To the Cafeteria and Beyond

     The cafeteria is one of the most important places in Sekolah Victory Plus. Most teachers and secondary students spend their break time and lunch time in the cafeteria. Every lunch period, the cafeteria is always full of students and teachers who are eating their lunch. One of the main reasons as to why the cafeteria is always full is because students are not allowed to eat inside the class, or in any area outside the cafeteria. Because of this, a lot of students experience difficulties in looking for an empty table because the cafeteria becomes full very quickly. In order to solve this issue, SVP secondary students should be allowed to eat outside the cafeteria area because the current space is not big enough, and the space could be used more effectively.

     First of all, the current space of SVP cafeteria is not big enough. There are over 300 secondary students, but there are only about 200 chairs. The secondary students’ eating area is restricted to the cafeteria. However, due to the little space in the cafeteria, most students who are dismissed late, or for some reason arrive at the cafeteria late, experience difficulties in finding seats. If students were allowed to eat outside the cafeteria, then it wouldn't be as difficult for the latecomers to find a place to eat. During an interview, a La Myra Bening, a ninth grader, said, “I find it difficult to get a seat in the cafeteria during lunch, because every time I get there, it’s always crowded. I would like it if we were allowed to eat outside the cafeteria, preferably in front of the library.” Another ninth grader, Nadya Prasetyo, agreed to this statement. She also added, “It’s very difficult. Even if you arrive just a little late, there’s no hope for eating in the cafeteria.”

     Another reason is the fact that the space outside the cafeteria could be used more effectively. There are lots of space that students can occupy during lunch time, such as the tables and chairs outside Grade 9 Everest and the picnic furniture that used to be outside the library. However, students are not allowed to eat there, which often make the tables look useless, because no one eats on it. If secondary students were allowed to eat there, then the space would look more useful, and we can make better use of the furniture and school facilities.

     Teachers often say that if students eat outside the cafeteria, then the school janitors would need to clean a wider range of mess. Nevertheless, students should learn to clean their own mess. They can use this opportunity to improve their awareness on cleanliness and hygiene, because they need to clean their own mess. From this experience, students would be able to attain the sense of responsibility and learn to be more responsible.

     The above evidence shows that allowing students to have their meal time outside the cafeteria would help them find an eating location faster and that it can make better use of the unoccupied space and facilities. Aside from that, students will also be able to learn how to be responsible, clean and tidy. Therefore, students should be allowed to eat in different parts of the school.

Bibliography

• Bening, La Myra. Personal interview. 24 Oct. 2013.
• Prasetyo, Nadya Kasih Reihan. Personal interview. 24 Oct. 2013.