ANOTHER BREAKING NEWS - meeting with parents on 9th August

I received a circular from the school this week whereby the PIBG has initiated a meeting on the 9th August between the parents and the Pengetua to resolve and to clarify all issues related to the school. I am very happy that this is being organised as for the 1st time, there will be a direct contact and communication between the Pengetua and the parents.

Parents who have issues and questions, please put it forward and also attend this meeting which I hope will end all the dissatisfaction among parents, students as well as the teachers in the school.

A message to the parents attending the meeting, please note the Pengetua has taken the effort to meet up with us. So let's give her a chance to explain the issues and all time we must remain calm and not get emotional.

To the Pengetua - please ensure you attend the whole meeting and not leave it to the PIBG and teachers to answer the questions raised. The parents are very rational people and once you gain their confidence, you will have their support as evidenced from the efforts they have given to the previous and 1st Pengetua.

BREAKING NEWS: - PIBG Representative wanted to call Police as a warning to Parents.

After I reported on the 1st Majlis Suaikenal whereby only 8 parents attended, I have little hope for the 2nd meeting to be better. I was expecting an attendance of less than 8 but was I wrong?

On the morning of 19th July, a handful of parents met outside the SMKBUD4 School to hand out a pamphlet to other parents who were attending the SuaiKenal that has been organized by the Pengetua. The objective of the pamphlets were to create awareness amongst concerned parents regarding the mounting issues facing the school as well as to request the Pengetua to transfer if she is unable to perform her duties for the betterment of the students. This handout of pamphlets was seen by Ms Karamjit as she was coming to the school. It seems that Ms Karamjit was way too defensive over this matter and over reacted on the situation.

As the group was walking towards the meeting room, Ms Karamjit came marching towards it and started shouting on top of her voice, saying, “call off the meeting as these parents are trying to remove the Pengetua!" A lady from PIBG came out and soften the commotion and to start the meeting as fast as possible as it’s a Saturday and parents have voiced up that they given up their time to be there.

Amazingly, this lady by name of Rose Aidura (whom I mentioned earlier before) is the CEO of the whole meeting. She is the head of discipline, welfare and safety, and kept on reiterating to all the parents that they must keep their questions to the day's agenda which she had set. Should anyone bring up items unrelated, she wanted the person/s to clear out of the room if not, should the situation arises, she will not hesitate to call the police to remove them. This was totally uncalled for – imagine a representative from PIBG threatening the parents. By the way Ms Rose Aidure – don’t forget the PIBG is the bridge between the parents and the school and NOT a tool for the school to attack the parents.

As expected the Pengetua was no where in sight and the attendance that morning were more than 30 parents (now you know why the Pengetua was missing).

My question here is this,

1. Did any of the parents misbehaved or lost their temper that morning. Does it warrant a threat whereby Rose Aidura has to use the words “I will call the police” Could she be more civilized by saying? “I will take your matter up with the Pengetua but in the meantime let’s stick to the agenda we have in hand as we have limited time here” She was arrogant, bossy and thinks she is the Pengetua. Like one of the parents had posted, she is more of a POISON IVY rather than a rose.
2. Why did Puan Karamjit have to shout in anger “let’s call the meeting off”? She is a teacher and a teacher should have behaved in a way whereby the parents would have respected her. She could have spoke nicely to the parents and say “let’s follow our agenda and not over react, we will take your questions up with the Pengetua separately” She would have gained more respect by this method of approach rather than running towards the meeting room and shouting like that. I am sure Ms Karamjit has a copy of the questions posted by the parents? Are those questions factual or was it fabricated? If you think it’s fabricated, then read on below:-
   
   The most important element that morning was missing – WHERE WAS THE PENGETUA? Isn’t she the person who set the time table to meet the parents as stated in the newsletter? SO WHERE IS SHE?
   

The parents will not accept any excuse this time as this meeting has been planned weeks ago and it was the Pengetua and NOT the parents who set the date. The parents took the Saturday morning off just to be able to meet and resolve issues with the Pengetua. In the end it was the Pengetua who went missing and only showed up at the very end of the meeting. As someone has posted earlier – she probably received an SMS that the meeting was about to end so she just turned up and showed her face. If she has the courage and attended the full meeting, I am sure that many of the parents would have respected her and would even support her. Instead she hid from the parents and continue to play a “cat and mouse” game. So can you blame us parents for being totally annoyed with her (Hello Ms Karamjit – who is at fault here? – Parents or the Pengetua?) Like the saying goes if you are innocent –you fear no one.

The questions posted on the pamphlets are still unanswered? This will go on and go and will never end. One cannot continue to sweep dust under the carpet because eventually someone will notice it. One cannot hide forever for the truth will hunt us down. The parents only wanted a good education for their children and the solution is to resolve the issues stated in the questionnaire. Instead they have been conned into a meeting whereby only a fix agenda was allowed thus hiding and covering the dirt that still lies below.

