The Official Newspaper of Ascend International School
Lift Use in MYP Building
This year, the entirety of the MYP has been introduced to the new building. This building is 7 stories high and has an abundance of classrooms and facilities on each floor. However, an outstanding issue that needs to be addressed is the transition between classes or breaks. The 6 floors in the building are split because the 3rd and 4th floor have not been made yet. Despite this kerfuffle in the building’s renovation, the school prohibited the use of lifts, causing a lot of inconveniences to the students.
As the students learn a variety of subjects in school, they have to go from classroom to classroom based on their schedule. This brings up a large problem for the students who have to move between the ground, first, second, and sixth floor. After the tremendous use of energy in recess, short break and PHE lessons, students are often too tired to use the stairs all the way to the sixth floor and then back down to the second for their classes. In the old building, the students were allowed to use the lift when going up floors, but not when going downstairs. Along with any other policies in the new building, this rule has been changed so that the students were not allowed to use the lift at all. Many believe that this is not only unfair, but unjust, considering the gap of classrooms in the third and fourth floors. Another factor to consider is the school environment. When the students are constantly fighting with the teachers for a spot on the lift, it negatively affects the school morale. Therefore, the school environment is filled with students who aren't arguing with teachers about transition time and fighting for a spot in the lift. Allowing lift use for the students would result in less time wasted, more energy saved for learning, and a positive school environment. The school needs to understand that students have a need for the lift when getting to classes.
To an extent, the school has its reasons for not permitting the use of lifts. Students do tend to be disrespectful towards the school equipment. Additionally, in the case of an emergency or a rare occurence of the lift not working, it could be unsafe for many students to be in the lift. Nonetheless, safety concerns have been significantly reduced now with the introduction of security cameras in the elevators. Another reason why the ban of lifts benefits the students is by promoting physical activity. By allowing elevator use students would depend and prioritize the lift over the stairs and occasionally this could make the students late.
To conclude, the school should permit students to use the lifts because the amount of benefits certainly outweigh the risks. Not only will it save time but by permitting this the students will also use their energy efficiently. To permit the elevator use to students is not only in the students best interest but also the teachers so that their classes are more efficient, well run and active.
-Arjun Shah