A teacher's tribute

The Star

22-06-2025

We celebrated Teachers Day last month, and while the invaluable contributions of our educators to nation-building deserve to be recognised, I would like to take this opportunity to share how two of my former students have been a blessing to me.
Tan L.S. and Kong S.M. were my students at SMK Mahmud, Raub, Pahang, in 1984. I was in the fifth year of my teaching career and was pleasantly surprised to be made form teacher of the top Science class, 4 Science Merah.
Tan, having to find her feet after transferring from an all-girls school, stood out on that very first day in class. Disregarding all formalities, I relied on my intuition and appointed her as class monitor. She did not fail me.
She performed her duties admirably, even though she had to take charge of a co-ed class with boys and girls from different backgrounds.
Her excellence caught the attention of the prefectorial board, and she was soon elected a school prefect. Taking on responsibilities on two fronts – as class monitor and prefect – proved too great a burden, and she had to relinquish the class monitor role with a heavy heart.
A few months later, I discovered a hidden gem in class. Kong, in whom I had noticed leadership potential, was appointed class monitor to replace Tan.
She was responsible, courteous and had a pleasant disposition. I never regretted my decision, as she proved to be a capable and dedicated monitor who managed the class superbly without ever needing my intervention in peer matters.
Only recently, after 38 years, did I learn that some students were not in favour of others from a certain background being made to do chores. Kong, just 16 at the time, resolved the issue in a diplomatic and amicable manner. Well done, indeed.
I still vividly remember seeing Kong come into the staffroom every day without fail during recess to hand over the list of absentees – a truly reliable monitor.
At the end of 1984, I was transferred back to Klang, Selangor. My 4 Science Merah students were kind enough to organise a memorable farewell for me at one of their homes.
I left the school with a heavy heart, thinking that would be the last I would hear from them.
Fast forward to 2022, when I decided to write about my life in Raub. The story was published in the newspaper along with a class photo of my 4 Science Merah students. It caught the attention of some of my former charges, and after a flurry of calls, Tan and Kong managed to track me down.
When I was their form teacher, I treated them the way I would have liked my own teachers to treat me. Thankfully, Tan and Kong appreciated my approach. From my recent conversations with them, I realised that I had given them self-belief and recognition at a time when the co-ed school environment felt both foreign and challenging.
Since reconnecting, we have met up whenever possible, despite their busy schedules.
Bosom buddies since kindergarten, Tan is now an accomplished lawyer with her own law firm, while Kong has settled down in Australia, juggling family duties with social activities.
Both strongly believe that nothing in this world is more precious than gratitude towards others and contentment within oneself – for that, they say, is the root of happiness in life.
To me, these two godsent students are the greatest gifts I have received in my 35 years as a teacher. The recognition and appreciation I have received from students like them make all the blood, sweat and tears poured into this profession worthwhile.
THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM
Retired teacher
Klang