The apparent attempts to turn schools into "political hotbeds" are eroding confidence in national schools, says the Parent Action Group for Education (Page).

Page said this in reference to an Umno-themed decoration contest and play at SK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1), which saw students chanting "Hidup Umno" (Long live Umno) and waving flags of the party.

"It is regrettable that innocent schoolchildren are made pawns in political games that adults play.

"It now further confirms that all the efforts that the Education Ministry is undertaking to make national schools the first choice of parents are rapidly eroding," Page said in a statement today...