SCHOOL reunions should be promoted as a platform to solidify the country’s longstanding diversity as a multi-ethnic nation, according to S.Raveentharan.
The former PKR secretary-general said this was more important in the current climate in the country where some groups championed race and religion above everything.
“It is not just to reminisce about time spent in school but to consolidate on the foundation of the nation – our multi-ethnicity. By inviting our teachers, it shows that we appreciate the knowledge we acquired from our Malay, Chinese and Indian teachers,” he said after attending the St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) Class of 1969 reunion recently.
Raveentharan, who was a one-term Batu Uban assemblyman, said that the reunions can be used to send a message that Malaysians prefer peace and can tolerate each other.
He urged the educational authorities to offer incentives to various school alumni who wish to organise reunions, especially from national schools.
“If one notices, even vernacular schools such as the Chinese who use Mandarin as a medium of instruction are gaining traction in admitting non-Chinese students.”
So, the alumni of vernacular schools should also be encouraged to hold such reunions where besides gathering to recollect things, they can also use it to raise funds for their respective schools, said Raveentharan.
SXI is the nation’s second oldest school, and its former students are known to constantly organise reunions due to their affection to its motto of “Labor Omnia Vincit” (Work conquers all).
For the Class of 1969, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief executive officer Datuk Sashedharan Vasudevan, who is part of the class, suggested doing it aboard the new Penang cross-channel ferries.
Some 80 ex-schoolboys came from all over the country and abroad for the gathering on Saturday.
Among the guests were Jeffery Chew Gim Eam, the Langkawi Teluk Ewa port chairman, who also studied at SXI, and school board of governors chairman Victor Tan. – May 21, 2024.
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