As you sow

Here's something interesting I came across recently and I would like to share it with everyone, especially teachers and tutors.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.

If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.

If you plant hard work, you will reap success.

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

Better Quality Teachers

I read in the newspapers recently that someone suggested the quality of teachers in Malaysia be changed. In my opinion, Malaysia has good quality teachers who are well trained. It is the mindset of the policymakers that has to be changed.

Teachers have long been the scapegoats. They merely follow instructions from the higher echelons of the education system. Thus there are schools where students from exam classes have all co-curricular activities scrapped. Teachers know that ‘All work and no play make jack a dull boy.’ However, there is nothing that they can do about it as they need to produce As in their school.

With the Education Ministry dangling the carrot of higher pay and accolades like Master Teacher in front of them, the newly-qualified teacher slowly becomes subservient to the system. Many have given up their ideals during their sojourn as teachers. They are bogged down by paperwork and meetings, which normally means more paperwork. With rampant indiscipline and the unrealistic demands of the head of the school, they are just too tired to cope.

The ideal teacher should have the time to read up on her subject, to improve her knowledge and the delivery of her lessons, to help mould students to excel not only in their studies but also in life.

However, all this is not happening in schools today. Teaching and character-building does not seem to be part of the job description of a teacher today.

Better quality teachers needed?

It was mentioned recently that the quality of teachers in Malaysia should be changed. I beg to differ. Malaysia has good quality teachers who are well trained. It is the mindset of the policymakers that has to be changed.

Teachers have long been the scapegoats of policies implemented by the authorities. They are forced to follow instructions from the higher echelons of the system. Thus there are schools where students from exam classes have all co-curricular activities scrapped as students have to prepare for their major public exams. Teachers know that ‘All work and no play make jack a dull boy.’ However, there is nothing that they can do about it as they need to produce As in their school.

With the Education Ministry dangling the carrot of higher pay and accolades like 'Master Teacher' in front of them, the newly-qualified teacher slowly becomes subservient to the system. Many have given up their ideals during their tenure as teachers. They are bogged down by paperwork and meetings, which normally results in more paperwork. With rampant indiscipline and the unrealistic demands of the head of the school, they are just too tired to cope.

The ideal teacher should have the time to read up on her subject, to improve her knowledge and the delivery of her lessons, to help mould students to excel not only in their studies but also in life. However, all this is not happening in our Malaysian schools. Teaching and character-building does not seem to be part of the job description of a teacher today. Why have we lost our focus on what is important?