Being a teacher in Malaysia is not easy. Regardless of the perception of the public, being a teacher is not a job that I would recommend to anyone unless you can profess to be extremely passionate about helping young minds to develop. If you are hoping to earn some big buck here, this is definitely not the place for you. Unless of course you are going to use your position as a teacher to make big bucks giving tuition in your own free time. If you are hoping for those long stretches of holidays and uninterrupted weekends, forget it. What most folks out there don’t realize is that although it seems like teaching as simple job, the reality is quite different. Most schools have programs on Saturdays, teachers attend courses during holidays and co-curricular activities keep teachers in schools until late evening.

Before I am accused of bitching about the job, let me assure you that this is not my intention. I have already left the system because what it offers is just not for me. Perhaps, I am ‘old school’ and I find it difficult to internalize the frequent changes that the system requires. I know that I am a really good teacher and I have made a positive impact in the lives of my students. This is enough for me. I am not bitter in any way but in retrospect have pleasant memories of my years as a teacher.

So, let me give you a clear perspective of the challengers of teachers today.

The Training
Generally, teachers become teachers either by attending Teacher Training Colleges or from the University. During this period, a ‘to-be teacher’ is already assigned the subject he/she will be specializing in. I did my basic training in Maktab Perguruan Kota Bharu and I applied to be a teacher of the English Language. I was to be trained as a teacher of secondary students and my core subjects were English Language and Geography. Later, at the university, my degree was the Teaching of English as a Second Language. At the Masters level, my focus was on English Literature.

In both the Teacher Training Colleges and the Universities, teachers are trained well in relation to their core subjects. The teachers to be are introduced to the curriculum and they are given a clear insight of the requirements of the syllabus and how to effectually go about teaching the content. They are taught to be effective teachers. They are also introduced to co-curriculum activities as to know the basics of some games and societies. Hopefully with this comprehensive training, a teacher will be able to do a good job when he/she is assigned to a particular school.

I wish to stress that there is no real problem at the training level. If at all there is an issue, it is merely a hope the Government would do something to the teaching job so that good students who are looking for a good income will be able to regard teaching as their first choice rather than their last choice. When we are willing to pay well we will get the quality we seek. This is the reality.

The School
When a trainee teacher is assigned to a school, this is where the problems begin. When she/he arrives at the school, she/he is told, ‘We have enough English Language teachers. We need you to teach History.’ Imagine this scenario carefully. The teacher has been trained for the past three years to teach English and is now required to teach History. Are you still surprised when your child comes home complaining about his/her History teacher who is so boring and incompetent?

The teacher was all geared up to teach one thing and now has to teach a subject she knows nothing about and has no interest in. It is easy to say, “Just read it up and teach!” I still remember the time I tried to teach my daughter her Form Three History. It was a nightmare.

The same happens in the co-curriculum aspect especially in sports. There must be some passion in the part of the trainer if he/she wants to instill the love of the game to the students. The mismatch continues in this area too. Most people also forget that being a good athlete does not make a good trainer. The teacher will try her/his best to train her students but somehow she/ he will fall short.

The Self
Happiness comes from within. It is only when we are at peace with ourselves will we be able to reach out for others. This is true with, more than any other job in relation to teaching as we are dealing with young impressionable minds.

Just talk to any teacher and what is your impression. Have an open mind and don’t look at them as a group of people who are only complaining. Listen closely and you will begin to understand. All teachers know that they will have to serve in the rural areas even in East Malaysia for a period of time but should they not be sent back to their hometowns after a while? We have teachers traveling daily for two hours one way to get to schools simply because their transfers were denied. Husbands and wives, separated from their parents and children are common among teachers. The physical and emotional strain will take its toll eventually. Teachers don’t choose their jobs according to where they stay, they are sent to their jobs and this can be heartbreaking at times.

So the next time you meet a teacher, try to understand the real story from his/her end. It may answer many of your own queries about your child’s education. This is the reality.

This article was written by Madam Kalai Lingam. Madam Kalai has 27 years of teaching experience in government secondary school. She opted for early retirement in 2013 to pursue her love of writing, and is currently writing a book. Madam Kalai is well versed in the Malaysian Education system, having been a senior English teacher and school administrator for many years.