My
thoughts are still on our alma mater as our school commemorates her 100-Year
anniversary since its founding in 1925. I was also privileged to document my
story on my own school experience published in, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly
Johor, Then and Now, the final instalment that completed the trilogy of My
Johor Stories.
But
recent reports and discussions on the safety in schools, students’ delinquent behavior,
suspected suicides and the role of parents and teachers, are a cause for
serious concern as social media is swirling with opinions and comments.
My own school experience was published in
My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now
Alumni
in our all-girls school recollected experiences with the teachers and Sisters –
who were very strict – and recalled how students were punished for various
offences. While my schoolmates and I reminisced about our schooldays, a fair
bit of these experiences – both good and bad – have been documented in our
100-Year Anniversary Souvenir Book.
This
included wearing shorts under their skirts instead of petticoats. There were
what was dubbed, Petticoat Raids, where teachers made spot checks to
catch students who were guilty of such offences. While this appeared to be
rather petty, we now know that this rule aimed to train girls to be more
feminine and lady-like in their conduct, poise and posture.
Teachers
observed that girls who wore shorts under their (short!) skirts were careless with how
they arranged their legs – often wide apart, described in a Malay phrase: duduk
kang-kang – which was clearly unacceptable in any culture.
Opened to the pages in Book Three that
document my story on school experiences
Looking
back, we now know that such a rule helped girls to cultivate a more feminine
habit which bodes well for young ladies as they went on to college/university
or to work, where they will interact with a larger community of people.
When
students did not do their homework or fared poorly in tests, they would have
their test sheet or a piece of paper pinned to their backs, emblazoned with
humiliating truths like: “I did not do my homework” or the results of that
test, a shameful 0/10.
There
was more. These students were made to stand on the stairs leading to the school
tuck-shop or canteen during recess or break time, for everyone to see.
Such
an embarrassing exercise aimed to teach students to take school work seriously
and that homework or spelling tests helped to train students with a habit to
focus on school subjects and gradually expand their knowledge and vocabulary.
Some
students who failed to complete their homework would come to school, determined
to seek out a trusted friend from whom they could copy from. It may be a
difficult problem in Mathematics but the objective here was to pass up
completed homework. Over time, students would eventually figure out the
Mathematical formula used to arrive at the answer.
There
was a time when parents made every effort to send their children to school for
an education that they did not have. These parents acknowledged that an
educated family member should lead to a rewarding career which does not involve
physical labour and could earn a higher income and hopefully, a more
comfortable life.
Human
stories that shine the light on a fisherman, rubber-tapper or single-mother
whose son or daughter scored highly in major exams, always have a prominent
place in the news. Our hearts are warmed and encouraged when we read the
success stories of students’ achievements that are attributed to their parents’
sacrifices.
Back
then, parents were always on the side of the teachers. If students were
punished in school, they were fearful about letting their parents know. And if
the parents should find out, they will get another punishment at home – often
more severely than that in school – for bringing shame to the family.
At
that time, parents respected teachers and principals who were considered an
educated authority whom parents could depend on to help shape their children
and guide them to grow into responsible young people.
Students
were always encouraged to study with the aim to achieve good results at major
examinations as school certificates were essential proofs of achievement that
will give job applicants the advantage over others.
For
students who were academically weak, there were Trade Schools where students
were trained in industrial subjects like carpentry, plumbing, electrical and
culinary skills, certified qualifications that will support applicants in
seeking employment.
Parents-Teachers
Day was always a stressful day when parents were invited to the school to meet
with form teachers. In a brief chat, teachers would share the students’ school
report on their academic performance and conduct in school.
For
parents of star students, this was a proud day when they heard a positive and
promising report about their child from the teacher. On the other hand, parents
of below average students would dread this day as they have to bear the
humiliation of hearing an embarrassing report on their under-performing child.
Having
completed school and established careers, we can look back on the many teachers
who inspired or challenged us, scolded or punished us, guided and taught us no
only the basics in academic subjects but also being trained in taking on
responsible roles in class, sports, clubs and societies.
Then
when education became compulsory, students who were not keen on studying did
not value the time spent in school. The numbers in each classroom were often
close to 40 or 50 students and it was impossible for teachers to cope with so
many.
The
school system is so focused on academic results that students who may be
talented but academically weak, are usually relegated to the ‘bottom’ or last
class which often ends up as the most notorious class for various misdemeanors.
