An RI Student Started a Petition to Oust Principal for Rumours Like Air-Con Removal

What do you do when you hear rumours that your school might be removing air-conditioning in some areas?

Or that you might need to wear full uniform four days a week?

(Wait, didn’t we all wear full uniform five days a week?)

Well, you start an online petition, of course. Not just to resist the change, but to oust the principal

Sounds like a scene from a Netflix series? No. This really happened in Raffles Institution (RI).

An RI Student Started a Petition to Oust Principal for Rumours Like Air-Con Removal

A recent online petition has put RI principal Aaron Loh in the spotlight (again; more on that later), calling for his removal over purported changes that students and alumni claim have sparked discontent across the school community.

The petition, launched on 24 October by an anonymous student (aptly called Anonymous Rafflesian) on Change.org, criticizes Mr Loh’s decisions on uniforms, co-curricular activities (CCAs), air conditioning, and handling of student concerns, alleging a disregard for student welfare.

So, what are the “decisions” that aren’t confirmed?

One of the alleged changes that stirred student frustration involves a stricter uniform policy, purportedly requiring students to wear the full school uniform four days a week starting in 2025.

Critics argue this would be “uncomfortable” due to Singapore’s warm climate, with some questioning Mr Loh’s rationale of promoting “character” and “identity” through this change.

You can watch this video to understand why students in Singapore need to wear school uniform:

The petition further claims that Mr Loh’s administration plans to phase out certain CCAs, including the judo program, citing low enrollment.

This alleged move is also the focus of a separate petition launched on 26 October, with supporters arguing that the judo CCA offers valuable life skills and represents a key avenue for national sports talent development.

For this petition, there are now 1,683 signatures, with the goal of 2,500. Unlike the previous petition, this petition is started by a person who revealed their name.

Students expressed concern that eliminating CCAs, as well as the rumored downgrading of some academic clubs from Merit to Core CCAs, could limit participation options, impacting student portfolios and applications to programs like the National Institute of Education’s Leadership in Education Programme (LEAP).

Air-conditioning removal from classrooms is another rumoured change causing considerable uproar.

On social media, students highlighted the need for air-conditioning in Singapore’s tropical climate, citing concerns about academic performance and comfort.

One student remarked, “Students need a conducive environment to focus,” while others argued the move could be unnecessarily disruptive.

By the way, how did I survive through school in the past ah?

But it’s not just non-academic stuff.

Further issues stem from reported shifts in RI’s curriculum, including potential cuts to Philosophy, Research Education (RE), and the Raffles Academy. They argue these changes could hinder the intellectual development of students by removing advanced courses and reducing exposure to critical thinking disciplines.

Additionally, changes to RI’s Gap Semester Programme and a rumored transition to the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) platform have also been cited as points of concern, with students worried that these shifts could reduce the program’s depth.

The petition also criticizes Mr Loh’s response to a high-profile racial incident at RI.

In July this year, a student wore a Foodpanda uniform and a dark-skinned mask for Racial Harmony Day, sparking controversy. The petition claims Mr Loh’s reaction was perceived as “sitting on the fence,” with some calling it inadequate in addressing the underlying racial sensitivity. Mr Loh reportedly indicated that disciplinary action was taken, but students have expressed disappointment at the perceived lack of decisive response.

However, a speech made by him has gone viral, with people praising how he addressed the issue:

@sginformant See article for longer clip of speech. #singapore #fypsg #rafflesinstitution ♬ original sound – sginformant

How the tides have turned within a few months.

But then again…

Divided Reactions Within the Student Body

While the petition has gained traction, attracting over 777 signatures as of time writing (with a goal of 1,000 signatures), not all RI students are on board.

In Reddit, some have defended Mr Loh, pointing out that many of the changes mentioned remain unconfirmed.

Someone argued that several of the decisions are based on rumors rather than official announcements. He contended that removing under-enrolled CCAs like judo could free resources for more popular programs, potentially creating new opportunities for student enrichment.

Others in the student community expressed frustration at the petition’s public nature, suggesting that voicing concerns directly to school staff would have been a more mature approach. In other words, don’t air your dirty laundry.

But at least they didn’t post about their demands on TikTok #justsaying

RI’s Response to Concerns and Ongoing Review

Responding to the backlash, Mr Loh addressed the growing concerns, emphasizing that RI regularly reviews policies and actively consults with stakeholders, including staff and student representatives.

He reiterated that the school aims to maintain alignment with the Ministry of Education’s objectives while supporting students’ well-being and learning requirements.

Mr Loh stated in a response to The New Paper that the school is currently conducting such a review in consultation with our stakeholders.

He also encouraged students to provide feedback through official channels, assuring them that the school would engage with the community on any formal changes once the review concludes.

Anyways, can someone start a petition to build an entire air-conditioner over Singapore?