GSIS and Ma On Shan

[genome]

As a parent I put a lot of trust in the school educating my child. Sadly with the recent events at the GSIS and the temporary move of the primary school to Ma On Shan. (Temporary even though it is going to be for four years.)I am beginning to question this trust and the motives of the school. There have been numerous meetings, consultations, school visits, beautiful artists impressions of the new school and countless words on the web site about this move and the long term benifits it will have.

The one thing that has not been addressed is how this is tearing the school apart and destroying the ethos of the school. The board is adamant that this move must happen even though there is a large parent population that disagrees and wants to help come up with a more palatable solution. There have been accusations, counter accusations, lawyers have gotten involved and even the press has been supplied with articles but I still have the one question

"Why can the board and the parents not come together as a community of rational, intelligent and connected individuals to create a plan that will satisfy all. This should go a long way in returning some of the trust that has been lost?"

I am interested to hear other peoples views on this matter.

 

[berlin]

what is wrong with ma on shan.

 

[MommyTo3]

Berlin ... not sure whether you're aware of the current location and the "new" one at Ma On Shan, it's not really around the corner (at all).

It will mean that some children (Primary aged) living on the Southside of HK Island (and there are quite a few going to GSIS based on its current location) have to commute 60-70 minutes for a one way ... children of 4, 5 years old and up.

It was a reason for us not to apply at GSIS.

 

[lesliefu]

I understand where you are coming from Genome as my sister had applied for her son to go there, got a place, paid the deposit to reserve a spot and then when she went to the new parent meeting was told that they would be expanding and as such, her child would be studying at the peak for the 1st year then move to ap lei chau for the 2nd year and then end up in ma on shan for the 3rd year. we are talking about a 4 year old boy - who will have to not only adjust for 3 different campuses but also spend hours in the car...which might amount to a little less than the time he spends in school! she felt she was mislead and when she confronted the school they told her that she could not have her deposit back because there was no refund for that. i guess they made that clear to her in the beginning, but she's way pissed with the way they purposely left out important details until people registered. she's forfeited the deposit because she just can't imagine her kid spending so much time in a car back and from school.

 

[genome]

Thank you for your reply. I would also hazard to guess that the schools response was probably along the lines of "it was all on the web site didn't you read about the move." This seems to be the generic response that is given on this subject to parents who are in a similar situation. I really don't understand why the school cannot be upfront about the fact that the young children in elementary school is going to be shipped out to Ma On Shan since they think it is such a good idea. Good luck to your sister.

 

[Seb's Dad]

as someone who is not affiliated with GSIS in any way, i'm guessing that as the move has to be made sometime, and the board feels that since there is no good time for the move, they might as well do it now. no parent is ever going to want their child to be uprooted.

the reason they can't come together and create a plan that will satisfy all is because the parents don't want their children to be inconvenienced, and due to the shortage of space in hong kong, and it is going to be a huge inconvenience, but it needs to be done and therefore, they are going to do it.

 

[genome]

Dim sum mum thank you for your reply. I don't think that anyone disagrees that something needs to be done for the development of the school. It is just that I am not comfortable with the solution being the banishing of the youngest children to the furtherst campus and the way in which it was derived. The board seems unwilling to listen to any solutions that the parents may suggest or use the parents connections to come up with a different option. I fear however that you may be right that the board is going to ignore the wishes and concerns of the parents and do whatever the board deems fit. Irregardless of the impact this is going to have on the youngest pupils of the school.

 

[Seb's Dad]

hi genome
i completely get where you are coming from.

i don't know anything about solutions that parents are coming up with, but i would HOPE that the board is open to listening to them.

however, the board is likely going to be of the opinion that:
a) there are always going to be four year olds,
b) it is always going to be an inconvenience

so they might as well get on with it.

i think you and the other parents are doing the best thing by coming up with alternatives, make sure you have costings and know about government permission (if you are looking at moving to alternate buildings). and let the school know that you have SUPPORT of the parents, that this just isn't a small nucleus of unhappy parents.

good luck to you and the other parents.

 

[genome]

Dim sum mum thank you for your suggestions they are greatly received and will be utilised. Thank you also for your best wishes to the parents who are just trying to come up with the best solution for the children.

 

[genome]

Just as a quick update. The school has put out a survey for the parents which seems to completely miss the point that the parents are not against the redevelopment of the school but would like to help come up with better solution for the elementary children being shipped out to Ma On Shan. The board also retains the right to the final decision irregardless of the outcome of the survey. As a side note when I leave to work in the morning 6.40am the GSIS bus is already picking up children to go to school. I live in Pok Fu Lam. So what time would the bus have to pick up the children if they needed to go to Ma On Shan? Looks like I am going to be a former parent of GSIS.

Thanks All