More flak for MBPJ Councillor - this time in NST

Centre and parents appeal to council for help Sheila Sri Priya

Parents of the children with learning disabilities are asking the PJ council to provide assistance to the Kairos centre instead of shutting it down.

PETALING JAYA: Parents are urging the Petaling Jaya City Council not to shut down the Kairos centre for children with learning disabilities.

They are also urging the council to assist the centre.

It was reported that the centre was not equipped with the proper facilities and teachers to teach children with special needs. Councillor T. Anthony said the centre was not run by professionals, and the children were taught using ordinary textbooks, The centre was also not accredited.

The council then rejected the centre's request to be registered under welfare homes. An evacuation notice was also issued.

One of the children's mothers, Helen Quah, who was in tears said: "My son is traumatised when he has to go to a normal school. He is happy at the centre and has lots of friends. He was always bullied by his peers at normal schools."

Another parent, Theresa San, said: "There's no mainstream school for children with learning disabilities. It is unfair to pick on schools that are trying to help them."

Joshua Chin has two children studying at the centre. His eight-year-old son Elliott Chin is autistic. He said the centre has excellent teachers who are good listeners. "I'm satisfied with them, he said.

Another upset parent, Monique Goh, said: "I challenge the councillor to care for my son for just one day. His statement has hurt us all and we urge the authority to give us a more rational councillor to serve the community."

The centre's head Rev. Rudy Lui said the centre was not a profit-making centre as claimed by the councillor.

"We charge a minimal fee that includes learning activities and meals.We are running this place solely on the parents' support and contributions," he said.

Lui claimed that when a proposal was sent to the Education Ministry to acredit the centre, they were told to go to the Welfare Department.

"The Welfare Department then directed us to get approval from the City Council, the Fire Department and the Health Ministry."

"We received positive feedback from the Fire Department and Health Ministry but the council has sent an inappropriate person to check on this centre. We hope the PJ mayor will look into the matter," he said.

The All Petaling Jaya, Selangor Residents Association Coalition, headed by Liew Wei Beng , Tengku Nazaruddin Tengku Zainudin, Mohd Umar Peer Mohd and political secretary Aloysius Francis Pinto, has highlighted the parents' concerns to the media and is urging the council to review its decision.

"The council should aid the centre instead of shutting it down," said Pinto.

"I have an autistic child and it is hard to find a good and affordable school," he added.

The centre has over 40 students and nine staff.