Be prompt in settling utility bills, HMs advised
S PathmawathyPublished: Nov 25, 2010 10:32 AM | Updated: Nov 25, 2010 11:37 AM
The heads of government-aided schools must be prompt in settling their schools’ utility bills monthly before their power gets cut, advised Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong.
The heads of government-aided schools must be prompt in settling their schools’ utility bills monthly before their power gets cut, advised Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong.
Wee was responding to incidents in two schools in Kedah, SJK(C) Yoke Min at Sungai Dalam, Yan and SJK(C) Yik Min at Simpang Tiga, Sungai Limau where the authorities had disconnected their electricity supply.
The minister stressed that every government-aided school is allocated a yearly allowance that should be used to pay utility bills, among other things.
“As a headmaster you should be responsible towards your school and the welfare of your students,” said Wee (right).
“Your school should be managed the same way you manage your house,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby.
The plight of the two schools were highlighted by the Chinese media yesterday, quoting Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong, which claimed that the ministry is to be blamed for not providing funds to the respective schools.
Wee said the government should not be accused of discrimination when the funds have already been dispersed to the schools accordingly.
He explained that government-aided schools included Chinese primary schools, Tamil primary schools, mission schools and religious schools and all are given appropriate allocation of funds.
According to Wee (BN-Ayer Hitam), the ministry’s officials have checked on the schools and found out that the electricity bills for both schools have been in arrears since January.
‘HM had been on medical leave’
He said SKJ(C) Yoke Min owed Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) a total of RM900.
“We understand that for the first school the headmaster had been on medical leave for a month from October, and they have now settled their outstanding bill,” said Wee.
Meanwhile, SJK(C) Yik Min must settle RM2,837 to TNB to be reconnected.
“As for the second school, I have directed the state education director to look into the matter as it is illogical for a small school to have such a huge bill,” he said.
It is also understood that both schools are small, with fewer than 60 students each.
Wee said if there were any hanky-panky in the schools’ accounts, the ministry will not hesitate to take firm action.
He reminded all government schools’ administrative bodies that although allocations were provided for their utility bills, they should not waste scarce resources like water and electricity.
Wee was responding to incidents in two schools in Kedah, SJK(C) Yoke Min at Sungai Dalam, Yan and SJK(C) Yik Min at Simpang Tiga, Sungai Limau where the authorities had disconnected their electricity supply.
The minister stressed that every government-aided school is allocated a yearly allowance that should be used to pay utility bills, among other things.“As a headmaster you should be responsible towards your school and the welfare of your students,” said Wee (right).
“Your school should be managed the same way you manage your house,” he told reporters at the parliament lobby.
The plight of the two schools were highlighted by the Chinese media yesterday, quoting Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong, which claimed that the ministry is to be blamed for not providing funds to the respective schools.
Wee said the government should not be accused of discrimination when the funds have already been dispersed to the schools accordingly.
He explained that government-aided schools included Chinese primary schools, Tamil primary schools, mission schools and religious schools and all are given appropriate allocation of funds.
According to Wee (BN-Ayer Hitam), the ministry’s officials have checked on the schools and found out that the electricity bills for both schools have been in arrears since January.
‘HM had been on medical leave’
He said SKJ(C) Yoke Min owed Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) a total of RM900.
“We understand that for the first school the headmaster had been on medical leave for a month from October, and they have now settled their outstanding bill,” said Wee.
Meanwhile, SJK(C) Yik Min must settle RM2,837 to TNB to be reconnected.
“As for the second school, I have directed the state education director to look into the matter as it is illogical for a small school to have such a huge bill,” he said.
It is also understood that both schools are small, with fewer than 60 students each.
Wee said if there were any hanky-panky in the schools’ accounts, the ministry will not hesitate to take firm action.
He reminded all government schools’ administrative bodies that although allocations were provided for their utility bills, they should not waste scarce resources like water and electricity.
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