My big sister, my teacher

TEACHERS in the 1960s fully dedicated their time and life to this noble and selfless profession. They just went about their duties with much love and passion, without much recognition. Teachers’ Day celebrations were unheard of then.

It was in the 1970s that Teachers’ Day was first celebrated, that is, on May 16 – and every year since then.

Having been a teacher myself, I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this passage of thoughts to a former teacher of mine, my sister, who started teaching in the mid-60s.

My eldest sister, affectionately addressed as Ms GM in school, or Big Sis (direct translation from the Tamil periakka) at home, did creditably in her Senior Cambridge Examination (the SPM equivalent of yesteryear).

Being the eldest sibling in a brood of eight, sadly, there was no approval from the “home grounds” for her to pursue her education further.

Ms GM did bouts of temporary teaching at Mahmud Secondary School, Raub, and Clifford Secondary School, Kuala Lipis, before getting the opportunity to go to Brinsford Teachers Training College in Wolverhampton, England, for a two-year stint.

Upon completion of her training, Ms GM was posted to a school in Raub – SMK Dato Shahbandar Hussain – in 1966.

My sister taught with conviction, dedication and passion. At the end of the month, she would surrender the whole pay packet to our mother, who was good with digits. That was how magnanimous it was with children in those days.

Ms GM had two great teacher buddies in Phyllis Tan and Jane Russell (a Peace Corps volunteer) to keep her going.

Flashback to 1968 (mandatory as in most Tamil dramas): I was a Form 2 student at SMK Dato Shahbandar Hussain. My Mathematics teacher at that time was none other than my very own sister, Ms GM.

It was only when the timetable was written on the blackboard for all to copy, that it came to my knowledge of Ms GM being my Mathematics teacher. Oh, Blimey! I was in an awkward position, having to face her three times a week for the rest of the year.

It was a bit difficult at first but, as time passed by, I got over it. Most importantly, biasness was completely out of the equation. I never knew the test questions, and marking was fair and square for all.

Ms GM was a great Mathematics teacher, being very charismatic. Even though schooling was in the afternoon, her lessons were always lively and interesting, while her explanations were always crystal clear. I, being an average student, did reasonably well, to safeguard the family name.

My sister also taught Science and English. Being a versatile teacher, she was an asset to the school.

Among her Form 3 students of the Class of 68 were Tan Miah Chit, Fun Ah Chai, Arumainathan and Woon Mun Voon, who all performed creditably and had the utmost respect for her.

Being an obedient brother, I assisted Big Sis in doing some of her paper work at home. In some way or other, it had a bearing on me taking up teaching as a profession later on.

I would say that I have performed reasonably well in my career. In the last 10 years of service, I was the senior assistant of a premier secondary school, of which about 18 months were as a “caretaker” principal. I am sure Big Sis would be quite pleased.

Forward to the 80s: My sister, with her children studying in secondary school, was the one pulling the strings at home. She wore different hats at different times, including ferrying her children to and from kindergarten, school and tuition. All this was done in her ever reliable Volkswagen BS 7354. It is apt that the letters BS should be short for Big Sis!

Fast-forward to 2018: Big Sis, with Teachers’ Day coming, and as you approach the three-quarter century milestone, I sing my praises to you, and also to all the other Brinsford and Kirkby colleagues, the unsung heroes of yesteryear. Bravo! Happy Teachers’ Day!