Teachers — the ‘third parent’ in a student’s life
KUCHING: The relationship between a teacher and the students are often viewed in a parental manner, where teachers are often seen as the ‘third parent’ of a family who helps shape their minds and help recognise the students’ talents and goals.
Encharang Agas, 78, a former educator in SMK Three Rivers, has always been fond of his students from the school, especially those from Class 70 where they would often meet up on a yearly basis in a class reunion with another former educator from the school, a Canadian called David Scott.
Robert Chiong, 71, Kueh Giok San, 69, Alfred Sim, 68, and Bernard Phoa, 69, all alumni of SMK Three Rivers’ Class of 70 and all pensioners save for Chiong who is actively working as a freelance financial planner, vividly recall Encharang’s time as their English teacher during their secondary school years, who taught them values of life while instilling the mindset of succeeding.
Back then, Encharang was one of the art stream teachers, whereas David Scott was the Agricultural Science teacher of SMK Three Rivers, located in Mukah.
“During that time, I was only a ‘freshman’ — a rookie educator — who began his career in SMK Three Rivers, constantly looking for ways to reach out to my students and how I can educate them to be the best versions of themselves,” Encharang said.
Despite being aware of the hierarchy between a student and a teacher, he would treat his students with mutual respect as he believed when it comes to teaching, fairness and integrity is a value to uphold. Even though he is no longer their teacher now, he would continually tend to his former students’ enquiries whenever they sought advice from him.
It was only until 2019 that this relationship developed into a deeper bond through a mutual love for gardening — perhaps due to the agriculture lessons taught by David in the past that became the foundation sparking a whole new light for them. When Encharang was first invited to be a part of the Gardening Group in 2019, he was overjoyed as he had dreamed of being a part of a social group, based on a mutual interest, with his students.
“When I think of gardening, I think back to the times I’ve spent with my students — how I’ve educated them, nurtured them and grew with them. It also tallies with the SMK Three Rivers’ motto: ‘Mind, Spirit, Body’,” he said.
Encharang then shared his belief that the values learnt in gardening can be interpreted and used metaphorically for educators when it comes to teaching students.
“Just like gardening, you need patience, perseverance and effort to nurture your students by constantly engaging them in a supportive environment with an unwavering dedication from yourself,” he said.
In view of that, Encharang believes every student should be presented with the same opportunity to ensure not a single student gets left behind when it comes to education.
“As long as you believe in your students, your students will start to believe in themselves too,” he said. Seeing how his students have ended up now, Encharang feels extremely rewarded and happy as he was given the opportunity to witness their growth as a person in the world.
“Although I was just their English teacher, who would have known we would be good friends for decades to come? It goes without saying that I am grateful to have this kind of relationship with my former students, whom I proudly call my friends.”