Education Ministry: Vernacular schools can accept donations through school boards

Vernacular schools can accept donations if it went through School Management Boards (LPS) and foundations, said the Education Ministry. 

On the same note, the guidelines that prohibit accepting donations from sources such as gambling, tobacco, drugs, and alcohol would remain unchanged. 

“The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday agreed to maintain the existing guidelines, which include prohibiting the display and promotion of alcoholic beverages within school premises for donation activities.

“At the same time, the Cabinet also decided to consider allowing vernacular schools to receive donations through the LPS and foundations, as has been practiced in previous administrations and never contested,” the ministry said via a statement. 

The cabinet stressed the sponsorship of activities involving alcoholic beverage brands must not involve muslim students.

Recently a controversy erupted when a viral photo showed Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu at a school charity event sponsored by Tiger Beer. 

The event occurred  at SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Sepang.

In response, the Education Ministry issued a reminder on July 22, reinforcing that educational institutions must adhere to existing guidelines for organizing programs and accepting donations. 

These guidelines prohibit donations from sources such as gambling, tobacco, drugs, and alcohol to safeguard students’ intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

On July 24, Seremban MP Anthony Loke discussed with the Cabinet the possibility of revising the guideline that bans donations from tobacco and alcohol sales