As reported in The Star.
Exciting start to semester
By ANN TAN
THE 110 pupils of SJK (T) Rajaji are enjoying a nicer study atmosphere at the Rifle Range community hall. They recently moved there to make way for their school’s renovation.
Pupils, parents and headmaster N. K. Chandrasegaran were spotted removing their wooden tables, chairs and learning materials from the dilapidated school in Air Itam with the help of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) workers under the supervision of the state Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
Making way for renovation: Pupils removing learning materials and chairs from the school.
Chandrasegaran said the pupils would be studying in the community hall for three months while the Public Works Department (JKR) begin the renovation work.
“The ceiling is on the verge of collapsing. The ceiling fans and fluorescent lights could crash down at any moment,” he said on the school’s condition.
Wooden partitions separate the six classrooms and Chandrasegaran said the ceiling would also leak whenever it rains.
New classroom: An MPPP employee helping to arrange the tables and chairs at the Rifle Range community hall.
Parent M. Murugiah said he felt relief that his 12-year-old son M. Areevinkuamar would no longer study in a dangerous classroom.
“Once, the ceiling of one of the classrooms crashed down when they turned on the ceiling fan.
“Every day, I pray my son comes home safe from school,” the 41-year-old personal driver said.
Jeevanath: We're glad our school will be given a new lease of life.
Pupils G. Jeevanath and S. Gejentraj, both 11, were equally excited to start their new semester in the community hall.
“It will be a totally different experience and we’re glad that our 65-year-old school will finally be given a new lease of life when the renovations are completed,’’ Jeevanath said.
Wong said the state government had earlier come under fire from the Opposition when the latter questioned the motive of the state in allocating funds for only government-aided schools.
“The sad state of SJK (T) Rajaji, for instance, says it all.
“Even most of the tables and chairs used are second-hand. They were handed down from the better equipped, national (type) schools,” he said.
“The (state) Education Depart-ment earlier suggested that the teachers and students move into SJK (T) Ramakrishna in Scotland Road.
“However, the parents felt that it would be inconvenient as most of the pupils are living in Air Itam and it would be quite a distance for those who either walk or cycle to school,” he said.
Wong said the parents sought his help to use the community hall and to waive its rental, to which he agreed.
“As a long-term plan, I will be working with Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy who is in charge of the education portfolio to find a permanent site in Air Itam for the school,’’ he said.
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