This evening I saw a Chinese music student practicing his flute vigorously in Msquare. Suddenly he just stops and puts his flute down at the sound of the Azan prayers. It got me to realize how I haven't seen such an act of respect towards others' religion or race for a while now, or how I myself might not been paying attention. Lately, all I've been hearing are complains about how smelly the others are with their incense burning and such. And all I've been seeing are flocks of the same races together in the cafeterias and the hallway - completely oblivious to the others' existence. Kalau tegur pun x, jangan harap dok makan semeja. If Malaysian teachers themselves do not practice racial unity, how are they going to cultivate this value among their own students?
In Melaka where I came from, or from what I observed during my recent visit to Sabah, racial unity was never an issue, and everyone just gets along well. Melayu, Cina, India, Baba, Portugis and all kinds of races can be seen just hanging out at the same kopitiam talking bout the weather, football and what not. We are after all living in a multicultural country, and fostering unity among all the people will ensure peace and harmony in our society. Please open your eyes people and look around, especially cikgu cikgu sekalian. Are we really as united and respectful of one another as outsiders perceived, or is this just a facade to cover the claws left in closed doors? What's the point of the education system then if the society we have now are products of straight As in exams but straight Fs in basic social values and mentality?
Friday, February 24, 2012
christopherism 1:7
"Once a teacher, always a teacher" - Professional Development Week 3 (christopherism 1:7)This quotation has made me think about how the teaching professional is innate and that somehow teachers are born, not made. At least that's what I believe...
Many do not know about this, but I knew I was going to be a teacher since year 6 primary, ever since I made my English teacher Mrs Hong cry in front of the class. I was her favorite student, her 'walking dictionary'. However, being on top of her class has made me a mischievous and arrogant little brat. So what happened then.... I was just playing with my ruler and it fell off my desk to the front of the class, twice. She had to stop her lesson to pick it up and scold me both times. Then, on the third time, my ruler snapped! and so did she... There she was crying in the corner of the class... and this guilt that took over me was so intense and vividly haunting. It was experiences such as this that have made me become more attentive and observant towards all my English teachers - from the little things that they say and do in the classroom and how they are with students out of the classroom.
After secondary schooling, all my close friends were all busy applying for matrix, or scholarships in engineering, medicine, accounting and more engineering! I never bothered. I just applied for teaching after I received my SPM results and with the grace of God, I'm now where I am today. I believed this was my calling and have never looked back on the 'what-ifs', or regretted arguing with my Dad who wanted me to do business. Similarly, I will not change this path destined for me and will continue to be a teacher till the day I die. 'Once a teacher, always a teacher'...
Amen.
