style="text-transform: uppercase;">Kota Kinabalu: There are certain policies and administrative actions of the Education Ministry which are unfavourable to the wellbeing of mission schools although the Government has repeatedly affirmed that the schools are allowed to preserve their character and special identity.Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) President Rev Melter Tais said in view of the many challenges, there had been a wavering of convictions to fight on for the mission schools.

"These schools were established to provide education for all children, irrespective of race, religion and social status.

"Over the years, mission schools have cultivated special ethos, character and traditions that promote unity, love, person-centred education and compassion for the weak and poor.

"They have played a significant role in nation-building and this was recognised by the Government," he said in a keynote address at an education forum jointly organised by SCC and the Commission of Sabah Affairs (Cosa) at Sacred Heart Cathedral, here, recently.

As such, Melter said it is timely for the bishops to make the clarion call to all at the forum to rekindle their convictions and zeal to protect and care for the mission schools in order to ensure their future success and survival.

Some 450 participants attended the forum which aimed to identify key issues, challenges and opportunities in the present school system, with the aim of raising educational standards in Sabah.

Apart from Melter, the SCC exco was represented by Archbishop Datuk John Wong, Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong and Rev Dr Hii Kong Hock, while Pastor Chin Chi Kiong, Dr David Fung and Mr Matthew Chern represented Cosa.

The participants included Sabah Council of Christian Mission Schools exco members, Diocesan Education Commission members, governors of school boards, head teachers, senior assistants, teachers, lecturers, parents, clergy and parachurch workers.

The presence of Tay Choon Neo and Angeline Lazaroo of the Federation of Councils of Christian Mission Schools Malaysia (FCCMSM), Chan Kok Keong of the Regional La Salle Centre and Rev Alfred Tais, Secretary of the Bahasa Malaysia National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), added a national dimension to the event.

The day long forum started with the keynote address before the participants were separated into three tracks – pre-schools, primary schools and secondary schools, to listen to the presentations of working papers.

The papers were then discussed in groups and action plans for key issues drawn out to be forwarded as resolutions.

At the conclusion of the forum, Rev Johnny Wong, on behalf of SCC, and Pastor Chin Chi Kiong, on behalf of Cosa, jointly read the 26 resolutions presented to the forum and affirmed their commitment to champion them.