The
social stigma of being in the last or lower classes give students a negative
reputation so these youngsters often resort to all sorts of mischief to live up
to such a name.
While
the majority of present-day parents are educated, there are many parents who
have to work full-time jobs to provide for their families. Some parents work
two or more jobs or take on night-shifts to ensure that there was sufficient
income to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for the family.
Very
often, these parents cannot spare time to spend quality time with their
children. So children are left under the care of grandparents, babysitters or
domestic helpers, while moral guidance and discipline were usually left to
school teachers.
With
the introduction of electronic devices, some parents conveniently let the
“screen” become their babysitters, while they too escape from their busy lives
into their precious “me-times,” glued to their devices.
This
habit-forming exercise has become quite the norm even for toddlers whose eyes are
locked onto the “screen” during mealtimes so that the parents may enjoy their
meal uninterrupted by the child’s tantrums, seeking the screen out of pure
habit.
This
habit was exacerbated when people were compelled to stay home to stay safe
during the global pandemic and lockdown years. Everyone retreated into their
own zone, locked-in with their devices and this, unfortunately, became the new
normal.
When
the economy reopened after more than two years of uncertainty, we had to adjust
to going out to school, work and shopping for necessities. No more
working-from-home, online meetings and classes, or online shopping and
deliveries.
Students
had to adjust to the routine of classroom lessons, homework, the teachers’
authority and discipline as well as separation from their mobile phones. After
more than two years being away from school, some students have difficulty in
accepting the change where they were again under the authority of the school’s
rules and regulations.
While
the school guides students in developing good habits like obeying rules and
being civic minded in our multi-cultural community, all this is forgotten when
they are outside the school.
In
school, student throw rubbish into proper places like the dustbin or wastepaper
basket but away from school, they observe adults throwing things
indiscriminately or out of car windows. When adults drop them off to school or
pick them from school, they drive in a rush, often beating multiple sets of
traffic lights enroute.
Generally,
the lack of discipline is more rampant in sub-urban schools where parents do
not set a good example to their children. And children being children, just
imitated what the adults do and not what they said.
The
young people’s exposure to violence in real-life experiences, movies and
computer games have normalized acts of violence to win and gain a hero’s
reputation. So youngsters just imitated their idols and role models, thinking
that it was all right to behave like them with their fellow students.
Teenagers
in search of their individuality often fall prey to gang leaders who offer them
a sense of identity and protection when they joined a gang. The once lonely and
invisible youths gained strength in numbers when they moved along with their
gang.
I
observed that some schools have a banner hung at its front entrance with a
message that translates into, “Thank You for coming to school.”
Absenteeism
has become so rampant that now, schools are thanking students for coming to
school. This situation is aggravated by the fact that teenagers who have become
gang members, gained courage to defy authority and absent themselves from
school to indulge in all kinds of mischief.
Some
school principals send teachers out to students’ homes to urge them to come to
school, at least to sit for major examinations. Whether they passed or not did
not matter because the school only wanted to record the number of exam attendees
to fulfill the Ministry’s requirement.
On
the other hand, when parents witnessed teachers reprimanding students for
breaking rules – and the student was their child – instead of seeking the facts
of the matter and finding out why the student was being reprimanded, the
parents recorded the incident on their mobile phone with the aim to report the
teacher.
Such
incidents threatened the teachers’ authority and leave them feeling defeated
and demoralized. It was just not worth offending the parents who now wield the
power to report or sue the teachers and school.
Recently
there was talk about introducing the use of the cane in schools and banning the
use of social media and mobile phones for young people. This reaction from the
authorities was met with various opinions, including that of mental health
experts who suggest that it may not be a solution but could lead to more
problems.
It
is about time to recognize that this is, in fact, a vicious circle. Reality
hits hard when we can see how this sad situation has arisen from the lack of
long-term views of the rot that happened in the community that involves
parents, teachers, young people as well as you and me.
Parents
must acknowledge that discipline and moral guidance cannot be left to the
school but is the joint responsibility of both parents and teachers to shape
the minds of young people. Responsible adults should lead by example,
especially parents with their children. Show them by example and not just by
instructions.
Statements
like, Children of Today are the Leaders of Tomorrow, is not new. The
current situation with our young people is of deep concern and the question for
us is whether we are developing future generations of leaders or what?
Note:
These real-life experiences have been garnered through conversations with
teachers and counsellors in public schools, recently retired teachers, parents
and grandparents as well as concerned educators.
