Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The National Parent–Teacher Association (PTA) has opposed the idea of opening public schools to children ofrefugees in Malaysia, “Freemalaysiatoday” newspaper reported on January 10.
If refugee children who come from different countries areallowed to attend public schools, cultural differences could create problems,said the PTA, adding that the government should hire teachers to teach them atrefugee camps and settlements.
PTA Chairman Mohamad Ali Hassan said sending teachers torefugee camps would keep the cost low. He also suggested that the governmentshould seek a practical way to educate every kid without incurring high costs.
Most of 300,000 refugee children in Malaysia come fromIndonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines.
According to the Malaysian Government’s regulations,stateless children are not allowed to go to public schools. Apart fromeducational disadvantages, they also face risks of being recruited by criminalgangs.-VNA