The Institution of Victoria is slowly disintegrating by itself. The social structure is collapsing, threatening to bring everything that once stood with it. The proud Victorian’s existence is by itself diminishing and we know it. This is not sudden yet is caused by a few underlying reasons stretched over the years.
We have always been a semi-autonomous school with the school administration running everything else except the students. The students were indeed controlled and looked after by the upper formers and the prefects. This has been going on since the school was established 100 over years ago but the recent batches of administration deemed this unfit to be applied in the 21st century.
They took over the selection of prefects -the core artery of the school- making choices from the recommendations of teachers who insisted on installing pets, work dogs and people who listen too much when at times like this, we are in dire need of thinkers, leaders, and worthy men. But that’s not to say all of them are, just most. Instilling unworthy student as prefects has robbed the board of its prestige and respect. Eyes which used to stare in wonder and fear now look with disappointment and hopelessness. The administration should’ve never interfered with the selection of the Prefects.
Since appearing on the national newspapers, there has been a crackdown on ragging in schools. This is fairly welcomed since children are getting more and more protected and a mere slap on the hand might land you a court meeting. However, let us not forget that we are in an all boys school and we have to learn that our parents will not always be there to shield us. I remember vividly what my dad told me sometime ago, “Go and study, go and run around and go get into a fight. Then decide which is fun and which hurts.”
However, the school might have gone too far or disillusioned by their ‘white knight’ role that they will punish or suspend anyone suspecting of ragging without a full investigation. Take the recent case of the KRS where a boy reported to the P.k. H.E.M. that he was ragged. The leaders of the club were brought up to the discipline board where they were sentenced rather speedily to suspension till further notice. Eye witness exclaimed that no ragging occurred and the only contact made was a kick to the shin when the boy was doing push-ups –which is quite normal-. Nevertheless, the eye witness’s account was dismissed. It is inappropriate and wrong for the board to have acted thus. It portrays that the system is unfair and at worst corrupted where personal interest overshadow the rule of justice.
If there’s even any! Let me tell you a story, “2 prefects went out to eat and they came back caught, they were both brown and so was he and they were free to roam. 3 prefects went out to eat and also came back caught, but none was brown and he starts to frown and throws them into the box. They were looked upon and stripped to the toe and finally sent away!” How is it possible that two similar scenarios are handed so differently and the latter so ruthlessly that even people on the fringe felt wronged? Absurd……absurd…….absurd!
There used to be around 200 over first formers every year but the number has been dwindling for the past few years to about only 150 or so. This could be because the name of Victoria Institution no longer strikes home in people’s hearts or that the school is becoming more particular in the students she chooses to admit. Nevertheless, it is still alarming that then number of students is diminishing so quickly. Accompanying the drop is the unbalanced ratio of the racial mix. It used to be 50% Bumiputeras, 30% Chinese and 20% Indian however; the ratio has changed dramatically with a sharp rise in the number of bumiputeras selected and dips in the other two races. It is unclear if the school has any special racial preferences or if it’s an order from higher authorities but the change in the ratio is disadvantageous to both the school and the students itself.
Malaysia is a multi racial country and integration of the races is paramount to the stability of the country. The best location for implementing this is in schools and institution of learning. If the ratio of the races is severely handicapped which is the case now in VI where 80% of 1st formers are Bumiputeras while 10% are Chinese and the other 10% Indians. This forces the minority to mingle more amongst themselves than with other races. That’s that for muhibbah.
Opportunely, a new hostel block has been constructed and there are rumours of VI changing into a full boarding school. This would explain the increase in the number of bumiputeras selected for they are more willing to live in hostels. I am however, questioning the practicality –if it’s true- of having a full boarding school in the heart of K.L. The students are mostly from or live near the city and the public transport is ubiquitous. Furthermore, can students be contained within the school compound at night when the attractions of the city’s night life are just a couple of blocks away?
The money spent on constructing a new hostel block should’ve instead been channelled to other parts of the school that requires more funding. For instance, the money should’ve been spent on upgrading the basic infrastructure of the school, repairing and improving the sporting facilities and of course, better toilets. Yet, the interest of many is second-rate to providing comfort for the few. Once again, it’s a case of misguided principles and failure to prioritize, something which we’ve been taught since we were young but I guess wisdom forsakes a few old men and we’re all just unlucky to have them in our midst.
