Update. Part One - of teachers

Sorry for the very short update yesterday. Was barely able to keep eyes open to check my emails. Hmmm... updates? here goes

Arrived in SK Nanga Beguang, Song, on Monday. Stayed here for the duration of me conducting the survey coz Bro. No. 1 is teaching here. Nice place on the side of the Rejang River (the longest river in M'sia). Rural place, lots of greens, but sadly no electricity and no cellular lines. Nak call, guna le 011. electricity is powered by generator.

Things like this makes me appreciate the hardships of all those teachers serving in the rural areas. They forgo all the 'luxuries' of urban life - electricity, piped water supply, etc- for the sake of providing education to the rural children. Coming from a family of teachers - Dad's a retired teacher, Bro & sis are teachers, a few of my cousins are teachers - i am very familiar with the sacrifices that teachers make. I saw Dad's passion in providing education to his students, emphasising the importance of learning to ensure that the students have a choice in getting a better future. Dad never complained about life in rural schools. Dad once served in one of the remotest school in Kapit and that was waaaayyyyy back in the 1970's where the trip from Sibu to Kapit takes a day and teacher's pay was not as it is now. With a small salary Dad provided for the family ( Mum, Bro no 1, no 2, and Sis. I came into the picture muuuucchhh later). I myself wouldn't know if I could survive what Dad went thru. I've always been proud of teachers.

But there are some issues that I've seen once I grew up. When I was in school, and when I taught in schools temporarily, the things I saw made me wonder whether the teaching profession is a noble profession. There are instances where I've seen those who became teachers for the sake of getting a job. Teaching is not a responsibility for them, it's simply a job. They have no interest to serve beyond the requirements. Going an extra mile is a burden to them. There are those who are in it solely for the attractive remuneration package. I'm not saying ALL teachers are like that, just a FEW (?!). There are SOME teachers who are really dedicated to their job and these are the ones that upheld the whole education philosophy. They instill knowledge, love of learning, morals, and values in their students. These teachers will leave an impact in their students' lives. I myself have greatly been influenced by some of my teachers.

Teachers leave an imprint in their student's life. Regardless whether it is a positive or negative. Student's remember their teachers, and classify them into groups - Good ones, Bad ones, and forgetable ones. Good ones are thoe who gave positive impact in their student's life and will surely be greeted in the Pasar looooonggg after their retirement with , "Cikgu masih ingat saya?"
Bad ones are those who the students remember too - albeit with less than pleasant memories. But still remembered.
The forgetable ones are those who did not leave an impact whatsoever. They are just like passing wind. Not remembered and forgotten.