I’m going to another school!
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My Mummy was quite depressed yesterday about being a SAHM, the rainy weather (which keeps us indoors) and especially about the preschool she’d chosen earlier.
Why?
Well, she was all set with the documents and the dosh to sign me up already – in fact, even when I asked her to carry me halfway on the walk there, she didn’t even get mad.
When we arrived, the kindy was in session but Mummy was surprised at how quiet it was. After chatting with some of the teachers, filling in a form with our particulars, we went upstairs to see MY class.
I was raring to go already as I stood firm at the top of the carpeted stairs despite her repeated, “Come down here! Come down here!”. Instead, I replied, “Lucas wait here. Stand here!” To my credit, I was VERY NICE already waiting for them to finish chit-chat because I’d gone through all the Little Tikes houses, looked at the rabbits and was itching to run outside except for the rain.
Finally, we went upstairs to my class – one teacher was plonking on the piano with a little girl beside her while another younger one was sitting with 6-7 other little ones busy colouring a butterfly with a white crayon.
What made Mummy happy?
1. It WAS a small group
2. We took only about 15 minutes to reach the school, although I insisted on stomping on EVERY water puddle and stopped to look at various things.
What made Mummy unhappy?
1. Upon a second look, this preschool building’s old and unkempt appearance is more obvious. It needs a paintwork, grillework, tilework a.k.a. a major facelift.
2. My class was right in front of the kids’ toilet, which looked and smelled dirty. At one point, I agreed to pee when Mummy asked me. She and the teacher followed me into the toilet where I sat and peed on the tiny toilet. Wew…the stench was terrible! I even piped up,
“What that (s)mell? Pee! Pee (s)mell! Pee (s)mell not nice.”
3. The tiny cups, hand towels and shelves that held our personal items looked grubby. Even the tiny cots and bedding looked old and dirty. If they didn’t bother cleaning the toilets, how much care will they put into these?
4. The teachers were uncaring – the one with the group practically ignored me even though I’d pulled a chair to join. Since the accompanying teacher had already announced that I was a new student, she coud have at least offered me one of the colouring sheets and crayon. When they moved on to the new activity of putting together circular Meccano-type puzzles, she didn’t pass me any!
I was just sitting there forlornly with nothing in front of me. What the heck? I’m not invisible! And is that really the best way to ease a new student into the class routine?
5. The teacher played favourites – one of the more outspoken boys is clearly the teacher’s pet. When one of the other boys he smacked reported this to the teacher, she carelessly reprimanded the pet for the act. The boy only made a face and went to sit down again. The other boy tried hard to hold back tears rolling down his face. It’s obvious he’s hurt because a) he’d been smacked and b) the teacher ignored his plea.
The teacher’s pet ruled the class and periodically jostled with some of the kids. I’m quite a stubborn fella and my favourite trick is to act like a big, heavy, rock who refuses to budge when pushed. When the teacher’s pet pushed me, I just stood his ground. Mummy noticed that the young teacher looked annoyed at this that she enticed her pet with the puzzles.
Another new boy was still not so secure in the new setting and kept going to get his backpack. In the end, he strapped it on and refused to remove it. The impatient teacher scolded him and was actually quite rough with him. He’s another unhappy child.
6. I was the only foreign student there. Mummy was told the only other foreigners were a pair of Koreans. When asked how long they took to learn Chinese, the teacher said a year. What happened until then? The Koreans were one bewildered bunch who didn’t understand and were also not understood.
When I named the colours or commented in my usual way, none of the 3 teachers understood me. The youngest teacher even laughed at me and asked what language I’m using. Mummy didn’t like this at all – it’d be bad enough I won’t be understood half the time until I pick up Chinese. But to be laughed at each time I speak?
Also, Mummy sensed that the younger teacher somehow didn’t care for foreigners…Since none of the other Malaysian/Singaporean families sent their kids here, it’d be tough to build a network for the PTA etc in case there’s a need to approach the principal/teachers later.
7. They watch TV every day. Mummy was most indignant about this. Heck, I can watch TV at home on my own. Why do I need to go to school to do that? After just an hour of activities, we were all lined up in front of a TV to watch a Chinese cartoon.
It’s not even an educational one and the volume was set at such a deafening level as if everyone had loss their hearing!
During the tour, she also noticed that the older classes were watching TV – every classroom had their own set!
8. Their activities seem disorganized. While the group was colouring or putting together a puzzle, the other teacher seemed to be practising for her piano exams. Mummy appreciates the idea of having little learners subconsciously acquiring a love for classical music but she felt so discordant being in the room that one hour.
When the teacher announced that it’s time for lunch, Mummy decided it’s time for our graceful exit too. We went for half-a-lunch because midway through the steak and potatoes, I decided to help myself to the fresh veges, fruits and dressing at the salad bar. Time to da bao!
She wrote an email to Papa venting her frustrations at the preschool and suggested I go to the one further away. This is a really big move because Mummy will have to sacrifice her beauty sleep in the morning to get me ready for the bus by 8.00 am.
When it’s clear that I’m going to school, she’d looked forward to organizing her home office…
With this change in plans, she’s got to change her schedule too since she’ll follow me to school on the bus and then go there earlier to follow me back on the bus.
This morning, another nice auntie fetched us (and her 3 kids) to register at preschool 4. I’ve got my schoolbag, bedding, summer uniform and winter uniform already…
Yup, this little tyke’s going to school 
May God bless my teachers!!!
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July 31st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
That first school sounds atrocious! What kind of education system are they running anyway? In any case a little bit of sacrifice goes a long way, and I am sure you made the right decision
July 31st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
yea, thank God for another school! the fact that the teachers didn’t even made the effort to impress you as a parent, says it all….and worst, to ignore a totally new student on his first day! geez.
hope lucas adjust well to his new school!
August 1st, 2008 at 2:11 am
That school and teacher really need to “go fly kite”! Luckily you have another school to fall back to.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:40 am
Yikes! How come you did not notice those smelly toilet swhen you first inspect the place???
I’m glad you did not leave Lucas there…
All the best with the other school…..
August 1st, 2008 at 11:40 am
wah, there ain’t nothing that can escape this mommy’s eagle eyes and sharp instincts!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
hmm… it’s good that you observed all these things. Esp the favoritism..that won’t do any of the other kids any good. Poor kids.
August 1st, 2008 at 8:55 pm
it is really not easy for us mummy to get the right school
August 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Giddy Tigress – Err…it’s not that standardized here actually. I pray that I have. We’ll soon see if the school is as good as it looks.
Syn – Thanks
Yes, I’m holding my breath Monday!
Vien – Thanks, your comments always lift up my spirits
Angeleyes – We saw the school when it was not in session, thus wasn’t SO smelly lor…who knows it’d be that bad when school started? I’m so disappointed.
Anony-mouse – Haihs…too eagle-eyed maybe, I dunno? I fear I’m becoming overprotective.
Mott – I could close an eye to the other factors but the favouritism and teacher’s attitude really got to me. What to do ah? Once a teacher, always a teacher
Chinnee – Yeah, that’s right…I’m tempted to try homeschooling but think I’ll go mad at home LOL
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Thanks for the post. Will know what to look out for when I look for a preschool for YY.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
A Mom’s Diary – Got another post which will give even more info esp for that crucial 1st day.