It is Monday, the beginning of the new semester. The bell rings. Rushing down from the stairs hastily, we see students assembling in the hall, waiting for Ms. Lei Suang to enter. There, she walks into the hall heftily — carrying with her a small book colored in white and orange accompanied with unique patterns, as the school logo is printed out hugely. Yes, it is none other than the student handbook.
The Sacred Book of a Thousand Rules (read: The Student Handbook) has long been applied and distributed to the students of Sekolah Mutiara Harapan. However, it is just recently — that the rules and its consequences have been taken seriously into account. Take for example — dress codes. Students who initially were able to wear socks under ankle level, now has to wear one where it covers the ankles — which means the socks must in any circumstance be visible. This is just one out of the other sophisticated rules.
The ratification of these new rules and consequences ensued pandemonium and complaints among the students of Sekolah Mutiara Harapan — specifically that from the Senior High level. Most of them would straight out say that the rules are way too tight — too conservative in fact. Some students, would even joke around and say that they would easily get dropped out of the school due to the “harshness” of the rules.
Frankly speaking, the rules aren’t really much of a problem. Sure, there might be one or two rules that I would like to be reverted (such as the usage of jackets) however, the rules were made not without a reason. Personally, I would bravely say that the disciplinary level of students in Sekolah Mutiara Harapan must be proliferated. The rules have long been applied but there never were “robust” consequences to those who break it. Sure, school might become a lot more strict but that results in a more regulated learning environment. The old saying that goes “rules are made to be broken” does not apply here. Rules are made to control and regulate — and to show that we are indeed compliant students, it is our duty to practice these rules and not break them. Remember, breaking one of the rules will issue a warning letter — and oh boy you don’t want to get into trouble, do you? Having been in this school for more than 10 years, I can ensure you that Sekolah Mutiara Harapan always aims to develop student’s discipline and make them manifest good attitudes.
Oh, and speaking of the ridiculous rules — like dress codes and the usage of mobile phones — as ridiculous as they sound, they are there to control and ensure that Sekolah Mutiara Harapan will have a positive and educative learning environment — so next time you enter the class, turn off your phones and listen to the teacher! You can text your girlfriend or boyfriend as soon as the bell rings!
To sum up, the rules have never really changed. It is because us, that we never really took them seriously, that we never feared its consequences. If you are indeed students of Sekolah Mutiara Harapan, you would want to show a positive attitude towards your surroundings — and one of those would be exercising these rules! Remember, it is not the rules that matters — it’s you!
And no, I am not in any way forced by the school to write this.
By: M Faiz Heriadi (Grade 12 student)