SMKDJ Pengetua Woes
This post is in response to the post written by Kevin Chan, a former DJian who is currently working as a temporary teacher in SMKDJ.
Now, for the main reason I wanted to write this post, our very own disquieting headmistress - the Datin. Well, she IS my current boss, considering that I’m working in SMKDJ right now, but in lieu of all that I’m hearing from all around these days, I guess it would just be a cardinal sin to stay silent anymore. Thanks John, for making me see that a ‘tidak apa’ (heck care) attitude wouldn’t help anyone and it would only further undermine all our previous efforts in making DJ the prestigious school that it now is - our spirit of meritocracy and high standards.
Well, for the benefit of all DJ alumni and current students in DJ, these are the changes that Datin has implemented (or at least tried to implement) so far (this is by no means a comprehensive list, just some of the things that I remember):
1. Attempted to shut down the cheerleading squad.
2. Attempted to shut down our school’s strong Christian Fellowship (CF).
3. Made it mandatory that co-curricular clubs must have a certain number of Malays in their executive committee.
4. Took in a large number of Malay students into the prefectorial board without an interview. Note that other non-Malay students have to go through a rigorous selection and interview process before they are accepted as probationary prefects.
5. Reduced the number of periods a week for additional mathematics and increased the number of periods used to teach modern mathematics (which is largely regarded as an easier subject, unless you happen to come from a different planet), resulting in teachers making students stay back for extra classes. Didn’t we also use to stay back for extra classes back in the time where we had more add math periods?Let me make this clear that this is by no means a puerile attempt at defamation, but genuine concern for the future of SMKDJ. I am in no way anti-Malay; my dear Hamlet is very much Malay and she can so testify to that, but the injustice in my alma mater these days just fills me and quite a few other concerned DJ alumni with indignation.
I believe that DJ has always stood out in so many things ranging from sports, debates, cheerleading to our overall school culture because we were fair.
Also read about Andrew’s Loh’s response to this issue. Andrew has also added points 6,7 and 8 based on current DJian feedback.
I have personally heard of all these stories myself from many people. It turns out that most, if not all, are true. Kudos to Kevin for speaking out vehement and doing something about it.
Well, so far a lot of discussion between DJians has been happening online about this. Ex-DJians, generate support and inform your little brothers and sisters in DJ to give feedback to Kevin or Andrew! Although I am strongly skeptical about the possibility of removing Datin from her post, we can at least define some boundaries for her to follow through the proper channels. DJ is supposed to be meritocratic! SMK Damansara Jaya is not just ANY school an outsider Pengetua can come and tamper with.
In the meanwhile, Kevin will keep us all updated about this issue!
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Hi to all ex DJians out there,
Appreciate your love and concern for the school. But as usual, grapevine talk needs to be checked, preferably from a reliable source. So people, let’s get some facts straight.Take it from me….
CF and Cheer are both fine and well. The Dynamitz are practising hard to compete in this year’s competition. There were Cheer teams during this year’s sport meet. Hmm… what does that say for the school administration’s stand for Cheers? We are definitely not scrapping it.
CF still meets every Friday. The only setback is that more paperwork is necessary to get speakers to come in. But that applies to all societies, Buddhist, Leo, Interact, Persatuan BM and even English Language Society. Hmmm… as for Maths and Add Maths. Well some of us here are more law abiding.(no offence to the previous administration.) But the ruling set by the Ministry of Education is 5 Maths periods and 4 Add Maths periods. So being more law abiding ( we have to set the example, lol!) we adhere to the regulations. Similarly the composition of prefects. You know, there is this national emphasis on integration and directives that come down which insist on a correct racial composition for all things, even participation in competitions. So we need to project this correct composition. There you have it. Know that the school is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Datin together with the rest of the administrators have to abide by the rules and regulations imposed. We have to lol or we will lose our gratuity (when we retire) or be fined for overt disobedience. (The same way we fine you guys.. only you are fined in cents, we in thousands of dollars.) And you know, with our peanuts pay, we cannot afford this defiance. Hope I have given you loyal Djians a proper perspective of the situation. Back to the prefects, if it will make you guys feel better, they are now put under a 5-week probation and will be dismissed if the advisers think they have not carried out their roles effectively. As for the relocation of the TOWER OF EXCELLENCE, nothing displayed could be read after 5 months in the direct rays of the sun. The certs became discoloured and the tower is no longer excellent! The present location, though less obvious to the public eyes, is actually better as students are always gathered around the canteen area and can read and view the displays. On top of that, both sides of the Tower can be used and are used. In terms of serving its purpose, the Tower of Excellence is now in a better location.
Now allow me to direct your critical eyes to somethings which you may not have noticed. Datin together with the school administration have made many positive physical changes (not with PIBG money) but by writing in to relevant authorities for the funds.
1. potholes in the classrooms. Block A’s classroom floors were re-cemented / not patched. So we are not tripping over because of the numerous potholes in the classes. Smooth even floors. Let’s hope we all keep them this way for a few more years.
2. Renovation of the school office. Now I know it may not seem to benefit the students, but the office is the second hub of the school. When office work is streamlined, it helps the school function better. Efforts were made to upgrade the staffroom but there were some objections from the teachers and so the plans were stalled.
