Turning SM Tunku Abdul Rahman around

LAST year, SM Tunku Abdul Rahman (STAR), Ipoh, made the headlines last year for the wrong reasons. The school expelled 20 students for forming a “high council” that bullied and terrorised the juniors. Among other things, the group ragged and extorted money from the students. It is hard enough maintaining discipline in regular schools, doing so at residential schools is a lot more demanding as it is a 24-hour job. No one knows this better than STAR principal Arrifin Abdul Rahman who was brought in to turn the school around. S. INDRAMALAR speaks to the veteran teacher who has made his mark in the past year, and in the process won the respect and co-operation of his students, teachers, peers and ministry officials.