• Why are the students complaining that the teachers are reading from the text books and NOT actually teaching.
• Why are there so many free classes nowadays?
• Are there sufficient teachers in the school?
  

Lastly, there are those that said that the parents fabricated all these questions to get rid of the Pengetua. Ok here is a simple question:

Why is the Pengetua afraid to face the parents? Was it fact or fabrication that she conveniently make herself unavailable during the following.

1. Hari Bakat - which she has changed from Malam Bakat
2. Hari Temu Mesra (this is an important day whereby parents come to get their children’s report card)
3. All the soccer tournaments especially at the quarter finals, semi finals and even the finals.
4. Cheerleaders' competition (both days)
5. And her very own creation the great MAJLIS SUAIKENAL (only appearing at the last minute – we don’t fabricate, we report the truth). She attended the 1st when there were only 8 parents present but NOT the second when there were over 30 parents.
   

So Puan Pengetua, the Form 1 and 2 parents are scheduled on the 10th August. Will you be changing it to 2nd August (since you already met the Form 3’s) in anticipation that a lot will not turn up due to a last minute change or will stick to the original schedule where you will also disappear on the day (if the attendance is high).

Latest Incident:-
Yesterday (Monday), Puan Zubaidah who is also the Pengetua's personal escort (Note: bilik kesihatan) demonstrated her prowess in front of the whole school. Was it an act of a disciplinary move or could it be the act of a frustrated mindless uncivilized sod. Throwing students' books into a thrash bin is totally unacceptable and unbefitting of a senior teacher. Teachers who are of unsound mind and particularly those who have anger problems should immediately seek help before they become a burden to society and also endangering the lives of innocent students. No matter what the offence is, such barbaric act is unacceptable.

In summary the school has:

• A Pengetua who avoids meeting parents and avoid confronting issues in hand.
• Some teachers (the word is “some” and not “ALL”) that read from the text books instead of teaching.
• A teacher who shouted on top of her voice in the presence of parents.
• A PIBG representative who threaten parents by saying she will call the Police.
• A senior teacher who threw student’s books into the trash bin.
  

I miss the old SMKBUD4.

The MAJLIS SUAIKENAL PIBG

The above was broken up into 4 session i.e.

5th July 2008 Form 5
19th July 2008 Form 4
2nd August 2008 Form 3
10th August 2008 Form 1 and Form 2

The 1st session was completed on the 5th July and it took awhile to get some info on the outcome of the meeting as the attendance was extremely poor. A lot of SMS and personal calls were necessary and only this morning I got the outcome.

• It was attended by selected representative of the AJK PIBG together with teachers that are teaching Form 5. The Pengetua was there (surprise!!!)
• There were a total of nine Form 5 classes and my estimation of the student population would be in the region of 270 to 315. The parents who attended this Majlis Suaikenal were ONLY 8 which represented a miserable less than 3% of the student population. Now we know why the Pengetua attended. What can 8 parents do as compared to the AGM attendance ?
• The meeting was focus to ONLY 3 subjects i.e. Education, Discipline and Welfare and maybe that is why only a selected PIBG representative was there. Other matters were NOT entertained – due to time constrain.
• From my source it seems that the Pengetua hardly spoke and the person who spoke the most was a lady PIBG representative (sorry I didn’t get her name - a sweet malay lady). She was the mediator and was leading the whole discussion.
• Key question asked was about students smoking and it was replied that the school can only advised the students who are seen smoking outside the school compound as no disciplinary actions can be taken. Disciplinary action can only be taken if they are caught smoking in the school compound. Does that mean that a student can take a cigarette break by waking out of the school compound, have a smoke and come back for classes? Later the teacher can advised him to cut down smoking as it’s unhealthy. To students who are reading this - this statement is meant to be sarcasm and not a suggestion.
• Another important question raised was why the Form 5 class “tambahan” has not been implemented as it already July. The class tambahan was crucial in preparing the students for the SPM examination which is getting nearer and nearer. During this discussion, the responsibility of this matter was push to a teacher to answer. Now to be honest, who is the head of the school? The Pengetua or the teacher in charge of class “tambahan”? Is it fair for the teacher in charge of class "tambahan" to answer the questions raised when it is the responsibility of the Pengetua to ensure that the classes are in place to prepare the students for the SPM. The Pengetua may have the idea that most of the students in SMKBUD4 can afford tuition so there is no need for class tambahan. What about those who cant afford tuition. Where is the priority - school beautification or education?
• The meeting was in a rush manner and the parents questions were quickly summarised up. The following were also discussed briefly.
• students volunteering to paint the classroom - is it affecting their studies.
• Parents were unable to get a clear understanding from the form teachers on the performance of their children especially when its related to subjects not taught by the form teachers.
• Teachers need to explain and maybe repeat several times especially teaching weaker students.
  

