ANOTHER CHAPTER: Year-end holidays are drawing to an end and it is time to prepare the children for school. Students attending primary and secondary schools for the first time will find it both an anxious yet exhilarating time, as will their parents. Learning Curve finds out about their expectations, hopes and fears.
AT the start of the 2014 school year, there were 440,457 pupils — 225,660 male and 214,797 female — enrolled in Year One in public schools in the country. At the secondary level, there were 429,273 Form One students — 217,218 male and 212,055 female — in public schools.
The number of students has been consistent for the past three years, and approximately the same figure will be experiencing orientation and first day angst as they progress into the next stage of their education come January 2015.
For Mirza Muhammed Ali Muhammed Hafiz, 6, the excitement is building up and he is looking forward to attending formal school. He will be following in his eldest brother’s footsteps when he joins the same school in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
On the reason why he is looking forward to school, the young lad shyly whispered “play”.
“My brother used to go to this school so I know what it looks like. My friend Ryan will also be going there,” he said, adding that Ryan is a neighbour.
Muhammed Hafiz Abdullah feels his son Mirza Muhammed Ali — a middle child — interacts quite well with other children and is well-adjusted, having spent four years in preschool.
“He will attend a national school close to home. The primary school is my eldest son’s alma mater and has a good track record. Close friends who live in the same neighbourhood also send their children there,” said Muhammed Hafiz.
He added that he hopes Mirza Muhammed Ali will enjoy the lessons as well as pick up soft skills such as communication with teachers.
“My wife and I want to give him a well-rounded learning experience. We will also enrol him in a religious programme and encourage him to take up a sport and piano lessons.”
Aida Zani Aziz of Bandar Sunway will be sending her eldest child, Adib Izz Zikry Fahizi, 6, to Sekolah Sri Pintar Al-Amin, a nearby private school offering both Islamic and vernacular syllabi. School is from 7.45am till 4.30pm. As a first-time primary school parent, Aida Zani is a tad nervous and somewhat protective of her son going through the new experience.
Aida Zani said: “Adib is the eldest of two siblings. He is a very active boy and is obsessed with Ultraman. He can sometimes be very shy when meeting people. But we are addressing that issue. Adib is attending intensive classes at Sri Pintar Al-Amin for three weeks. So he already knows his teachers and has made friends.
“My only concern is whether he can adapt to the long hours of schooling and new subjects (Bahasa Arab and Mandarin). He attended kindergarten for only half a day and Bahasa Arab and Mandarin were not taught.”
But Adib Izz Zikry looks all set to go, even when none of his kindergarten mates will be attending the same school.
“I look forward to making new friends,” he said.
Chooi Xian Wern, 12, of Seremban — who is also a middle child — can’t wait to start school at SMJK Chan Wa 2. Generally considered a homebody who enjoys reading, playing games on the PlayStation and mobile phone, Xian Wern intends to try new things in secondary school.
“I’m excited about going to school. Some of my former schoolmates will attend the same school but my brothers won’t be there. It will be cool to learn more stuff in secondary school. I hope there will be lots of co-curriculum activities and the teachers won’t be so stern,” she said.
Mum Janet Chan, a single parent, anticipates Xian Wern will need to adjust initially but is confident her daughter will do well with support from her grandparents, father and herself.
“I advised Xian Wern to look for familiar faces, help each other to explore the school environment and check with teachers and seniors on what to expect in the year ahead. Most importantly, she should enjoy herself, study new, interesting subjects and achieve her goals.”
At Press time, Hana Noor Azam, 12, of Kuala Terengganu was still waiting for the results of her application for a place in Form One at an all-girls’ residential school in Seremban, Negri Sembilan. Her elder sister is a student at the school and it is Hana’s dearest wish to join her.
“Yes, I am very excited. Insya Allah, I would like to join my sister, but whichever school Allah has chosen for me will be the best,” she said, adding that she felt a bit nervous but full of hope.
Her mother, Dr Hasliza Md Shahir, who also attended boarding school, believes it will be a good experience for Hana.
Dr Hasliza said: “She chose (to apply to study at) the school herself. I just support her. Perhaps, her older sister has influenced her somewhat. I would like her to learn to be on her own, extend her circle of friends.
“There are more responsibilities and higher expectations in secondary school. Teenagers’ exposure to social media should be monitored. They should take part in activities, not only in school but outside it as well.
“The structured, organised lifestyle in boarding school is desirable.”
Academically, competition will be tough, she added, and there is no short cut to success.
“Hana must pay attention in class and keep up with schoolwork. Most schools provide extra classes, therefore tuition may not be necessary. As a parent, I remind my child to study hard and smart, and always ask for guidance from Allah.”
Meanwhile, Hariz Haikal Sharizal, 12, will be starting Form One at a school near home in Kuala Lumpur. His mother Haryati Kaharuddin is concerned about her second child — a special needs student — adapting to inclusive education in secondary school.
Haryati said: “We found out that he is special when he was 5. My sister, who had just completed her studies in medicine abroad, noticed signs of autism and referred him to Hospital UKM for investigation.
“Hariz Haikal was diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder and mild autism. He went for speech therapy for 1½ years. We still go for a six-month follow-up at the hospital.”
On his doctors’ advice, Hariz Haikal had an inclusive education even though the primary school held special education classes.
“He is an obedient student, his teachers always praise his conduct. He only has challenges in academic learning and his circle of friends is limited to five close pals in school.
“I am concerned about school bullies as he is not as mature as his peers. I hope he will quickly make good friends who can not only watch out for and encourage each other but also take part in activities together.”
Haryati believes both she and her husband will need to pay closer attention to their son’s studies. She plans to work closely with his teachers and monitor his academic progress. “I hope that with a daily schedule and monitoring, he is able to cope with his lessons.”
Hariz Haikal has a positive attitude towards school. “I want to be a school prefect, make friends and take active part in school competitions,” he said.
Also making the transition to a neighbourhood secondary school is Fathehah Mohd Farid Rozaidi, the third child in the family and second daughter of Puchong-based Maizurfidar Anom Abdullah.
Fathehah will be attending a school where her mother works as a teacher.
“It is convenient for me in many ways... transportation-wise and the fact that I will be able to keep track of her activities in school. My eldest son was a former student and my elder daughter will be in Form Five,” said Maizurfidar Anom.
While many regard attendance at a boarding school as the benchmark of academic excellence, Maizurfidar Anom feels that parents, who nurture their children’s abilities and have confidence in the teachers’ competence, can do wonders for their children’s self-esteem and this can translate into remarkable academic performance.
“There is no such thing as a good or bad school. Every student in any school deserves a good education,” she added.
This attitude has certainly rubbed off on Fathehah as she aims to be one of the top students at her school.
“I am all ready to face the challenges of secondary school... to fulfil my ambitions to be a pilot,” said the bubbly girl.