Students observe its Traditional Costume Day programme
KUCHING: SMK Batu Kawa continued its proud tradition of acknowledging the festivities celebrated by the various races in the state by observing a special event last week.
Knownastheschool’sTraditional Costume Day Programme, students and even teachers of the school wore traditional costumes of the various races found in the country during the event.
This time, the event was held in conjunction with the Hari Gawai festivity celebrated by the Dayak community in the state on June 1.
As the event was held in conjunction with Hari Gawai, most students wore Dayak traditional costumes on that day while non-Dayak students were also encouraged to do the same.
According to school principal Joseph Ng Shan Tsing, the programme promotes unity among teachers and students who come from various racial and religious background studying at the school.
Apart from that, the programme was also done to educate the students about the cultural heritage of Sarawak and Malaysia.
“The event was held in our school here last Tuesday (June 13). We encouraged students to wear their traditional costumes as to make them know the country’s racial and religious background better,” he added when speaking to reporters yesterday.
A special assembly was held at the school’s hall in which the principal delivered a message promoting unity and tolerance to the students.
Ever since the school started the tradition, Ng revealed that it has since become a normal thing for students to wear the traditional costumes of races other than their own during the programme.
“This programme has a huge impact on the students as everyone in this school has become tolerant and respectful of each other. That is what this programme is actually about - respect for others,” he said.
Ng also commented that the school’s Traditional Costume Day Programme will be held again in conjunction with the coming Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations.
SMK Batu Kawa is located at Jalan Field Force, Batu Kawa near here.