3. The roofs of Blocks A, B and C were changed and Datin managed to persuade the contractors to extend the roofs so that rain will not be splashing into the corridors. So Blocks A and B now have extended new roofs with new garters to catch the rain water. It may not be significant to morning students, but if you think back to your Form 1 and 2 days, you will realise that it is indeed going to be helpful during the seasons of afternoon thunderstorms.
4. The boys and girls toilets were upgraded, for a second time. Under Pn Lee’s tenure, she did upgrade the toilets. Datin has it done a second time. Unfortunately, as always, we have unappreciative students who kick down the doors (boys’ toilets) and cancel all the good efforts made.
5. A project close to Datin’s heart is ” satu sekolah satu pusat sumber” . To get this project off the ground, she has to repaint the school. The last time the school was repainted was during Datin Hamidah’s tenure as principal, quite a number of years ago. Now she is completing this project, putting up apt and encouraging phrases and also academic materials around the school so that learning takes place outside the classroom too.
6. 3 gazebos have been constructed in the school. The afternoon population has increased by leaps and bound, thanks to the excellence projected by you guys, SMKDJ has a good reputation in the community, and students are clamouring to get in. Of course, not your work only…. the teachers’ too. So afternoon students need places to gather while waiting for the morning session to dismiss.
7. There are a few technicalities that have to be adhered to if we are to apply for Cluster School status. The school admin is working hard to get these technicalities ironed out so that the school can qualify when we apply. There are many benefits of being a cluster school. One is the principal gets to request for the type of teachers to come to the school. Second, the school can choose to excel in a certain area, and funds will be given for the school to do so. For example, if we choose to excel in debating, (which we are to a certain extent) then as a cluster school we can request for trainers (paid by the government) and target our students for international competitions. But we cannot apply now because we fail to meet certain technical criteria. Datin hopes to be able to set things in order before she retires, so that we can apply for the cluster school status.
8. With Pn Maryanne’s good effort, the Alumni has been registered. That is one criteria to apply for Cluster School. So the best form of loyalty you can show the school is to become a member and participate actively in programmes to help upgrade your beloved alma mater.
Principals and teachers come and go, but your loyalty to and support for the school can help it achieve greater heights. However, sorry to say, I doubt ex students have the power or the right to change the mindset of a principal. There isn’t and never has been an insider Pengetua. They all come from outside. Principals do shape the school and decide the pathway the school will go. It is my humble opinion, based on working with her, that our present principal, Datin Wira Norizan has the best interest of the school at heart. We can look from outside and point an accusing finger. It is easy. But come and run a school and see the mammoth task on her shoulders . This is the second principal I know who works until 7 to 8 pm at night. She comes back weekends to check on the guards and even to oversee the renovation of the school. Let’s be fair and give credit where credit is due. I will like to think that the students who have passed through us are students who are not prejudiced and biased. Before we hurl and point fingers of accusation, we need to get our facts correct. The evidence speaks for itself. Judge by what you see not what you hear. True before Datin came, rumours were flying of her closing down the CF in DU and so will do so in DJ. But to date, CF is fine and well. Cheers will continue to be the PRIDE of the school and yes, we do have to learn to be gracious in certain aspects. When our friends from the rural areas join our school, they do find it difficult to fit in. They are at a loss many a times. Perhaps it takes someone from that background to understand and to want to help them adjust and assimilate to the new environment. As a principal, she is a principal of all students in the school, and that includes FELDA students sent to DJ, she has to consider the welfare of all. Are we so meritocratic that we cannot extend our hands to help someone up? Can we not befriend Malays, Chinese and Indians , both urban and rural? Are we becoming urban intellectual snobs when we see only our capabilities and not other’s potential? Hey, excellence is not only getting 15As in your academia. Let’s get As for being tolerant, understanding, helpful, respectful, considerate and many many more. Let’s get an ‘A’ for checking our facts before we blog. There are two sides to a coin. Come on, hasn’t debating taught us that?
The trouble with Pn Koh is that once she speaks she doesn’t stop. So before I sound like an old record, adieu and to you Djians, ex and present, my wishes go with you. Carpe Diem. The world is yours to explore, AND REMEMBER THE BEST WAY YOU CAN LOVE YOUR SCHOOL IS TO ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE SCHOOL AND NOT WHAT THE SCHOOL CAN DO FOR YOU. So many thanks to Andrew, Marc, Kevin and John who have come back to help train our debaters. Not forgetting the Scouters who have kept the DJ scouting spirit on fire, and yes the ex-Dynamitz members who come back to train the present team. You are all wonderful jewels which the school treasure. We appreciate you.
…..on behalf of the school administrators
Thank you Pn Koh for taking time to iron out the Pengetua issue. It is certainly true that it is always easier to look in from the outside and pin point the mistakes of those slogging inside. So I apologize if I have been found to do so. Once again, thank you Pn Koh for speaking out to clarify the issue with many of us misinformed people, and for rebuking us to a certain extent. And I think you hit home when you said that we should be scoring As as well in the soft skills instead of just academia. Certainly not words that should be overlooked. Cheers! (P.S. I hope that all is well with you too, Pn Koh!)