Children without birth certificates should be accepted in schools - Ahmad Bashah

All children in Kedah are eligible for proper education at primary schools even if they do not have birth certificates said Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

Ahmad Bashah said such a directive had already been issued by the Education Ministry but probably some district education offices have yet to receive the directive.

"The ministry had already issued a directive because end of the day we do not want children to become victims. Even if they don't have a birth certificate, they can go to school.

"We understand that some children do not have birth certificate for various reasons but there is a specific form that need to be filled by their next-of-kin," he told reporters after presenting land titles to Felcra Pulau Belantek and Bandar Beris Jaya settlers here Wednesday.

Ahmad Bashah was speaking to reporters when asked to comment about a seven-year-old boy from Changlun who could not be accepted for the current school session because he did not have a birth certificate. --Bernama