Principal has more to offer

SMK Seri Kembangan bids goodbye to Tay (inset) as he retires after serving as an educator for 37 years.

THE School Interaction System, an app that tracks students’ attendance and discipline was introduced during the time Tay Keng Lee was principal at SMK Seri Kembangan (SMKSK).

“After teachers record students’ attendance, a message will be sent to their parents to inform them if they are present or absent.

“For the discipline app, students’ information is stored on the Cloud.

“Teachers use their mobile phone to access this data to give merits or demerits to students,” said Tay who retired on March 19 after serving as a teacher, senior assistant and principal for the past 37 years.

Students can also earn merits to boost their morale.

The parent-teacher association paid for the app that was created for the school.

Tay Keng Lee  

This is one of the changes that Tay brought to the school.

“The school had a bad reputation in the past due to its disciplinary problems.

“After I took over as principal, my team and I worked together to transform the school,” he said during a retirement celebration organised by the school.

The students were each given a badge that said ‘I love SMKSK’ as Tay wanted them to feel a sense of belonging.

“As the discipline improved, students’ attitudes began to change. Once parents accepted it, they also worked with the school.

“During exams, I would sit under an umbrella outside the classrooms and wait until the exams ended.

“This was to give students moral support and discourage them from leaving early,” he said.

It is important to make time for students and use encouraging words as these can help them turn over a new leaf.

“Caning is not the solution to disciplining students,” he added.

Although he has just retired, Tay is not taking it easy and has planned his next move.

“I will continue as a principal in a private Chinese school in Klang.

“I have a vision and I believe I can still contribute, especially towards Chinese education,” added Tay, who just turned 60.

Former students Ng Hau Wen and Cheah Hong Lek, said Tay is kind and helpful.

Sarimah Yusoff, a Maths and Science teacher, said Tay faced challenges head on.

Also present were Selangor education department deputy director Muhamad Radzi Abdullah and Petaling Perdana district education officer Abdul Ghaffar Bakar.