Is This The Face of Our Education System?

 

Is This the Face of Our Education System?

1. One afternoon about 17 years ago, while my husband and I were walking around Mid Valley Shopping Mall in Kuala Lumpur to buy a mobile phone, I suddenly heard a voice calling out to me:

   “Teacher Faridah! Teacher Faridah! Come here, come into my shop!”

   I turned and saw one of my former Chinese students (I had forgotten his name) smiling happily. He walked toward me and my husband, pulling me into his mobile phone shop.

   “Do you still remember me, teacher? You taught me from Form 1 to Form 3 at Sekolah Menengah Seri Indah. I was in the last class — the weakest one. I couldn’t read, I was lazy and naughty. But teacher, thank you for teaching me, scolding me, even caning me. I still remember how you caned me until I quit school and followed my father to learn business. Now I own two mobile phone shops! Buy your phone here, teacher — I’ll give you a special price!”

   I was deeply moved. I thought to myself, “He has truly become someone, even though he used to be weak, lazy and always skipping school.”

2. That moment filled me with pride and joy. It is every teacher’s happiness to see their students succeed. I spent nearly 16 years as a secondary school teacher — I loved teaching. Perhaps it was because of the influence of my late father, Hj. Mohd Ali Bin Omar, who was an educationist himself. Out of his eleven children, four became teachers, as he wished.

3. Unfortunately, I did not serve until retirement. I left after more than 15 years, even after receiving two Excellent Service Awards and being offered Principal Training. I had worked in six different schools before resigning as Senior Assistant at Sekolah Menengah Bandar Sungai Buaya, Rawang, Selangor on January 1, 2003. But my years as a teacher brought me true satisfaction and happiness.

4. The challenges of being a teacher even 35 years ago were tough — what more now. During my time, there were no social media platforms yet. Mobile phones existed around 1998 but were limited in use. I was often appointed as a discipline teacher, and being raised by a strict and disciplined father, I found the role suited me well.

5. I used to cane my students, make them run around the field, pick up rubbish, clean toilets, cut long hair, punish those who stole or refused to do homework. I confiscated prohibited items, jewellery, porn magazines, and motorcycles parked illegally in the school compound. I pinched the stomachs of Muslim students who skipped fasting, pulled the ears of those who slept in class, or punished students who skipped school or smoked.

6. Yet, despite being strict, I loved my students like my own children. I treated poor students to meals, visited their homes in fishing villages, and helped them financially. I gave free tuition, used my own car to send them to competitions, and even bought school supplies for those who couldn’t afford them. My students often came to my house during festive seasons, sharing laughter and meals together.

7. Although I was firm, my students respected me. They never hated me for punishing them. No parent ever attacked or scolded me; instead, they apologized and supported my disciplinary actions. Parents in those days wanted teachers to educate, not just teach.

8. Once, a student lodged a police report against me, but the issue was resolved when the parents intervened and apologized. Years later, that same student installed kitchen cabinets in my home — he now owns a cabinet business! Back then, he was one of my most problematic students, but he turned out well.

9. Students become good people because teachers educate them, and parents support that process. Many of my weaker students are now successful in various careers.

10. Sadly, things are very different today. Teachers’ hands and mouths are tied — by the ministry, education departments, schools, parents, and even society. If I were still teaching today, I would have surrendered too. It’s no longer worth sacrificing for a system that blames teachers for everything.

11. The recent case of two male teachers from SMJK Chung Hwa Confucian charged in court for caning students truly shook me. They face possible imprisonment and loss of pension. Their dedication and sacrifices mean nothing now — no one is defending them, not even the Ministry of Education.

12. Is it still worth it for teachers to sacrifice when this is how they’re treated? Teachers are humiliated, blamed, and left alone. If this continues, teachers will stop caring. They will no longer dare to discipline.

13. Believe me — no matter how good or sincere a teacher is, when a problem arises, we stand alone. School administrators, education departments, even the ministry will wash their hands of it.

14. But when a teacher makes a mistake, everyone rushes to take action. Parents and the public are prioritized over the teachers. The ministry is quick to issue statements and ensure disciplinary action is taken.

15. So, let’s stop worrying too much about student discipline. Let the Minister, the Director-General, the police, and social services handle it. Teachers should just nod and follow orders.

16. Go to school, attend meetings, send reports, teach as told. Don’t argue, don’t get angry. Just keep quiet — that’s what they want. They are making teachers stupid, and students twenty-five times worse.

17. Today, a teacher’s job is only to teach — not to educate. Teaching and educating are two very different things. Educating means shaping a student’s character, morals, and manners. It involves guiding, advising, disciplining, correcting, and caring.

18. When teachers are forbidden to punish, scold, or discipline, they can no longer educate. They can only teach. Students who misbehave, skip homework, or refuse to learn — just let them be. Don’t get stressed, or you’ll end up sick or depressed.

19. The case of the two caned-student teachers is a warning. Teachers are now fearful. Many prefer to stay silent and do the bare minimum. Meanwhile, bullying, sexual misconduct, and violence in schools continue to rise because teachers are no longer allowed to discipline.

20. It’s terrifying. Parents no longer control their children at home. Social media, gadgets, and celebrity influence corrupt young minds. Religious and moral guidance at home is weak, leading to moral decay among youths.

21. As a former teacher, I now understand why so many educators want to quit early or switch careers. The Ministry keeps introducing meaningless slogans and policies that drift further away from true education.

22. As a mother, I worry about the future. The many shocking incidents in schools today reflect a failing education system. Education should build humanity, yet schools have become unsafe places. Is this truly the face of our education system?

23. Teachers are burdened with administrative work and emotional stress. They want to nurture good human beings, but their hands are tied. Many students are losing their morals because the system has failed — schools, teachers, and students all suffer.

24. I believe the Zara Qairina case is a turning point — a divine warning to the Ministry and the nation. Justice remains unseen, and the people’s prayers are powerful. Perhaps this tragedy is a sign for us to reflect and repent.

25. Everything that happens has wisdom behind it. If we refuse to see, hear, or think, and continue blaming others, then we are truly the most unfortunate of people — blind, deaf, and mute to our own foolishness.

26. The photo I share here is of me with my beloved students from Sekolah Menengah Bandar Sungai Buaya, Rawang, in 2002 — the year before I resigned. To all my former students, continue striving to be good, wise, and noble human beings. I wish you all success in life.

▪️Please share if you find this reflection meaningful.