Recently, there are only two art schools in Malaysia, one in Sarawak, and another in our local home, Johor Bahru at Jalan Abdul Samad here. Obvious reason to build art school in these two places simply because both have diverse art and culture heritage, which is true.

Now with 248 students and increasing number each year, the State Education Department is planning to move the school to a new place in Seri Alam within three years as the school currently shares the buildings of SMK Mohd Khalid.

The department’s deputy director, Markom Giran said while waiting for that three years, his department has spent RM400,000 on two cabins that were turned into classrooms for students. Each cabin housed four classrooms with 46 students.

Well, my personal opinion on the idea of turning a cabin into classrooms is quite okay since the facility provided is standardize just like in a normal class. They still have furniture and for students, they do not have to sit on a mat though.

Plus, just anytime, the cabin can also be turned into studios for dancing practices, theater rehearsals and such. Okay now we talk about multifunction.

In terms of academic syllabus, the school focuses on dance, music, theater and visual arts in addition with other academic subjects.

Yeah, I understand very well that to balance studies with another interest and passion, arts for instance, is not an easy job. But I know they can make it through while becoming the ‘ambassador’ for promoting our culture to the world.

Visit Johor Bahru Art School.

For inquiries, please call Elaine at 012-704 3363 or email at elaine_yai@yahoo.com.