Good school, good results... so what?

When we decided that it would be good to send Abg Idin to a boarding school, we also decided that ... the closer the better. It was like, yeah...let's put him into asrama BUT let's choose the nearest school so that it would be easy for us to visit him during the weekends. Hehehe...

We found out about SBPI Rawang.... 15 - 20 mins away from home. Waahhhhh.... very close indeed.

I had no clue (asyik clue-less jer Ibu ni?) what "Integrasi" meant then and thought little of it. Did not do any research or enquiry on the school academic records, the teachers' capability, the standards of the hostel, etc, etc .... So long the school is near to home, fine by me.

Yes - near to home was the key deciding factor.

A bit embarrasing at times when some friends or other parents asked why we chose that school, why not the premier schools, etc, etc, and I had to sheepishly answer, "Err... sebab tersangatlah dekat dengan rumah? So tak lah Ibu rindu sangat dgn anak sulung dia?". And my friends would tease me, woi... nak hantar masuk asrama ke tak nak ni?

Oh well... dua-dua nak la kawan...how laa....

So throughout the 1st year Abang Idin in SBPI Rawang, we had to endure such questions as "ohhh...sekolah baru ke?", "sekolah agama ke tu?" , "is it full boarding school ?", etc, etc ....

By the way, SBPI Rawang is in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang. And approaching the school, there is this road sign depicting "lembu crossing". Get the drift?

This year, SBPI Rawang is listed as one of the top 10 (government) schools based on PMR results and also the latest SPM results - alongside other bigger names.

Abang Idin is happy. Proud for his school. Nervous at the same time. Thinking... alamak... he is the future generation to maintain similar if not better results (good wake up call for him la kan?).

Ibu? I should be happy right? That the school which was never known to many before, is now listed as amongst the better ones?

Maybe I should be happy. Of course I am.

But heh...actually more nervous than happy.

So the school is proven that it can be 'good' - based on academic achievements.

But would it nurture Abg Idin to be better than just achieving good results?

Would it help Abg Idin develop a well rounded personality?

Would it prepare Abg Idin to be self sufficient and independent - from otherwise the familiar style of microscopic monitoring and/or constant nagging by teachers/parents/seniors to do what he's supposed to do (homework, revision, riadah, solat, mengaji, ibadah, etc, etc)?

Would it instill in Abg Idin the necessary ingredients to help him ultimately develop into a good faithful muslim?

Maybe I am thinking too much and that I should let it be and see how he develops?

Entah lah eh....

But nahhh.... I think it's good to bear these questions in mind. So that I can remind myself - things won't just happen. We have to make it happens.

The school is just the infrastructure - roof, pillars, classrooms & dorms. The students, with their hearts & minds, are the intellectual capital. Everything else is in between - to help achieve what every parent's heartfelt desire and wish for their children.

Usaha, doa ... then baru tawakkal.

Kan? Kan? Kan?

Just my mind talking...... ignore me.....