Children of couple detained in Sweden begin school today

KOTA BARU (Feb 9, 2014): The four children of Malaysian couple Tourism Malaysia officer Azizul Raheem Awalludin and teacher Shalwati Norshal, who were brought back to the country following their parents' detention in Sweden, begin school here today.
The oldest, Aishah Azizul Raheem, 14; and brother Ammar, 12, are in Form 3 and Form 1, respectively, at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Kala, while the younger siblings, Adam, 11; and Arif, 7, are in Year 6 and Year 2, respectively, at Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Kala.
The schools are located near their aunt's house, where the children are now staying, at Kampung Wakaf Tok Wali here.
Kelantan Education director Hussain Awang was at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Kala, where he presented text books to Aishah and Ammar.
Aishah, when met before entering her class, said she and her siblings were happy to be at school, though nervous about not being able to adapt to the new environment.
"We woke up at 6am and were very anxious to go to school, although I was nervous for myself and also my younger siblings of not being able to fit in at the new school.
"But, when I arrived at school and see the students, the nervousness and fear disappear," she added.
Earlier, Hussain, when addressing the assembly at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Kala, said he hoped the students would assist the new students to adapt to their new life at the school.
Meanwhile, Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Kala headmaster, Ab. Aziz Salleh, said the school had appointed a coordinating teacher and two other teachers to monitor Adam and Alif's progress.
"The coordinating teacher will monitor their progress in terms of language and communication with other students at the school, will the other two teachers are counsellor teachers," he added.
He said the school would hold extra classes for Adam and Aliff to teach them the Malay language. The children's uncle, Badrul Hisham Mahzan, 55, who accompanied the children to the school, thanked all quarters for their assistance which had enabled his niece and nephews to continue with schooling here.
He said photographs and newspaper cuttings on the children had been sent to their parents in Sweden through their lawyers.
Azizul, the Tourism Malaysia officer in Sweden and Norshal, who is on unpaid leave, were detained by the Swedish authorities for allegedly hitting the hand of one of their sons for not praying. – Bernama