‘SWOLLEN RIVER NEARLY SWEPT ME AWAY’
Tay, a teacher, recalls narrow escape from death while trekking to remote school
WHEN Tay Oi Leng was first posted to SK Buayan, he was mentally prepared for the hardships he would have to face, or so he thought.
He was shocked at how he had to commute five hours daily to school.
There were many dangers on his daily commute and one of the most unforgettable episodes for him was when he was nearly swept away by the raging waters of a swollen river.
“I was mentally prepared when
I got posted here in 2012 but was shocked to learn it took two hours in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and another three hours walk in the jungle to reach the school.”
Recalling the time when he nearly drowned, Tay said it happened in 2014.
“I was going to the school alone when there were several landslides and Sungai Monongian was flooded.
“I left my motorcycle by the river and tried my best to swim through the gushing water to cross to the other side,” he said, adding that it took all his might to make it to the other side, only to be nearly swept away by the raging river.
Unperturbed by his brush with death, Tay continued walking to school.
Tay said he could only pray for his safety and that of his family while wading through floodwaters but he knew it was part of his job to teach people.
“Another unforgettable experience was when a group of teachers pushed our motorcycles uphill for two hours and then had to cross a river,” said the Mathematics teacher, who was previously posted to SK Kuala Tomani in Tenom.
Now, said Tay, the route to school was better and the journey cut short to between two and four hours, depending on the weather.
However, the improved infrastructure does not mean that his responsibility as a teacher in rural areas is any less taxing.
In March, the New Straits Times reported that Tay and two other teachers were making an extra effort by walking 12km to coax a Year Four pupil to return to school.
“That pupil is now attending school daily. Schoolchildren in remote areas require more attention from teachers and the school.
“If we do not care for them, many will neglect their education,” he said, adding that the school had an adoption programme between 2014 and last year allowing students who live far away to stay in school.
Tay’s dedication and sacrifice has the support of his family, especially from his wife, who for two years was also a teacher at SK Buayan.
After the couple was blessed with a child in 2014, Tay’s wife asked to be transferred to SK St Joseph in Donggongon so she could have easier access to medical facilities for their child.
“I used to go home every two weeks.
“Now, with the better roads, I can meet my family every week,” said Tay.