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WILL there be a familial split between Victoria Junior College
(VJC) and its affiliated all-boys secondary school, Victoria School
(VS)?
That is the question posed by many people following VJC's
proposal to the Ministry of Education (MOE) to extend its Victoria
Integrated Programme (VIP) to a six-year programme.
It's a decision made 'as a means to strengthen the VIP,'
according to VJC's vice-principal, Miss Audrey Chen, as VJC
'believes that there are significant educational advantages in
having an uninterrupted six-year programme for them to engage in a
wider range of learning experiences for holistic development'.
Currently, VJC offers a four-year VIP to Secondary Three
students that began in 2005. The college receives between 400 and
600 applicants each year for just 120 places.
A number of these students are from VS.
Resistance
VJC's proposal comes despite resistance from the Old Victorians
Association (OVA) and other old boys who fear that the VIP
extension will create rivalry between the two schools and create a
split within the Victorian family.
This latest move from VJC comes two years after failed talks
with VS to admit girls.
VJC's proposal is supported by the the Victoria Executive
Committee (VEC).
When contacted, a member of the executive committee told The New
Paper that both VJC's and VS' interests are 'equally
important'.
Said the member, who didn't want to be named: 'It is our desire
for both schools to develop while maintaining close affiliation
between the two.'
Added Miss Chen: 'Over the last few years, the two have actively
engaged key stakeholders on a possible extension of the VIP to
Secondary One students, including a possible merger with VS.'
But VJC's move to act independently - after earlier attempts to
merge with VS proved fruitless - has met with opposition.
Over 1,500 have signed up as members of a Facebook group calling
out to The Faithful & Grateful Sons of Victoria.
Said the creator of the Facebook group and VS-VJC alumnus, who
wanted to be known only as Sanjay: 'I feel hurt by such a prospect
as VS has always treated VJC like family.'
Sanjay, 21, is a full-time national serviceman.
Continue to maintain ties
Miss Chen has given the assurance that 'regardless of the
outcome of the proposal, VJC will continue to maintain close ties
with VS and work in partnership to keep the Victorian spirit
strong'.
But the worry of some old boys like Sanjay is that the Victorian
family would be split down the middle with a 'conflict of
interests'.
The New Paper understands that the proposal has the backing of
the executive committee but not the old boys, which has sent a
letter of appeal to the MOE.
When contacted by The New Paper, an OVA spokesman said: 'We are
disappointed with VJC's decision. The proposal was made without
comprehensive discussion between all stakeholders - like students,
parents, and old boys.'
OVA had conducted a consultation paper with about 60 Victorian
alumni, and the result was 'almost unanimous' against VJC's
move.
Added its spokesman: 'VS has 133 years of heritage which is
borne by the Victorian 'brand'. Should VJC go alone with its
six-year VIP, we don't know if its use of the Victorian 'brand'
will still be appropriate.'
The MOE told The New Paper that it is in the process of
evaluating the proposal.
Said the OVA spokesman: 'If the proposal gets through, VJC will
become an unnecessary rival of VS, and students looking to enter
the Victorian family will be confused as to which school to
join.'
If approved, how big of an impact will VJC's integrated
programme have on its sibling school?
'If the VIP intake remains around the same as it is now at 120,
it should not significantly affect VS' intake,' said the executive
committee member.
Hoe Pei Shan, newsroom intern
This article was first published in The New
Paper.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090814-161176.html
