Malek Fahd Islamic School on brink of closure but board hopes court case can win a reprieve

IN A desperate attempt to remain open, Malek Fahd Islamic School has lodged a further court appeal, seeking the release of almost $5 million of Federal Government funding which has been withheld.

Dr Ziad Basyouny, based at Greenacre Medical Centre, has two daughters at Malek Fahd Islamic School. He has seen many patients suffering stress-related illnesses because of the cloud hanging over the school.

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IN A desperate attempt to remain open, Malek Fahd Islamic School has lodged a further court appeal, seeking the release of almost $5 million of Federal Government funding which has been withheld.

The Federal Court appeal will be heard tomorrow and requests that the Government provide four months’ worth of funding — about $4.8 million. It wants the money so it can continue to operate while awaiting the outcome of a court hearing appealing an Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision upholding the Government’s decision to withhold $19 million of annual funding.

The money was suspended following an audit which found the school’s former board, run by the Australian Federation of Islamic Council, was not spending all of the money on its students.

A meeting between education department officials and the new board was supposed to be held last Monday but it was postponed, leaving 2400 students at the Greenacre, Hoxton Park and Beaumont Hills campuses and their parents in limbo about whether the school would reopen after the holidays.

Students outside Malek Fahd Islamic School in Greenacre. The school might not reopen for Term 3.

Board chairman Dr John Bennett said they had lodged Tuesday’s appeal because it was “not reasonable to close the school when the court has not brought down its decision”.

“Our goal is to satisfy the Commonwealth that the school is compliant,” he said.

“We’re always confident, we’re doing everything we can to put things in place to ensure we can open in Term 3.”

If the school does not receive funds, it will go into voluntary administration but Dr Bennett said even then the school could operate, but it would be up to the administrator.

Meantime, many parents of students had contacted local Muslim, independent and public schools about places.

Greenacre-based GP, Dr Ziad Basyouny has two daughters at Malek Fahd and belongs to the Parent Advisory Committee. He is trying to find another Islamic school for his children.

“It’s obviously quite distressing. The kids like the school — they didn’t want to leave,” Dr Basyouny said.

MAN FATALLY SHOT ON THE CENTRAL COAST

He said he had treated many parents and students for panic attacks and anxiety.

“The impact is not a small impact, Malek Fahd has been in the community for a long, long time. There’s lots of alumni ... physiotherapists, doctors, teachers, lawyers,” he said.

“This is a great asset to the community because it was working towards enriching the professionals … suddenly you lose that door and it’s going to send some shockwaves.”