Parents get locked out trying to hold EGM

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: About 70 parents found themselves locked out of the school when they tried to convene an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to discuss the scrapping of the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy in 2012.

They had earlier obtained permission to hold the EGM at SMK Sri Hartamas but it was withdrawn on Friday.

The parents were forced to gather outside the school compound.

SMK Sri Hartamas parent-teacher association (PTA) vice-chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said she and the others only wanted to express their views and not protest.

The parents held banners and placards expressing support for the two subjects to be taught in English.

They also called on the Govern-ment to allow schools the freedom to select the medium of instruction which would benefit their students.

SMK Sri Hartamas PTA chairman Salmah Abu Bakar said that her association had adhered to the rule which requires seven days’ notice to hold an EGM by issuing a notice on July 31.

“We gave eight days’ notice but were still locked out.

“We are concerned parents, and should not be prevented from exercising our democratic rights,” she said.

Salmah said that while the teaching of Math and Science in English may not have worked for students in rural areas, many urban students were enjoying it and doing well.

A ballot count yesterday of a vote taken by 556 parents on the policy last week showed that 538 of them wanted the English medium of instruction for the two subjects while 15 rejected it. There were three spoilt votes.

SMK Sri Hartamas has a student population of 1,310.

Noor Azimah said that a letter expressing the PTA’s stand would be sent to the Prime Minister’s Depart-ment and the Education Ministry.

The school authorities declined to comment on the lockout.