SHAH ALAM, 22 May: The State Government will seek alternatives to address the housing problem faced by students of the Sekolah Bina Insan (SBI), which will be closed starting 2015.
The Executive Councillor for Education, Higher Learning and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali, said that the State Government suggests for parents who want to place their children in Islamic schools like SBI to register their children at Kolej Integrasi Tahfiz Tunas Ilmuan Selangor (KITTIS).
She said that there are parents still confused by thinking that SBI is a school built and managed by the State Government, but in fact, is fully managed by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (MAIS).
“Despite not being established by the State Government, parents have panicked because this school will be closed and about the fate of their children.
“In terms of operations, KUIS cannot run a school on its campus and MAIS does not have enough funds to continue to operate the school.
“It is understood that SBI will not accept new students starting 2015, however the existing students will continue their studies,” she told Selangor Kini.
Dr Halimah said that the school of 439 students, 21 classes and 50 staff members will not accept any entries starting 2015, but the existing students are allowed to finish their session.
“The State Government hopes that the offer given to their children to continue their studies at Maahad Tahfiz, which is managed by the State Government, will be considered.
“I hope there is no confusion that the State Government established a school which will be later closed, we have some other alternatives,” she said.
Recently, a local newspaper reported that SBI, which houses 400 form one to five students, will be closed at the end of this year because MAIS does not have funds to continue operations.
The school which has been operational since 2013 is partly funded by MAIS, in addition to revenue from students’ fees, however due to financial problems, MAIS decided to close the school.
