BUTTERWORTH – Parents of students at SK Assumption here made the last-ditch request to save the 89-year-old boys’ school as it has a rich heritage and has produced a string of professionals and outstanding citizens.
Several parents who gathered outside the school yesterday evening appealed to the government, especially the Education Ministry, to make arrangements to allow the school to continue.
They also urged the ministry to discuss with the landowner to delay the school closure for another year.
Housewife Che Su Tahar, 45, whose son is in Standard 1, said the school has a unique culture of caring for the welfare of every individual student.
“I have watched my son’s performance and in just one year, he emerged top in the Bahasa Malaysia speech competition, and I could see him excel in his education. It’s because of the commitment of the teachers.
“I understand that there was a deal between the Education Ministry and the landowner, where the ministry pledged to buy the land and the school blocks after completing the construction of the school when the school ceased operations in 1995 at its original site in Jalan Assumption,” she said.
Stressing that “where there is a will there is a way”, she said the parents hope the government will heed their appeal and secure the school at the current site.
The Vibes had on January 8, reported that the 89-year-old boys’ school, which was established in 1933, now with an enrolment of 55 students, is facing the risk of ceasing its operations on February 28, if the attempts by the Parent and Teachers Association (PTA), alumni association and board of governors fails to save the school.
PTA chairman Mohd Aminuddin Baqy Mohd Noor attended a meeting with Education Department deputy director Abdul Said Hussain, the school’s board of governors and the alumni association.
He told The Vibes that the department’s state deputy director told them that the ministry had no choice but to vacate the school as the land belongs to a private owner who is demanding for it to be returned as soon as possible.
Sharizan Sickandar, 42, an engineer with a multinational semiconductor plant said the school has produced intellectuals and professionals over the decades.
He said his son in Standard 1 has exhibited good progress and responded well to others, as earlier he was timid and slow in responding to others.
“I want my son to attend this school as the school has over the years created numerous intellectuals and professionals for the society and the nation, and I hope the government will take some action to preserve the school.
“Teachers in the school provide quality education. They are committed to their duty of educating the students and instilling good qualities and discipline. I hope all related parties will come to terms to save the historical school,” he said.
Nazira Mohd Salliku, 43, said she enrolled her three children in SK Assumption even though there were three other primary schools in the area.
“This school is different and unique compared to other primary schools nearby as it has a good track record of producing quality students who have achieved excellent results in their secondary school education.
“So, what is wrong for the parents in selecting a school of their choice as they want their children to become successful and contribute to the society, nation and the world?” she said.
Alumni remembers upright upbringing
Several of the alumni spoke to The Vibes to express their shock, disappointment and unhappiness over the possible end of their alma mater.
Among them is a businessman who has now made it big in Singapore.
Anthony Ng said the government and the Education Department should have taken measures to protect the school, as it has historical value.
Meanwhile, 75-year-old Rachikatas Arulanthu said what he carries with him till today from his schooling days are lessons on qualities of being a good citizen.
The retired Telekom Malaysia assistant manager attended classes at SK Assumption from 1956 to 1961.
He said three of his siblings attended the same school as his parents had faith in the school’s education system.
Many parents preferred to send their kids to the missionary school, seeing that it produced high-achieving students who can contribute well to the society at large.
Among its most successful alumni is former Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Nor, who lived in Bagan Dalam, attended SK Assumption before continuing his secondary education at St Xavier’s Institution in George Town.
He was also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, responsible for the Economic Planning Unit, from May 2009 to May 2013.
Nor also served as special economic adviser to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter served as prime minister, from May 2000 to the end of 2003.
One of Nor’s most significant achievements was assisting Dr Mahathir in the implementation of the unorthodox measures, including selective exchange control measures, to overcome the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis.
To preserve the Malaysian currency and economy from tanking during that time, Dr Mahathir had pegged the ringgit to the US dollar after receiving a report from Nor Mohamed. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
