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Personally, I just don't understand why the constant bashing of teachers and educators in this country. In the 10 years I lived in the UK, I never experienced such venom. First of all, I did not choose teaching as a last resort (as many people seem to think of teachers). With my SPM results, I could have become a lawyer, an archaeologist or a psychologist but I did not. I chose teaching because I believe in the importance of education and that it can change the world. Teaching is a vocation and I am proud and glad to have answered this calling. I am proud to say that my father was a teacher, my grandparents were teachers, many of my aunts and uncles were teachers, my two sisters are teachers and some of my cousins are teachers. Yes, we teachers are not perfect but we do our best to educate our students with the skills they'll need in life, prepare them for the real world and to become positive and productive citizens. All these within the constraints and pressures put on us by KPM, JPN, PPD and school administration, by lack of funds and time, and by lack of cooperation and empathy from parents and the community. Parents demand all kinds of things from us but when we ask you to come to PTA meetings, all kinds of excuses crop up on why you couldn't make it. And then you complain that you don't understand the changes made to school assessments like PBS and PT3 when we clearly have sent out invitation letters to briefings. Parents, we are not babysitters. We are educators. We provide knowledge and education to your children. We spend so much time on your children that sometimes, it is to the detriment of our own families. We ought to be spending as much time teaching and instructing our children as we do on yours. We probably spend more time talking with your children than we do to our spouses. To say that teachers "makan gaji buta" is malicious and vindictive. You have no idea what we go through daily in our attempts to provide the right education for our often challenging students. You have no idea how much of our own money we pour out to buy stationery, laptop, projector, printer, ink cartridges, books, dictionaries, calculators, art materials, sports equipment, tools, presents for students, cakes and food for class parties, paint to decorate classes, fabric to make curtains, flowers, bookcases, and the list goes on. We also use our own money to aid poor students. We help to pay for their spectacles, school shoes, uniforms, bags, stationery, lunch, bus fares, educational trips, workshops, hotels, registration fees, etc. We use our own cars to drive students to various venues for competitions, events and workshops. No, most of the money spent couldn't be claimed from the school or the PPD. I feel angry when people complain that teachers "syok bercuti je". I'm sorry to disappoint you but we actually have to work during our 'holidays'. We have to mark exam papers, mark students' essays and exercises, prepare teaching materials, set exam questions, conduct tuition classes and workshops, invigilate exams, be course facilitators, go on courses when required and attend meetings. What's left of our holidays isn't all that much. And why do you complain when teachers get a pay increase or annual bonus? It's not even a lot. We don't quibble about how much money lawyers, engineers, dentists, accountants or business people make, do we? The teaching profession is the lowest paid of all professional careers. Do you know that? We all have to work hard in life. Be grateful with what you have. Please! We sometimes have to put ourselves in danger. Teachers, especially discipline teachers, often have to deal with students with challenging behavioural issues who are not afraid of using physical violence and weapons. These teachers are exposed to real threats to themselves, their families and their properties from students who seek revenge or retaliation. And if the student comes from a rich or influential family, then it's legal threat. Do you know that many teachers suffer from severe cases of stress, nervous breakdown, mental illness or depression? Do you know that many teachers are cancer patients or survivors? This often thankless career takes its toll on us. Mostly I think due to the lack of empathy and support given to teachers by the Ministry of Education, parents and society itself. And what about those teachers who are posted far away from their families? Who work in rural and isolated areas? That they're unable to get a transfer for years and years? That it is so difficult for them to see their loved ones? Does society care about the sacrifices they have made? We are not complaining about our lot in life. We love teaching. We love our students. You may find it crazy and hard to believe but we love even our most challenging students and we pray only the best for them. Please, have a heart. Try to understand. Have some empathy. Stop judging. Thank you. - Safina Kamaruddin
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