Two primary schools in Bau could be in trouble for defying directive from Education Department

Kuching (Dec 13, 2011): The headmasters of two primary schools in Bau district could be in trouble for defying a directive from the State Education Department pertaining to the distribution of cash to their pupils.

Instead of distributing the cash at their respective schools, the headmasters of SRK Kampung Atas and SK St Henry, Apar, allowed their pupils to receive the cash at REDEEMS Centre.

An district education officer handed over the cash to the pupils, in the presence of the headmasters, Tasik State Assemblyman Peter Nansian and Mas Gading member of parliament Dr Tiki Lafe.

A committee member of PKR Mas Gading branch, Willie Mongin, said the directive from the Education Department clearly stated that all headmasters must distribute the cash in their respective schools and within a specific time frame.

"They are not allowed to bring the cash to outside the schools, and what the two headmasters did was wrong and they clearly defied that directive," Willie said.

He said other school headmasters in Bau district were also asked to send their pupils to REDEEMS Centre, but they refused.

Willie asked Nansian whether he has a role to play in asking the headmasters to send their pupils to REDEEMS Centre to collect their cash, instead of at their respective schools.

"I am sure he has a lot to say on this," he said.

Willie was at REDEEMS Centre when the cash was distributed, and although Nansian, in his speech, did not talk about politics, he was trying to claim credit for it.

"It is possible that he (Nansian) did not politicise the distribution of cash because I happened to be around.

"But from what I know, he was trying to help Tiki to position himself in the eyes of the parents of the pupils. Unluckily, he did not succeed," Willie said.

"SPDP has already stated that Tiki would not be a candidate in the coming general election," he said.