I like any Malaysians had look forward to improvement in Public Services and delivery mechanism from the Government agencies especially after the rhetoric promises from the Prime Minister in the previous General Election pledge. However, as the saying goes, it all needs a single dirty spot to taint the overall image or perhaps too dirty now.
Had applied for a 5 year old whom had been in the kindergarten for 2 years to be admitted into Year 1 in 2008 and this kid had his date of birth 2 days away from the cut-off date of January 2nd. Was given hope that such application would normally be entertained since it's a matter of few days and was directed to submit application to Kementerian Pelajaran - Unit Sekolah Rendah in early 2007.
Waited but there was no reply till we made a trip to Jalan Duta offices to enquire on the status and requisite. Only then we were told that this kid would have to seat for the aptitude test at a date, venue and time to be notified later. Was also requested to submit stamp self addressed envelope for reply to be sent.
Patiently waited like typical Government offices service levels and finally in early August 2007, received a letter requesting for attendance in the aptitude test in a Kuala Lumpur school where approximately another 20 other kids of same age were to undergo the test. We were told to wait till mid-October 2007 for the result which would provide parents sufficient time to plan for the kids education and school.
Again, the snail's pace of processing sets-in as we diligently called in mid-October to enquire the results and was told that the results would only be known in November 2007. I would think such a simple test and result would require 3 months to decide!!!!
November 2007 arrived and like any concern parent, we decided to call again and this time guess what? Results will only be known on December 15,2007 and they are waiting for Minister of Education to sign. My thoughts are this would be the last time I'm calling and with them giving a specific date, this would still allow me enough time to plan my child's education. At the sametime, I was thinking if our Ministers really do have so much time looking into these little results or the Minister do not trust his/her subordinates. The answer lies with these jokers! Whatever the reasons are, it is sheer frustrating to listen so better not tell.
December 15, 2007 was a Saturday and thought would call on December 17 (Monday). Again was told that the results are not out yet and we as parents given the run around with so little time to plan on next course of action for our kid is not funny! This time was told it is in the Minister's office for signing and given the year-end holidays, we were dead worried if there were any school with available places for my kid.
Finally, couldn't wait any longer decided to call again on December 27 at 8:30am sharp. Operator transfered the call to Unit Sekolah Rendah but no one answered. Called again at 9am and was told to call back at 10am. Why call back at 10am? Called back at 11am and was told by operator the line is busy and to present myself at their offices to enquire which truly trigger the madness in me which I had patiently held back since August 2007.
Had insisted on the operator that I hold on till there is an available extension line but she says I can;t hold on. Again I insisted if she could look carefully again if there is an extension and truly, there are lines available to Unit Sekolah Rendah. Only then I managed to speak to one Mr Chen whom then immediately referred to the results and told me my kid is not successful. I asked for an official letter and was told it will be posted which I can expect to receive after school re-opens in January 2008. After going through such treatment, I would expect to receive the letter in December 2008 to be politically correct.
I will frame and keep the letter from Ministry for my kid as remembrance of this inefficient process and do hope that in future, his kids would not go through this buat susah rakyat procedures.
So many questions to be asked here;
(a) why Minister of Education have to endorse the results?
(b) why the results have to go through a long period of time to produce?
(c) is the so Minister busy or he does not trust his subordinates?
(d) are the schools multi-racial composition being worked out?
(e) insufficient places in schools available?
(f) does the Minister and Education Department willing to help place my kid school should no
schools have places for him?
(g) what would have happened had I not call the Education Department to enquire?
(h) what was the whole Piagam Pelanggan all about then?
For whatever reasons, a simple test took the Ministry of Education 4 months to produce the results!!!!!! Betul-betul menyusahkan rakyat!
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