Rethink need for primary school graduation at hotels

PRIMARY schools are having full-fledged graduation ceremonies these days.

It appears that grand graduation ceremonies are a growing trend in the past years; and that many schools are holding it at hotels, at the parents’ expense.

A friend of mine said she paid RM190 for her daughter to attend her primary school’s graduation ceremony at a hotel, which she was not invited to, maybe due to space constraints.

Additionally, she had to chip in RM40 for an external choreographer to train the pupils for a dance performance on that day.

To be fair, she said the teachers did consult the parents on whether they would prefer the graduation ceremony to be held in the school or at a hotel, with the latter being the choice of the majority who responded.

But what is the rationale for having graduation ceremonies for primary school pupils?

Firstly, in the government schooling system, completing the final year in primary school at Year Six is not a feat, but more of a child’s fundamental right to enter secondary school.

According to Section 29A(2) of the Education Act 1996, parents must send their children to primary school for at least six years, failing which they can be fined a maximum of RM5,000, jailed for up to six months or both.

This means every child would complete primary school regardless of their examination results.

It is costly having to pay for a graduation ceremony at a hotel. Not all parents have the extra cash to spare for such events.

In fact, many would be burdened by the expenses for the new schooling term which starts in March.

Parents who are not keen may be pressured or guilt-tripped to pay for the graduation ceremony, for the sake of their child’s happiness and not feel left out.

The Education Ministry disbursed RM150 to each pupil under the yearly Early Schooling Aid to reduce the burden borne by the parents or their guardians.

Some parents may have used the money to pay for these graduation fees, instead of buying school necessities like uniform, shoes, exercise book and stationery which it was originally intended for.

I am not sure what would be the arrangement for pupils who could not afford the payment for the graduation ceremony.

Certainly organising such events is tiring and an additional burden not only for the teachers but for pupils as well.

After all, there is already the prize-giving ceremony that must be held to acknowledge the high achievers in the school.

Would pupils appreciate all the trouble that the parents and teachers go through for this graduation ceremony?

While 12-year-olds may be old enough to sit still throughout the entire formal ceremony, would they have enjoyed themselves?

I believe most children would be happy with simple food and lots of engaging activities, which could be carried out in the school at a smaller expense.

Potluck class parties or in this case “graduation” parties would be a great way to end the year. Perhaps a small payment from parents for this sort of function would be more acceptable.

It will be interesting to know what the pupils themselves would prefer and what would a grand graduation ceremony mean for them.

Another better way to end the year would be with a school trip to a local destination.

Some schools organise trips abroad under the name of cultural exchange, which costs thousands of ringgit that only a handful of parents can afford.

While cultural exchanges are good, the irony is that many of these pupils may not have explored their own country’s rich cultural heritage.

It is important to keep the charges affordable because the idea should be to get as many pupils, from all economic backgrounds, to join in the activity.

Graduation ceremonies used to be exclusive to those that have completed their tertiary education.

Parents take much pride in hanging up the photos of their children’s graduation on the walls at home.

It is also a norm for kindergarten pupils to have graduation photoshoots, as these days there is a graduation ceremony at every level of education.

Perhaps it is time to rethink our objectives and prioritise according to needs.

I feel graduation ceremonies at the kindergarten and primary school levels are not necessary, as they are an additional burden to the parents, teachers as well as the pupils.

The only reasonable graduation ceremony would be for those who have completed and passed the exams in secondary school level, because for some it is the end of their academic journey.