LETTERS: I want to highlight the difficulties faced by students trying to register for the Bible Knowledge 9221, Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia paper.
School heads would demand proof that they have a qualified teacher for the subject and that they would do well in the exam.
The students are also told to get official letters from the churches or centres where they are studying the subject.
Some teachers were even asked to give students a test and send the results to the school before the students are allowed to register for the subject.
The reason given is that the principals do not want these students to bring down the schools' passing rate.
This unhealthy competition among school heads to attain or maintain a prestigious status results in students being deprived of the opportunity to study elective subjects.
These demands by school officials go against the basic principles of education and also our government's desire to encourage religious and moral values among students.
I urge the Education Ministry to ensure that principals are well-informed that it is the students' right to take any elective SPM paper they desire, within the limit of the number of elective papers allowed.
They may prepare for the elective paper with or without a formal teacher.
Principals and other school officials have no right to place any restrictions or discourage students from taking the Bible Knowledge paper or any other elective paper.
Urgent action is needed as students are now registering for the coming SPM examination.
DR PETER JOSEPH PEREIRA
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times