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Ramkarpal: Why change name of St Thomas schools in Kuantan?

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DAP MP wants education ministry to explain if the name of the primary and secondary schools, which trace their history to the 1950s, has been deemed ‘no longer suitable’.

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PETALING JAYA:
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has called on the education ministry to confirm if the name of the historic St Thomas primary and secondary schools in Kuantan will be changed as reportedly announced by a Pahang state executive councillor.

The DAP legislator said removing the original name would make the schools lose their identities as people might no longer equate them with their historical roles as leading missionary schools on the east coast.

He said he found it baffling that the name “St Thomas” could be deemed “no longer suitable” as was claimed.

“I find nothing wrong with the new proposed name of the schools, but am unable to understand why the original name is ‘no longer suitable’,” he said in a statement today.

He asked what evidence had been gathered to suggest that it was not appropriate.

The Star today reported that the two schools would have their name changed to Sekolah Mahkota Abdullah once they are relocated to a new building.

It quoted Pahang state health, human resources and special functions committee chairman Norol Azali Sulaiman as saying that the education department had deemed “St Thomas” to be no longer suitable.

Ramkarpal said the identities of missionary schools such as St Thomas ought to be preserved as they had contributed significantly to the cause of education in the country, while also being part of Malaysia’s heritage.

“I am sure most alumni of the school would be against the idea of changing its name, much like the recent uproar in Penang when news of the possible closure of the oldest convent in the country, Convent Light Street came to light,” he said.

He questioned if proper surveys were conducted to determine if the name was indeed unsuitable, such as consultations with the school’s alumni or with the parent-teacher association.

“It is hoped that the matter will be given due consideration and a response given urgently as every effort must be taken to preserve the brand that is St Thomas,” he said.

Hailing them as among the premier missionary schools in Malaysia, Ramkarpal said St Thomas primary school was established in 1950 by Rev Father Louis Guittat and was declared a fully-aided school in 1953 before being taken over by the Brothers of St Gabriel in 1960.

He said they boasted notable alumni, including Pahang royalty such as the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and his younger brother Tengku Muda of Pahang, Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah.

“It is, therefore, obvious that the said schools enjoy a rich historical significance not only in Kuantan but in the country, along the ranks of other missionary schools such as St Xavier’s Institution (Penang) and St Michael’s Institution (Perak),” he said.

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https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/12/24/three-mission-schools-to-be-torn-down/

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