THE Education Ministry’s directive for school canteens to remain open during Ramadan should not be made into an issue, says its Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

She pointed out that a similar directive was sent out during the fasting month last year.

As such, she said that canteens would stay open, particularly in schools which have non-Muslim students.

“A reminder of this was contained in a circular that canteens are to remain open when schools are in session,” she said when winding up her ministerial replies on the motion of thanks on the royal address.

On Tuesday, PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya decried the move as “excessive” and added that the minister was hasty in issuing such a directive which could appear as though there was no respect for the fasting month.Non-Muslim students could bring their own food and eat at a permitted space, he said in a statement.

However, Fadhlina held a different view, saying: “I do not want to have the optics of non-Muslim students having to take their meals in a storeroom or at inappropriate areas; when there are canteens available for them.”

On a separate matter, Fadhlina also defended vernacular schools’ right to exist.

She said these schools follow a syllabus under the Education Ministry.

Replying to Salamiah Mohd Nor (PN-Temerloh) about these schools facing problems because they adopted a different syllabus, Fadhlina said: “What different syllabus? Such unfounded and extreme allegations should not be raised in the august House without facts,” she said.

She stressed that the existence of vernacular schools was recognised under the Education Act, adding that it was also upheld in a court ruling last month.

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) interjected to laud Fadhlina for her responseon the issues regarding the opening of school canteens during the fasting month and vernacular schools.

“Your stand is very clear on these two issues.

“The existence of vernacular schools should not be called to question as it is based on the Constitution,” he said.