This week the Daily Telegraph reported that Sydney’s largest Islamic school Malek Fahd (the School) will be providing psychological support to students struggling to cope with the uncertainty of the School’s future.
We have previously reported on the School’s funding battle with both the Federal and State Education Departments stemming from allegations of financial mismanagement and governance issues. See our previous article Non-compliance notices issued to non-government Schools by the Federal Education Department.
The Daily Telegraph report is a reminder that while non-government schools have numerous governance and financial obligations that comprise both registration and funding requirements, a school’s primary role is to educate and care for its students.
The turbulent management of a school will impact on its financial future but can also severely impact the welfare of its students.
The School lost funding earlier this month after a Federal Government audit found that thousands of dollars of taxpayer funding was being sent to the School’s proprietor organisation the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), rather than being spent for the betterment of the School and its students.
There was a lengthy period of review, requested by the School, into the Federal Government’s decision to cut funding, however earlier this month the Government’s decision to withdraw Federal funding was reaffirmed. Funding to the School has now ceased due to non-compliance with the requirements of the Australian Education Act 2013 (Cth).
The School’s lawyer has confirmed, as reported by the ABC, that the School will remain open and will make an application to the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal to review the decision further, leaving the School’s community in a state of uncertainty. The School is working towards regaining Federal funding, however has reiterated that it has enough money to stay open for at least this term.
The fact that the School may only have enough funding to remain open for the current term is understandably creating an atmosphere of uncertainty amongst students. The possibility that their studies may be interrupted and having to go to a new school as a result of the School possibly closing will undoubtedly be elevating stress levels for students.
A group of the School’s alumni have stated that they will put into action a support program for pupils distressed by the uncertainty and drama resulting from media and government scrutiny of the School’s management. Alumni members have said that they saw a need after students came to them with psychological problems brought on by the turmoil. The Express reports that alumni member Dr Fariha Dib Kak has said: ‘I get calls on a daily basis. Teenagers are coming in with anxiety, chest pain and low mood.” Dr Kak said of the support program: “We are trying to dissolve some of their anxiety but at the same time provide them with support.’
Students will be offered personal counselling and mental health plans. Group sessions are also planned with four psychologists at an alumni member’s nearby medical practice already offering their services to the School’s students.
It is unsurprising that the prolonged period of intense media attention and threat of closure looming over the School has had an adverse effect on students. There are numerous financial, governance and general management issues that present a challenge for non-government schools across Australia, and managing all of these obligations can be an intensely difficult task for any school.
However, it is vital that schools remember their dominant role – to provide education and pastoral care to its students. The School’s plan to launch a support program for their students is a responsible and proactive approach considering that Dr Kak has stated that ‘while the majority are coping, there are a minority who are not coping.’
It is also a reminder that the provision of counselling services for students is essential to provide a safe and supportive environment for students, and a registration requirement for non-government schools in NSW under 3.6.2 of the Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and 5.6.2 of the Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual.
The Express understands that between 150 and 200 students have already left the School, however some hope to return if it is saved from closure. The School’s new interim board chairwoman Miriam Silva has announced a plan to prove to the Federal Government that the School now complies with Federal governance and financial regulations.
Ms Silva has also stated that the School plans to break away from the AFIC and will re-register as an independent non-government school. Ms Silva and Dr Kak both agree that beyond the politics, students are the School’s first priority.