Report to Secondary School

21 Dec 07 8.30 am - all P6 students report to their individual posted secondary schools.

That morning, we woke up around 7.30 and left home half an hour later.
Waited for the bus 985 about 10 mins, we took a 15 mins ride and after which 5 mins walk to reach the school.

The school looked new and definitely fresh to all the shcool kids. After a brief registeration, we proceed to the school hall. The children took the front in their respective class. Oh btw, she is in class 1E2. The parents took the seat behind in the hall.

The speech began around 9.00 by the discpline master. He gave an introduction to the school and also some guidelines to the new students. These kids will have a 3-day orientation ending with a campfire on fir, 4 Jan 2008.

Thereafter, we were dismissed and proceed to get the books and uniform.
Queue for the books was too llong, so we decide to buy the uniform first.
The kids, separated by gender, took their row for measurement so to get the correct size.
So we bought 2 sets each for the uniform and PE attire which already cost $72. Wow!

Then the school books. Before the briefing in the morning, we received a clear file including the book list. I got a shock. The textbooks alone cost nearly $200 and the compulsory stationery which is about $50.

As we have not enough money to buy the art materials and optional items, we spent $260 to buy the textbooks and stationery. Wow! Wow!

Actually prior to these, our neighbour told us that we need to prepare about $400 to $500. At first, I did not think so but now. Sigh....

Then what about those kids coming from low income families? How are they able to manage
such a high cost? It is going to be tougher when these teenagers get further to their education.

Well, life is real hard nowadays!
:(