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Kota Kinabalu: Kian Kok Middle School officially marked the beginning of the 2026 academic year with its opening ceremony, graced by Chairman of the Board of Directors Datuk Clement Yeh, members of the Board, representatives of the Hokkien Association Kota Kinabalu, the Kian Kok Middle School Alumni Association, as well as teachers and students.

In his keynote address, Yeh highlighted the Board’s firm commitment to pragmatic, results-driven education and long-term sustainability. He pointed out that while many Chinese independent secondary schools nationwide are facing declining enrolment due to demographic changes, Kian Kok Middle School has demonstrated resilience and steady growth in student numbers since the pandemic.

This, he noted, reflects strong parental confidence and community recognition of the school’s educational direction, governance, and real achievements.

Yeh stressed that education cannot rely on slogans alone. Guided by a practical approach, the school has strengthened academic outcomes through initiatives such as elite classes, allowing more focused instruction and higher academic standards, particularly in major public examinations like the SPM and the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).

At the same time, he reaffirmed that the school has never abandoned any student, emphasising that both elite and non-elite classes receive equal care, guidance, and responsibility from teachers. Academic excellence and moral character, he said, must advance together.

The Chairman also underscored the school’s forward-looking development in vocational education. The first cohort of students from the culinary programme achieved a 93.75 per cent pass rate in the Unified Examination Certificate for Culinary Studies, with one student attaining four A’s.

These results, he explained, demonstrate that vocational education at Kian Kok Middle School is rigorous and disciplined, offering promising pathways as demand grows for skilled professionals in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.

He further shared that ten culinary students will proceed to Lee-Ming Institute of Technology in Taiwan after the Lunar New Year, commencing university studies earlier than their peers.

On infrastructure and innovation, Yeh highlighted the completion of the eight-storey school building, the full installation of smart televisions in classrooms from 2025 onwards, and the upgrading of the computer laboratory with support from the Kinabalu Foundation.

Looking ahead, the school plans to gradually implement AI-assisted marking for essays and assessments across subjects, while sharing its experience with Chinese primary schools in the Kota Kinabalu area to jointly advance Chinese education.

Complementing the Chairman’s strategic vision, the school principal reaffirmed the school’s firm stance on discipline, student responsibility, and values education.

He emphasised that the challenges faced by students today often stem not from lack of ability, but from weakened self-discipline and attitudes toward learning.

Classroom focus, respect for teachers, and timely submission of homework remain the foundation of effective education.

The principal also stressed that the school will continue to enforce clear rules on student discipline and health management, including strict measures against electronic cigarette use.

These policies, he said, are necessary bottom lines to protect students’ well-being and future development. Addressing student conduct, he reminded students that secondary education is a crucial stage for building strong foundations, and that discipline and responsibility are essential for long-term success.

Both speakers concluded by reaffirming that every effort undertaken by Kian Kok Middle School is to live up to the trust placed in it by the Chinese community.

With clear direction from the Board and firm guidance from the school administration, Kian Kok Middle School is poised to move forward steadily in the new academic year, continuing to nurture students who are both capable and principled.

During the opening ceremony, the school also witnessed a meaningful act of community support.

The Honorary Advisor to the Board of Directors and a distinguished alumnus of the school, Datuk Eliza Goh, demonstrated her deep concern for academically outstanding yet financially disadvantaged students by actively mobilising assistance for his alma mater.

Through his efforts, a total of RM30,000 was successfully raised for student financial aid.

At the ceremony, Goh formally presented a mock cheque to Yeh, marking an important step toward strengthening the school’s student assistance framework.

The contribution aims to ensure that capable and motivated students are not forced to discontinue their studies due to financial hardship, reflecting the school’s commitment to both educational equity and talent development.

In addition, an anonymous parent from China made a generous contribution in the form of cash rewards to recognise students who achieved excellent results in the Junior and Senior Unified Examinations.

The incentive serves not only as an affirmation of students’ diligence and perseverance, but also as encouragement to foster a positive campus culture that values both academic achievement and learning attitude.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of awards by the Board of Directors to more than twenty Junior One students, including recipients of the “Top Ten Scholars”, Outstanding Students, and High Achievement Awards.

The awards recognised students’ strong academic performance at the beginning of their secondary school journey and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence, emphasising the spirit of continuous improvement and self-discipline.