Bullying (Hectic Role Takes A Toll)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
makes life a wonderful journey.

            In an effort to curb ragging incidents in boarding schools, the government plans to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in specific areas, according to the news report “Stop ragging in schools” (NST, Nov 7). Bullying cases normally take place in school hostels and wardens on duty are the first persons to refer to, or for some, to blame.

I was a warden for four years in two different schools and the experience was one of a kind. Hectic days at school and sleepless nights at the hostel were my definition of a teacher-cum-warden.

            Being the only male warden, I had no choice but to be on duty the whole academic year. As wardens, we work on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, especially during the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia period.

            In boarding schools, wardens carry their responsibilities as form teachers, disciplinary board members, advisers of clubs and coaches for co-academic competitions, to name a few. They are also examiners, invigilators, adjudicators and committee members for various programmes held at school, district and state levels.

            At the hostel, wardens carry their duty of care by constantly reminding students to obey hostel rules to avoid procedural action being taken against them as prevention is better than cure.

Wardens, too, need to be actively involved in students’ daily routine. Every time hostel occupants have their meals, wardens need to be present in the dining hall to ensure that everything goes well. Roll calls are taken in the morning before students leave for school, in the evening before they disperse for games and sports, and at night before they go to bed.            

            When students break the rules, wardens spend extra hours to deal with offenders. Sometimes, it takes days and weeks when it comes to handling serious offences. Besides, wardens are forced to respond to complaints from parents, teachers and the community regarding students’ attitude.

            Since hostel students are expected to be all-rounders – individuals with excellent academic performance, good leadership skills, active participation in sports, and exemplary manners - wardens need to carry out effective programs to meet the expectation. On weekdays and weekends, wardens have to check the dormitories and reports need to be compiled on a daily basis.   

I recommend that owing to the responsibilities and workload involved, a non-teacher be picked to fill the warden post.

            I handed in my resignation letter in April after my health condition deteriorated due to hypertension.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

10 November 2014