Posted by
wetbenang
at
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
TEACHERS DAY, SPECIAL DAY
Today is Teachers Day. In schools across the country, thousands of teachers are being honoured, praised and feted for their great contributions and tireless efforts in imparting knowledge and in helping to shape the mind, perception, personality and character of this country’s future citizens and leaders. Indeed, today is not just a meaningful day for teachers alone, but also for their students and their parents.
I was with my twin godsons last night, on the occasion of their 11th birthday. After dinner, after the cake was cut and consumed, our conversation – as always – turned to school and related topics. In excited tones they related to me their parts in the activities planned by the school for Teachers Day. Azrie and his contemporaries would enact a special dedication to all the teachers at their school, while Edrie would perform solo his own version of a current popular tune.
Each of them has also bought a little something for their class teachers and could hardly wait for today to show their appreciation. “Cikgu banyak tolong Along belajar, Uncle, sebab tu Along nak bagi hadiah ni,” said Azrie. “Ha ah la Uncle, cikgu Angah pun sama. Angah suka sangat cikgu Angah,” Edrie chipped in.
I know both boys had put quite a lot of thought in choosing their little gifts for their teachers. The gifts, though quite practical, did not cost much as these had to be paid for by their own money. But the joy they’d feel in giving their little token of appreciation would be priceless. Of course, between their parents and me, we always remind the boys that there are a lot of other ways of appreciating their teachers: by paying attention to what they teach, by showing them respect, by doing the homework, by doing well in school, etc.
Come Teachers Day next year, I wonder whether they or thousands of their contemporaries would still have the opportunity to experience this joy, because some smart people from the Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia are calling for a ban on the culture of giving gifts to teachers by students on Teachers Day. This, they say, is tantamount to corruption and bribery. This culture, they say, is also not in line with the National Integrity Plan. I’d have thought and expected that an institute of such calibre would have much bigger ethics agenda or issue to pursue and champion.
But anyway, to argue their point, these smart people cited a couple of cases where a parent went overboard and gave personalised Teachers Day cards together with expensive pens to his son’s teachers, and another where teachers requested specific gifts from their students. Some schools, they say, sell gifts for students to buy.
So, they are urging the Education Ministry to issue a directive to all schools and learning institutions to stop teachers from accepting gifts from students on Teachers Day.
I’m not quite sure how true or widespread is this “trend”. If it is true or widespread, I’m sure it can be curbed. Instead of calling for a ban, the Business Ethics Institute – since their people are so smart and are so ethical -- may want to help the Ministry/schools come up with a set of guidelines for teachers on what is acceptable and what is not in terms of Teachers Day gifts. Something like what is practiced at certain companies I know, where employees are not allowed to accept certain types of gifts and/or gifts of certain monetary values.
And certainly not a ban directive! Please don’t take away the children’s joy in presenting their little gifts to their teachers, and their teachers’ in receiving them.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Dah lah tak reward teachers accordingly..
Now nak take away the little joy left in being a teacher, i.e. the sene of love, appreciation felt. on such days students express their love for their teachers, thanking them for teaching them life. that's all there is. it's no bribe. it's just love.
My mum doesn't get a pension coz she taught in a private school. She didn't get any golden handshake. She left teaching many years ago. She still keeps some of the gifts her students gave her, many now are doctors, lawyers, engineers. Some still call her sometimes.
She looks at these gifts with pride, not for the value of the gifts, like most teacher's days presents, they are inexpensive.. but these are kind and loving thoughts from her students that she keeps with her.
don't deprive teachers of that look of joy... little else brings them such smiles..
everyday I get more and more dissapointed with the powers that be... all I ask is God gives them some common sense...
Crabby Ashburn (Temasek-born Malaysian) said...
11:13 AM
Lis,
Itu le yang saya geram sangat. Did you read the guy's letter to Editor (NST 15/05 Page 28)? Macam takde benda lain yg dia nak discuss. There are so many other bigger ethical issues to champion, for goodness' sake. Anyway, padan muka dia, hari ni dalam NST ada 3 responses to his letter...
wetbenang said...
1:11 PM