OF late, there have been calls for schools to contain and tone down on organising functions that are inflated with protocol and excessive celebrations, asking them to focus on core activities instead, which are to be a centre of learning and teaching.
As a former secondary school principal, let me share my thoughts and experiences on this matter.
FIRSTLY, school functions involving VIPs, when carried out modestly and moderately, contribute to its growth and improvement. It is, therefore, important and even necessary to hold such functions from time to time. A school has to be “ready” to stage a function graced by a VIP. By “ready”, it means the performance of the school, in academic and co-curricular achievements as well as the students’ discipline, have to be well above median standard. To put it plainly, the school must have something to “show or shout about”. I have yet to come across “poor performing” schools organising big functions or inviting a VIP to officiate them. In fact, VIPs may shun functions in schools of dubious reputation.
For a function to be held, the school must be doing better in many aspects. To be “ready” also means that the school’s staff and students know what to do and how to conduct themselves in such functions. This should be the first concern of a responsible principal and his/her team of administrators. They have to work hard to advance and improve the school on all fronts before engaging in a VIP-officiated function. So, much work goes into achieving this.
Such functions, focusing only on the essentials, and not going overboard on celebrations, can directly and indirectly contribute to the school’s improvement and advancement.
SECONDLY, protocol is important, more so when VIPs outside of the Education Ministry are invited. This is where the schools can seek and obtain ready advice and assistance from officials of the District Education Office, the state Education Department and/or the ministry. Nevertheless, moderation is the key.
Sometimes, officials from higher offices forget that it is a school function and, therefore, the extent of the event should be based on the school’s capacity and capability, and not at the level of state functions.
From my experience, VIPs are usually understanding and accommodating. Instead, it is our own officials who are over-anxious. In this context, if the VIP is from the education sector, he should be more understanding and accommodating. This will help the principal, his team and students to learn and grow. The spirit of “We are all a family!” should prevail. This is not to say that the principal can be naive and careless in his/her planning and in executing the event. He must prove his/her mettle of leadership. Meanwhile, student leaders are watching. They, too, can learn a thing or two from such functions.
THIRDLY, timing and scheduling of a function are important so that school lessons are not unduly disrupted. Certain months of the year are simply not right for big school functions. However, a principal and his/her administrative team sometimes make the mistake of being over-obliging to a VIP’s request for schedule change which may result in loss of lesson time. In such cases, school has to either postpone the function temporarily or invite another VIP.
Another experience I had was that when the school invited the menteri besar. Many other top state political leaders also wanted to be present. The school then had to make extra allowances and preparations. That’s why a principal has to have foresight and be diligent when inviting a VVIP to his/her school.
Last but not least, a school function must benefit its students. Here is where a principal and his/her administrative team must brainstorm for the right type of functions that the school should engage in. There should be no personal agenda.
A function that brings VIPs to the school only for rubbing shoulders and gifting of souvenirs is not going to move the school forward. Students must have a part to play and get to learn something or at least be motivated. Worthy school functions may include Science, ICT, and arts and crafts exhibitions, and annual sports and prizes/awards day.
Modestly and moderately organised, a school function can be a showcase of the students and their teachers, and even their parents’ efforts. In the process, the whole school community gets motivated, all for the good of the school.
LIONG KAM CHONG, Seremban