Aptitude for ineptitude

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, when contacted by the media, said that the matter should be handled by the district education office. – Bernama

THE controversy surrounding allegations that only Muslim students from an all-girls school were invited to an SPM workshop has naturally raised conjecture.

Let’s assume that it was a simple communication blunder and that there was no ill intent or malpractice. If indeed the workshop was meant for all students, regardless of race or religion, then the school could have announced the names of the participants for the two separate sessions right off the bat.

It would have evaded a torrent of accusations and misunderstandings. It would surely be helpful if an advisory was handed to students and parents, too, about another workshop dated Jan 26 and 27 scheduled for after the Chinese New Year celebrations.

If these details were announced, then it would enable the next batch of students to prepare.

It would also immediately dismiss allegations made by disgruntled parents. They would have no reason to make an issue of this.

But now, the second workshop, which should include non-Muslims, would seem like an afterthought or worse, a damage control exercise even if it wasn’t the case.

Last week, the Education Ministry issued a statement that there was no discrimination involved in the SPM workshop organised by SMK Infant Jesus Convent.

“Initial investigations found that the workshop was part of the many initiatives of the relevant parties to ensure that students, regardless of race, were able to make the necessary preparations for the SPM exams.

“The first of the workshops was held earlier on Jan 19 and 20 in a hotel and involved some 30 SPM candidates who had failed their Bahasa Melayu and History subjects as well as those who received ‘gagal-lulus’ (fail-pass) in some other subjects.

“The workshop was held separately based on sessions to avoid disturbing candidates who were preparing for CNY.

“The ministry was informed that the follow-up session for other students was slated to be held between Jan 26 and 27 at the same hotel,” the ministry said.

The Education Ministry is right to state that the school needs to improve communications to prevent such incidents from happening again.

But it shouldn’t just be the school that takes the rap for poor communications. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, the State Exco member for education, information and communications, Norliza Nor and the state education department could have easily done a better job. What’s glaring is they need better crisis management skills and response time.

None of them responded to the issue effectively until His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar made a statement soon after the controversy went viral.

By then, the tweet had made its rounds on social media, garnering more than 800 retweets and over 1,000 likes in less than 24 hours.

While our politicians kept mum and allowed the rumours to flourish, His Majesty the Sultan of Johor swiftly intervened and said no one should be left out of any public programme because of their race or religion.

“If it is true that there was racial segregation, then action must be taken against the organisers,” Tuanku said, adding that “the same can also be said if it is found that these allegations are proven false and spread by irresponsible parties.”

“This is also a lesson to all parties who must deal swiftly and firmly to quell public dissatisfaction,” said His Majesty via the Royal Press Office.

Fadhlina, when contacted by the media, said that the matter should be handled by the district education office.

It was a disappointing statement because it gave the impression that she was passing the buck to the state officials.

In the age of social media, where issues travel fast, we expect our officials to provide quick and convincing responses, and not merely sit on the issues believing they will resolve themselves.

Unfortunately, these issues won’t, and as the Sultan said, they must be dealt with to pacify society’s ire.

The four-paragraph statement posted by Norliza provided no worthy information except to display pictures of herself and officials huddled in a meeting.

If there’s a lesson to be learnt from this episode, it’s the need to be transparent, accountable and to be forthright in providing information, and the importance of engaging with stakeholders, which, in this case, include the students, parents, and the media, too.

In fact, some novice ministers regrettably still remain incommunicado to the media.In 2023, there’s just no excuse for inept communication given the available platforms.