So where do we go from here – to be continue - MAJLIS SUAIKENAL PIBG 2?

A Reply from a Parent

The following is a reply from a parent which can help in our struggle to ensure the well being of all the students in SMKBUD4.

Dear parents and administrator of this blog - be effective and air your grievances to the right authorities. We have the right to make the changes - changes for the better. We have written to the ministry and they have responded positively to take the necessary action.

Please direct your complaints to:

Puan Sharifah Khadijah Bt Syed Abdul Rahman,

Pegawai, Unit PelangganKementerian Pelayaran

Blk E8 Pusat PentadbiranKerajaan Persekutuan

62604 Putrajaya.

You can also direct your email to Pn Sharifah khadijah at sharifahkhadijahsyeda.rahman@yahoo.com (just move your cursor here and click, it will automatically create an email folder to send your complaints).

Remember, our strength is in the numbers - the more complaints the stronger the effect. Send in your complaints NOW!

Dont forget to put in your full name and address as this is a standard requirement for all letters to the government - and lastly NEVER be afraid to write in. You are helping your children in ensuring that they get a good education and examination results in the school and we not longer want our chidren to be intimated or bullied by unjust treatment.

To the parent who posted this message, thank you so much for the information. Your contribution in this matter is greatly appreciated by all.

A Tribute to Sek Jia Yuen

Yesterday morning when I was at 1 Utama having my breakfast, I overheard a family talking about a sad incident that happened in the school about a week ago. Being a busy body I probed further and discovered that the very brave student from 2 Matahari had passed away on a Friday morning (27th June 2008) due to long sickness. For those of you who don’t know him, he comes to school in a wheel chair and is loved by everyone in his class. Speaking to the family's children I met at the breakfast, I also discovered that despite his handicap in the school, he had never asked for sympathy nor want to be different. All he wanted was to be a normal student like everyone else. He is always full of smile and is very positive in life. I have met him a few times when I go to the school to fetch my children and he is always smiling and happy when he sees me.

To the Pengetua, I greatly respect and admire your compassion in this matter when you break the news to the students. I am sure that the family of the late Sek Jia Yuen would appreciate all the kind words that you have said about Jia Yuen.

For Sek Jia Yuen, you will be missed but never be forgotten and always be remembered as the classmate and school mate that brings smile and courage to all the students in SMKBU4.

This post will be removed after 7 days.

Pengetua / PIBG - what's happening???????

I am really getting frustrated over the pending issues at the school as it has been months since the AGM. Let me reiterate for those who have missed or forgotten the points that I have raised.

At the AGM, many questions were raised and especially on the RM30, 000 plus on landscaping. The representative of PIBG then promised the parents that another meeting will be scheduled whereby the Pengetua will be present. So when will this meeting be held.

The Pengetua then come up with a newsletter explaining that the funds were utilized through proper procedures with the PIBG. At the AGM, the question raised was why was the money spend on landscaping and NOT who approved the spending. RM30, 000 on landscaping will NOT help to improve the quality of education. When we asked about the rationalization of the expenditure the PIBG representative then explain that the importance of a beautiful garden can help in the children education. I don’t see how this is possible unless the student is studying horticulture and even with this I still cannot see the co-relationship between landscaping and examination results. Ok – so we will put aside some money at home and beautify our compound with roses and fountain and when our children sit for his PMR / SPM this year, it’s a guarantee straight A’s – can the PIBG guarantee this. If so we will immediately stop all tuition and instead allocate the money to beautify our garden. It's a damn good deal as by the end of the year there is a double bonus for we will be having a beautiful garden as well as children with straight A's.

Also during the PIBG, it was mentioned that the school secure a sponsor (the advertiser on the advertising pole) to build a shelter at the assembly area. So what has happened to this sponsorship? If not mistaken the amount is over RM100, 000 and where is the money now? For crying out loud, please don’t build a bigger fountain with this money.

The newsletter has a schedule whereby the Pengetua will meet the parents in 4 separate time slots. She is so free to allocate 4 time slots but when the parents go to the office to look for her, she is always busy and no where to be found. So now a parent with children in different forms would have to come a few times. Wouldn’t it be simpler to have ONE (SATU / 1) meeting and see everyone together? A Pengetua with such poor time management makes me suspicious if she can actually manage the school.

As for the PIBG, what is happening? I sincerely hope that there is no feud between the Pengetua and the PIBG. Last year at the Bakat Malam, I see members of the PIBG attending the event and even went o stage to sing “rasa sayang” with the previous Pengetua. Where were they this year and the excuse that in the day you don’t have the time is simply unacceptable. To me, it’s a sign of boycotting the event.

If there are any misunderstanding between the Pengetua and the PIBG, please resolve it and work together for the well being of the students. As they say when 2 elephants start to fight, it’s the ants that get killed. In this case, you don’t need a rocket scientist to guess which party represents the ants.