Ambrose wants prompt action on issue of school principal

KOTA KINABALU: Umno Divisional Chief John Ambrose, who represents the Orang Asal heartland of Penampang in greater Kota Kinabalu, has urged the Sabah Education Department to revisit the appointment of a new Principal for SMK Limbanak, an overwhelmingly Christian school.

“There must be reasons why parents are not happy with the new principal,’ said Ambrose. “They have even gone to the extent of erecting banners at Kampung Limbanak and Kampung Kituau in Penampang. The banners have gone viral in the social media.”

He said the voice of the parents must be heard and that any misunderstanding be explained to them properly through the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).

The controversy which has arisen over the appointment of the new principal, cautioned Ambrose, should not be swept under the carpet.

“It should be resolved as quickly as possible so that parents will continue to have confidence in the school,” he said adding  that Sabah Education Director Maimunah Suhaibul should complete an investigation into the matter as soon as possible.

“I have received many text messages and WhatsApp (messages) from concerned parents. They fear that there were motives in appointing the new principal.”

Ambrose disclosed he would meet with members of the SMK Limbanak PTA and the District Education Office to get a clearer picture on how the controversy arose. He was also taking his cue from Penampang MP Darrel Leiking, who reportedly comes from Kampung Limbanak, and Moyog Assemblyman Terence Siambun, who both expressed concerns in the media on the matter and proposing a dialogue with the District Education Officer.

Among the issues that Ambrose hopes to take up, he added, were allegations that several good senior teachers in SMK Limbanak were due to be transferred to SMK Bahang in November after the matter had been put on hold in mid-April, and that all the teachers affected were non-Muslims. “It may be just coincidence and or there may be things that we don’t know. I have to find out.”

“The students should not be affected by this unnecessary distraction.”

The Education Department, continued Ambrose, would have to explain if there was a surplus of teachers at SMK Limbanak and hence the need to transfer some of them out. “If so, have the number of students in the school declined and the classes reduced?”

“In any case, transfers are normal in any government department. However, I believe that no one will go to the trouble of protesting if the transfers were done in good faith.”

Pictures of the banner erected along the road leading to Kampung Limbanak, near the school concerned, read: “We, the parents of students of SMK Limbanak, want the principal removed as she caused chaos and destroyed the school’s excellent track record.”

SMK Limbanak PTA Chairman, Isidore Lojiwa, said that his association would leave the matter with the Education Department to be resolved.

SMK Limbanak, which has about 1,500 students and 100 teachers, is one of four secondary schools in the Penampang District.

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