IPOH: Reports of a school allegedly operating for Rohingya children in Kampung Ladang Titian, Terengganu, will be investigated by the relevant authorities, says Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh (pic).
He said the matter does not fall under the Education Ministry’s jurisdiction and should be handled by the relevant enforcement agencies.
“Schools under the ministry operate in accordance with the Education Act.
“The establishment and operation of schools are governed by the Act, and no school can be set up without the necessary approvals,” he told reporters after attending the 69th Academic Excellence Award Ceremony at SMJK Ave Maria Convent here yesterday.
“The ministry will leave it to the authorities to take the necessary action.”
Wong was asked to comment on a school for Rohingya children following reports that local residents are concerned over its legal status, monitoring and security.
The premises is believed to have been operating as an education centre since February, accommodating between 30 and 50 Rohingya children aged four to 15.
Separately, Wong said the RM100 Buku Madani voucher for secondary school and tertiary students is expected to be rolled out in July, benefiting 2,087,143 students nationwide with an allocation of RM210mil.
He said the vouchers would be distributed digitally through an online platform managed by Perbadanan Kota Buku under the ministry.
“Every student from Form One onwards under the Education Ministry, including those in Form Six, matriculation colleges and institutes of teacher education, will receive RM100 each,” he said.
Wong said physical book vouchers were discontinued following complaints that some recipients sold them at discounted rates in exchange for cash instead of using them to purchase books.
“We do not want that to happen again.
“That is why the ministry introduced a digital platform in 2024,” he added.
During the event, Wong also presented an allocation of RM50,000 to the school for upgrading works, with the projects to be determined by the students.
