Schools should be a place of learning and politicians must not hide behind this noble institution of education. The Federal Government has a ruling that all opposition politicians are not allowed to step into a school premise whether for an official or personal capacity. In the case of YB Hannah Yeoh she was not even allowed to enter her own alma mater as a former head prefect. Most recently it was revealed that a private fund raising function organised by DAP USJ1 was cancelled and the deposit refunded because the Board of Governors rejected it. This while the school apparently still owes Ringgit 1.5 million to contractors after 2 years since its completion.
Who owns the school? Is it not a public building and therefore owned by the citizens of Malaysia? In the case of SRJK (C) Chee Wen, who contributed to the building of the school and school hall? Was it not the tireless efforts of the parents, students and teachers of the past 5 years? In the beginning when the school first opened, there was not even enough tables and chairs and if not for the generous contribution of parents, some children would have had to sit on the floor.
The BN government at that time (pre 2008)was quite used to having the Chinese schools beg for money through their well connected, politically motivated, Board of Governors. The motivation to have MCA leaders in the Board was great as they could pull strings to fund various school projects. The school in turn gave them a platform for publicity and for the opportunity to advance politically and perhaps run for public office.
Things have changed. MCA leaders in School Boards sit in isolation and defending their positions hopefully until the next General Elections. Many still use this as a platform for campaigning and when school dinner functions and concerts are held, MCA top guns get to visit.
This is the sad case of todays vernacular schools. The nitty gritty of school children’s welfare and school life is over looked for much greater things like the next elections and how to keep DAP away from using the school halls etc. In the case of Chee Wen, I wish there was more done to keep the school clean, to find ways to lighten the children’s school bags, to establish well runned clubs and societies for the school kids and to find ways to allow our kids to engage with the community. This will inevitably draw more parents to volunteer their services and time.
It is time to reclaim our schools at the local level. No more politicians. The parents will decide which politician to allow and when. Not the political parties. Its time to clean up!
Some have asked who the Board of Governors of Chee Wen are. I do not know their political affiliations and maybe there are none but in anycase it does not make sense that a school in debt is refusing a dinner function that could bring an income of RM10,000 at least. What's wrong with the money?
BOG NAME LIST FOR 2009 TO 2010
NAME
1 DATO' LEE HWA BENG PENASIHAT KEHORMAT 2004
2 DATO'(DR) PATRICK PENGERUSI 2007-2010
TEOH SENG FOO WAKIL MENTERI
3 ONGBOK SIONG NAIB PENGERUSI PENGERUSI HALL 2009-2012
WAKIL MENTERI
4 SHAFIEE SHARIFF AHLI/PEMENGANG 2008-2011
NG B. ABDULLAH AMANAH
5 ONG CHONG SWEN AHLI 2007-2010
WAKIL PENYOKONG
6 CHONG MIN HEE AHLI PIBG CHAIRMAN 2009 2009-2012
WAKIL PENYOKONG HALL COMMITTEE
7 YAP YUN FATT AHLI PIBG VICE CM 2009 2008-2011
WAKIL MENTERI HALL COMMITTEE
8 YAN JENN MING BENDAHARI 2006-2009
WAKIL PENYOKONG
9 DATO' HEW HOI LAM AHLI/PEMENGANG 2007-2010
AMANAH
10 NG YIM KONG AHLI/PEMENGANG 2008-2011
AMANAH
11 LOW SWEE CHIN AHLI WAKIL MURID TUA -2010
12 YOON CHOYE AHLI WAKIL MURID TUA 2009
13 NEW MEMBER AHLI WAKIL MURID TUA 2009-2012
14 JIMMY AHLI WAKIL PIBG HALL COMMITTEE 2009
15 HENRY AHLI WAKIL PIBG HALL COMMITTEE 2009
PIBG CM STAFF
16 SOH BOON CHEN AHLI WAKIL PIBG 2009
17 WONG KEE CHIEW SETIAUSAHA ADVISER HALL GURU BESAR COMMITTEE
