KOTA KINABALU: The committee of inquiry set up by the SM Kian Kok board of directors to look into the protest by outgoing teachers and students during the school’s convocation ceremony recently, proposed that the teachers and students involved should apologise to the school and individuals who were affected by their actions.
The nine-member committee of inquiry, headed by Datuk Tan Tiang Lai, was set up shortly after the protest on November 1.
Over the course of eight days, the committee interviewed 44 individuals, including teachers, former teachers, teachers who were terminated, representatives from the graduates, Senior Two students who did and did not take part in the protest, Senior One students, senior administrator of the school, parents, principal and members of the board of directors.
The report will be submitted to the school’s board of directors.
The school has allegedly terminated the service of several teachers, which prompted one of the outgoing teachers to express her dissatisfaction over her dismissal on stage during her farewell speech in the convocation ceremony, with a few other dismissed teachers on stage as well. A group of students also protested against the teachers’ termination by holding up placards.
In a press statement issued by the committee of inquiry yesterday, it was said the committee found no evidence to prove that the outgoing teachers instigated, encouraged or hinted at students to raise their placards during the convocation ceremony.
The committee also learnt that the students did not plan for the protest prior to the event. The students involved bought the placards from a nearby stationary shop at 7am on the day of the convocation to voice out their views. The committee opined that the students acted out of sympathy and devotion to the teachers who were terminated, or resigned.
“The students felt helpless with the teachers’ departure. Furthermore, the students chose to voice out their anxiety during the convocation as the upcoming school holidays are just around the corner.”
The committee did not approve the behavior of Goh Tsui Mei, one of the dismissed teachers who vented out on her and her colleagues’ dismissal, which initiated the students’ protest.
The committee stated that the protest has tarnished the school’s image, and is of the opinion that the teachers involved in the protest should apologise to the school for their behavior during the convocation ceremony.
The statement said the committee understood the reasons the students protested; however their actions damaged the school, board of directors and the principal’s reputations.
“We think that the students should apologize to the school, the principal, teachers, graduating students and certain individuals, as well as be given serious warnings.”
Tan said the committee would be submitting a detailed analysis report to the board of directors in the near future.
Tan said he was satisfied with the results of the inquiry and believed that the board of directors would take proactive actions soon.
He also thanked the parents and individuals who were concerned about the issue for their support, as well as to members of the committee of inquiry for taking their time for Chinese education affairs.