Retired teacher shares memories of serving in rural schools, views of today’s teaching profession
BINTULU: Teacher’s Day is celebrated every May 16 to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices and services of educators towards nation building.
The Borneo Post managed to get an insight of what it is like to be a teacher in the 1970s from Ali Sabri Saber Ali Khan.
The 64-year-old former educator also shared some views of today’s teaching profession and some fond memories during his schooling days.
He is one of those educators who had the opportunity to serve in the rural schools.
Ali Sabri’s first placement was in May 1979 before his compulsory retirement at the age of 60 in August 2017 after committing his 39 years in service.
“I received basic teaching training at Maktab Perguruan Ilmu Khas, Jalan Cheras, Kuala Lumpur from 1977 to 1978.
“In April 1979, I returned to Sarawak. My first placement as a trained teacher was SMK Tatau, which at that time was still temporarily operating at SK Kuala Annau, Kuala Annau, Tatau,” he said.
When asked about the challenges teaching during those years, Ali Sabri said the main issue at that time was lack of basic infrastructure.
“There was no 24-hour electricity supply, only using a generator. It was turned on at 6.30pm and turned off around 11.00pm.
“Similarly, the supply of clean and treated water was also nonexistent. Only used catchment water in metal (zinc) tanks and the abundant Batang Anap river,” he recalled.
He said today, the progress and development of infrastructure is very significant, including in most rural and inland areas that can be reached by road.
He added most schools are already provided with basic facilities, for the sake of the sustainability of the National Education Policy.
Nevertheless, he said teaching challenges are part of the teacher’s life that requires them to be one or two steps ahead in order to be well prepared.
He said first and foremost is to achieve the aspirations of the country to the maximum level.
According to him, the basic education at the pre-school level did not reach a commendable percentage.
“There are pupils who have to be given remedial lessons so that they are eligible to enter mainstream classes at the primary school level, so that they are successfully grouped in groups of pupils who have a basic of preschool education as compared to those who do not,” he said.
He said for some parents, they will send their children to get early childhood education at the National Unity Department, Hikmah, Pasti, SeDidik and others.
“Usually students who have received basic education will perform well when entering mainstream classes,” he said.
Ali Sabri said another common challenge faced by most educators today is in tackling students’ disciplinary issues.
“There are indeed a handful of students who are really rude and disrespectful and like to fight the teacher. If strict disciplinary action is taken against them, then parents will side with their children,” he said.
Ali Sabri received his early education at Central Upper Primary School (CUPS) Sebauh before it was called Sekolah Rendah Kerajaan (SRK) Sebauh, and now Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sebauh.
He studied at CUPS Sebauh in 1964 in Primary 1 before he continuing Primary 2 at SRK Orang Kaya Mohamad when his family moved to Bintulu.
However, he failed the Primary 6 exam which is the Common Entrance test in 1969 and had to repeat it, passing in 1970.
In 1971 he was in Form 1 at Bintulu Government Secondary School (BGSS) – later Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bintulu – until Form 5 in 1975.
“I would like to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to the teachers who have taught me,” he said.
Asked about his fond memories while studying in Sebauh, he still remembers his late teacher Sulaiman Rusan.
“This teacher had punished me at the request of my mother because of taking a long bath in the river. After that I obeyed my mother’s words,” he joked.
While attending school at SRK Orang Kaya Mohamad, Ali Sabri was taught by, among others, the late Yusof Mahmud and the late Bujang Taha.
Others included Bakri Yusof, Norhayati Atahar Khan, the late Awang Mahmud Awang Hamzani and Julaihi Suhai.
“To those who are still in this world, I pray they will continue to be healthy and live a long life,” he said.