KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — In a move to provide broader educational opportunities, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St John’s plans to have its own university college focusing on vocational education.

According to the school’s board of governors chairman, Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney, the university college was aimed at giving students additional options for continuous education.

“We understand that not all students excel in their studies academically but given hands-on education such as vocational training, these kids have a fair shot in having a future and not give up on education completely,” he said.

He said this during the announcement of SMK St John’s 110th anniversary celebration next year here today.

Megat Mizan said the school believed that students should be given every possible opportunity to choose what they wanted to do in life, and as an educational institution, it was the school’s responsibility to ensure all students get a chance to gain the knowledge they needed in life.

“At St John’s, we might not get all straight A students but all of our students are groomed to be gentlemen,” he said.

During the event, Megat Mizan said Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St John’s, popularly known by its former name, St John’s Institution, had lined up a number of activities all-year round, in view of its 110th anniversary celebration.

Celebrations will begin as early as January, with a birthday party and the peak of the celebration will be ‘The 110th Anniversary Gala Dinner’ on May 17 at the Royal Chulan Hotel and a homecoming event on June 28, in conjunction with the school’s sports day, completing the school’s anniversary celebration.

Established in 1904, St John’s Institution is one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur, with a long list of illustrious alumni which includes Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz. — Bernama