectation of the school if there was such a policy. 

Moreover such an alleged  policy is totally  without merit  and even if true, would be totally outdated because it is based on an  illogical distinction between fully aided and partially schools in 2021. 

This purported distinction ignores the basic fact that such schools are open to all Malaysians, irrespective of race and religion and the government syllabus is taught to all without discrimination.

The government  should fund all schools regardless of such a distinction where the school provides national education for all Malaysians  without profit according to government syllabus  and curriculum. 

Such schools were originally built with monies raised by the IJ Sisters and public donations and with no financial assistance from the government. 

The  dedication of educationists who made huge sacrifices, who devoted their lives to the education of  all Malaysians, especially the last, the lost and the least. 

Many MPs, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, parents and citizens have benefited greatly from their efforts  as has the whole nation. 

These mission schools have become some of the leading educational institutions in the country.  

Many even today owe their standing in life and society to the Sisters because of the sacrifices of these educationists. 

The education provided was wholesome, holistic and they instilled good moral values, loyalty and discipline in every student. 

It seems from this explanation, if it is to be believed, suggests that, as repayment and gratitude for their efforts the Sisters and educationists of CBN  who gave their all  to educate ten of thousands of Malaysians without salary or pension  at standards of excellence only dedicated educationists can do, are now told that the school will revert back to the government so they can repair the slope if and when it collapses or give them more money to upgrade.

This appears to be the thanks to them after 120 years of service but they can appeal to the federal commissioner of lands if the Sisters want a future role. I hope the government will realise the travesty and gross injustice that is being done and that it will renew the lease of CBN for a better Malaysia and the dedicated educationists who have fought so hard to educate our women, many of whom have since made tremendous contributions to nation building and society. 

It is not lost upon us that it seems that this is not the first partially funded girls school in Kuala Lumpur to suffer this fate. The government can no longer ignore this. – April 21, 2021.

* Derek Fernandez reads The Malaysian Insight.
 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.