Many, many years ago, way back in 1981, my dad registered me his firstborn into SRK St Nicholas Convent Alor Setar for Std 1 in 1982. Calculating, that's 28 years ago! I remembered him telling me that he had to queue overnight to get a spot for me. Not sure if it was exaggerated eerrr, coz my dad was a teacher in the secondary school, teacher's privileges, no? Either that or it was true and extreme measures had to be taken to get me a seat in a coveted school. Well, I'll make sure I ask him about it when he comes down in early May. Until then back to the subject at hand.
Next year, 2011, my firstborn will be going into Std 1, we were so sure that we were sending her for SJK (C) Chung Hwa, were being the operating word here. I, being the regular kiasu mum of today, registered Niki way back in March 2009 when they first announced that they were starting the registration process for 2011 intake. By the time I went which was the fourth day from the announcement I was already application number 296! Fancy that, being the only Chinese school in the vicinity of KK must have boosted their intake. I got Niki all registered and was feeling pretty good about myself knowing for sure early registration would definitely guarantee her a place there.
Fast forward, a year later, met with another mum from Niki's kindy, who asked whether I know about the online registration now required for the school year of 2011? Told her that I've registered a year back with much confidence, and was informed in return that I would need to do an online registration as well, print out the hardcopy and submit it to the school again as part of its supporting documents required. Ok ....., so if your kid is going to Std 1 next year in the Shah Alam/Klang area make sure you go here and register www.ppkdklg.gov.my
Anyways, did as I was told, double checked with the MoE website to verify that it was indeed true, registered and printed the registration and proceeded to the school to hand it in. Ms Admin told me in return that it will be filed in together with my application and I will receive a reply from the Ministry by July to see if Niki will be accepted into the school, and I was %$#!*?+ flabbergasted. Apparently, the school can only take in 360 selected students, selection will be done by the MoE, and the School has no say.
By now, I was greatly disappointed, and discussed this matter with hubby dearest, and after much thought and sleepless nights (for me!) we finally settled into the idea of a private school. Vicky never liked the idea of a private school, ok no offense to parents ya.. he feels very strongly because my dearest hubby is just "old-school" pardon the pun. However much as we would like to hold on to the idea of public schools, we have to face the fact that schools today are of a different breed. And getting into the right one is proving to be quite challenging.
Our visits to 3 shortlisted private schools:
Private School #1: Pioneer of private schools, lots of lush trees and surrounding the campus. We went in an met with the IT teacher cum tour guide, who not so convincingly tried to sell her school. Actually she was doing a rather lousy job at it, and we can see from her expression that she didn't truly believe what she was selling, above that we were quite shocked by how conjested the school was, and the library is pretty small and doesn't really look like one, and I for one am a sucker for a good library, anyways you wouldn't know it from the outside looking in! And sad to say security was really not up to par!
Private School #2: Fairly new, nice, large campus, goes by per term, fees are pretty high and they're only covering the regular subjects. All other subjects ie. drama, music, swimming is outsourced and chargeable, not really value for money. Enrolment for the school however is very high and so effects the student teacher ratio. The school though new, started up in late 2008, already has over 1,200+ students! What we got from the visit was the school is very much into money making but we really doubt the commitment to education bit. And yeah, with the Malaysian weather, an outdoor swimming pool is really not a good thing!
Private School #3: Good infrastructure, good security, won Vicky there. Student ration to teacher is about 25:1, and there's an assistant teacher for each class. Nice library, nice labs for music, art, science etc. Lots of space, indoor swimming pool. Best thing is the tuition fees covers swimming, drama & music.
And so, we have more of less finalized our decision with school #3.
