Tragedy

as long as you are in Malaysia, I'm sure many of you know of this. A teacher succumbed to serious head injuries and a punctured lung after he fell through the school's rotting wooden floorboard to the floor below. This news has shocked the whole country.

According to the newspaper, the teacher, Chan Boon Heng was doing some office work in the staff room of SRJK(C) Keat Hwa (K) when the floorboard gave way. The bars which were supporting the floorboard caused his ribs to be broken and one of the broken ribs punctured his lung. the first floor below was actually the hall. Since then, the part of the building including the 1st and 2nd floor has been restricted.

This is actually one of the reality of the Chinese national school. When I was in Primary school before going to China, I was studying in SRJK(C) Lee Rubber, which was then in a very old school building. It was only after I went to china that the school shifted into a new building.

I have a cousin who used to study in SRJK(C) Keat Hwa (S). The school building was also very limited, with 2 schools (Primary and Secondary) sharing the same building. Just imagine the status of the schools of keat Hwa. More and more students are entering Chinese schools, yet the buildings are still old and space-limited. Many of the buildings are being destroyed by termites and are getting dangerous day by day.

My classroom has the similar case. The ceiling in the front of the classroom has unattached from the original place. we are having trial exam now, and almost the whole classroom is occupied. my friend Theng and I have seats in the front. Lately there has been 'black stuff' falling from the ceiling which was 'hanging' there. we are getting a little nervous now, really hoping that the board won't drop anytime we are there!

Compared to other schools, our school isn't really good at all. The front building is quite okay, but the 'kampung' classrooms at the back are in worse conditions. Other than the ceiling, the is also a problem when heavy rain falls - those sitting by the windows will definitely get wet! actually our school had been planning a new building in the field at the front of the school (the 'Malam Budaya" fund was for this) but then plan had to be cancelled since the Government wanted to widen the road of Jalan Gombak in front of our school.

It is a fact that Chinese and Tamil schools are partially subsidised schools of the government. But then, that shouldn't be the reason for not supplying these schools with better amneties especially school buildings to take place of the old and 'rotting' ones. After all the lives of people are concerned, ain't it?

well, it is a very tragic loss of the teacher.My parents know him because he is actually the brother of my uncle's wife (jiu4 mu3 de di4 di). My deepest condolences to the family of Mr Chan. may they get over from the griefing soon, and may he rest in peace.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!


friday, 16 sept 2005 (3.25pm)