The First Day of School for a Year 4 Kid

The 2nd of Jan 2014 was a big day for my 10-year old. He was one of 7 new students enrolled in this national school. The others were from other national schools and one from a Chinese school. 

His first day was terribly chaotic. The school runs two sessions - one morning and the other afternoon. Both sessions are managed by two different groups of Headmasters and teachers, each maintaining a different office in the school compound. 

As my boy was registered for the afternoon session, when we went in, the morning boys' parents were all around the school. Most were Standard One kids' parents - hanging outside the classrooms, in the school office, canteen and just about everywhere. Understandably, they were there to witness their kids' first school experience. 

The ventilation in this school is not that good as the compound is small and seemed congested. So everyone was profusely sweating, including the teachers and office staff. Tempers were raised and I heard teachers shouting and screaming to the kids to assemble. Some even told the kids to tell the parents to leave.

Well, finally I managed to send off my boy to the school's big hall for their first assembly of the year. The hall had leaking roof and there was a pool of water on the wooden floor. Somebody had even placed a plastic pail to catch the dripping water. My heart sank when I saw this - I mean shouldn't this type of thing be repaired before re-opening school. Of course, parents were quickly shooed away from the hall.

While waiting for the assembly to finish, I managed to chat up a parent. Coincidentally she lived near my housing area. Her son was also a transfer student. She shared the same concern about parking and standard of education in Malaysia.

After about 40mins., the children came out of the hall. Everyone was sent off to their classes except the new kids. They were asked to gather and sent to the last class in the respective standards as the school has yet to ascertain their levels. So my boy ended up with a bunch of unruly kids who loved noise and fights. He got his time-table and managed to befriend another boy who was also new in the class. Unfortunately, that kid was not able to speak English although he understood the language. 

Good news :-

(1) He got his Pinjaman books - all brand new as there is a change in the Syllabus.
(2) The office staff tried their best to keep their cool and managed well. They answered all type of questions from so many parents despite the chaos.

Bad news :-

(1) Stuck in the last class.

(2) Most lessons were left without teachers.

(3) The Class Monitor could not control the other boys.

(4) Some teachers screamed at the boys just to quieten them down.

(5) My son was depressed as he could not find anyone who spoke English and because he missed his old school and friends.

(6) The canteen is small and little choice of food. Nobody queud for food as recess was 20mins only.

(7) The toilet was dark so he didn't enter.

(8) All teachers were Malay which is something he has slowly to get used to.

(9) He was upset he got caned (a stroke on the upper arm) during assembly as he didn't wear his tie - for goodness sake it was just his first day, I haven't even bought it...of course the teacher didn't know. 

(10) The children just ran about everywhere - there is no fear of teachers.

(11) The tables and chairs were old and rickety.

(12) The curtains were dirty.

Well, that was his first day. We were told we can't change his classroom yet as they haven't gauged his level. I just hope things get better soon... in the meantime, I need to keep his spirits high.