Post on school's FB

One of the very rare times I voiced my opinion openly. Keeping a copy just to look back next time:-
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Parents, this post is going to be long, pls bear with me.

I have been a silent reader all these while. I attended the AGM last year and it was a joke to begin with! Any parent (who is not in the AJK or in the running) would feel ashamed to see such an event taking place in a school. Due to some unavoidable reasons, I did not manage to attend the AGM this year and from my understanding, the similar chaos recurred.

I’m not taking sides as I do not know what was transpired during the AGM'16. From what I’ve read here, yes, there were faults in the accounts that were prepared. So what next? Fix the problem! If there are no qualified people within the AJK or the school, I reckon most parents or the PIBG would agree to allocate a small fund to appoint an external professional to undertake this job. We have a problem, we fix the problem. Learn from it and don’t repeat it. Everyone makes mistakes. What good is there if we keep harping on the mistakes made instead of rectifying it? I am not saying that we should just push the matter aside and accept that financial mistakes were overlooked. Yes, the PIBG should be more careful and the best way to do it going forward would be to allocate a budget, get a professional to do the accounts and discharge the liability from the teachers, parents and PIBG!

Next, being a working parent, I really do not understand all the hoo-ha behind condemning the PIBG/AJK or having a modus operandi to go against the school management. Let’s get back to basic facts. Why are we all here? Isn’t it because we have children in this school and we want the best for our kids? And may I ask why is it that you have chosen this school instead of the many other schools available in Kajang? Wasn’t it because all of us thought (and still think) that this is one of the best schools that could nurture our next generation?

Now, having the above in mind, could all parents please put your efforts in trying to improve the management of the school and assist the teachers in having a comfortable teaching environment? Shouldn’t we, as parents to our kids, work together to help the school? From what I see now, there are 3 groups of people; one, already in the PIBG and with their supporters; another that is against the PIBG and trying to gain their supporters; and the last group which has no idea  what is happening and just want the best for the kids.

Frankly, if a parent genuinely wants to help the school, what difference does it make whether you are part of the PIBG or not? Isn’t the PIBG just a title? Please remember that all the members/ AJK within the PIBG are also parents (some working parents) and are taking their personal time off, WITHOUT A SALARY, to help make the school a better place! For goodness sake, please understand that these AJK do not owe it to you or me! They do have better things to do than to hold the title and be condemned and criticized openly. They spend their personal time working for the school without getting anything in return. And what do they actually get in return? Annual yelling-sessions during the AGMs. Now, is that fair?

For parents that are against the PIBG, if you really do have constructive ideas and are able to bring in the appropriate funds to support the activities in school, by all means, present your ideas and funds to the Principal/PIBG and have the matter discussed. There is no real need to be part of the PIBG to have ideas listened to and actions being taken. Like the saying goes, talk is cheap. Doing nothing is easy. There is no such thing as wanting to be in the committee and not being able to assist. Also no such thing as just shouting during the annual AGMs but not be able to provide any constructive comments. You can’t have the cake and eat it. It’s that simple.

I see a lot of volunteers everyday assisting with traffic control. These are also unsung heroes. You see, you don’t need to be in the PIBG to help the school! Parents and family members that stand under the scorching hot sun and rain everyday assisting to control traffic, you have no idea how we value your contribution! Same goes to the PIBG/School Board where the committee gets to bring in external funds for the school to run activities. Kudos to the PIBG as well! Also the efforts by the PIBG/School Board and supportive parents that made all the renovations and improvement works come true in the school compound (ie, front gate waiting area, rear shade and walking area, computers in the school, new canteen tables/chairs and the list goes on and on)!

So now… parents, there is really no need for battle.Please go back to basics. Why are we here? Why do we need to have this struggle? Can’t we sit down, be calm and discuss matters for the benefits of our next generation? The country is already in such a mess. We don’t need all these adult problems /”politics” to be brought into the school grounds. Lets lead by example and at least try to show our kids that there can be cooperation and harmonious working relationships in the adults world.

~ just a fellow parent.
(apologies that I'm unable to translate this to Chinese or Bahasa)