We’ve become used to seeing schoolgirls, regardless of race and religion, opting to put on the baju kurung uniform rather than the colonial-style pinafore dress to school. One school in Cheras isn’t having it, though.
Lawrence Jayaraj, the father of a Form 3 student atending a Cheras school, was schocked that his daughter was told that only Malay-Muslim students at the school were allowed to wear the baju kurung – and was barred from attending classes when she turned up in one.
“I moved my kids from a school which was not on my way to work, to one that was. Beginning this year, we bought baju kurung because it was never an issue before this,” he told The Rakyat Post.
The school, which went unnamed, had consistently barred Jayaraj’s daughter from entering classes throughout this week for being a non-Malay-Muslim student wearing a baju kurung.
Jayaraj claims to have spoken to the Senior Assistant Principal iof the school to resolve the matter, but was merely told to seek 1Malaysia People’s Assistance (BR1M) money to help pay for brand-new uniforms for his daughter.
“We already spent the money and school uniforms are not cheap. I have seven kids to look after,” he said.
Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan was quick to respond to the case, but claimed to not have been informed of the matter. He advised concerned parents to lodge a report to the local District Education Office.
“If the matter is not sorted out at the District Education Office, then take it to the State Education Office and it should be sorted out by then.
“If it is not sorted out by the time it reaches the state level, I will get involved,” he promised.
