People – A Teacher

Sometimes the job is mired with frustrations, at other times it is fun. At times it is monotonous while
most of the time it is demanding. The noble profession of teaching is not easy. It is considered a
science that needs training and skills. While most believe that any Tom, Dick and Harry can teach,
the real issues involve more on the quality of teaching and total dedication to the job.

Ramasamy Pillai is a teacher. He teaches in one of the many secondary schools in the country. He
has been a teacher for the past 25 years and is on the verge of retirement and hence hopes to have
a little more time to relax. But it is not to be that way at all. The teaching profession is a life-long
trade. It sticks with you no matter where you go. You are always called “cikgu”, the Malay term for a
teacher and so the burden of passing knowledge, seeking knowledge, moulding and correcting is
forever with you.

Ramasamy Pillai was trained as a teacher in Kirby, England. Kirby was one of the best training
centres. Pillai was hardly at the age of twenty when he was called to Kirby. He trained and graduated
after three years and was eager to work in Malaysia. He was then sent to one of rural schools in
Kelantan. He served there for eight gruelling years. The area had hardly any clean water. Pillai had to
make use of the river for almost everything including washing, cooking, and bathing but he never
drank from the river. He carried barrels of clean water every week from a friend’s place and that
kept him healthy. Even in tough times, Pillai could work ‘till the cows came home’.

In 1984, Pillai decided to pursue a higher degree in education. He enrolled in the University of
Malaya for a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. He completed his studies in April
1987. He went on to teach in three different schools.

Ramasamy Pillai finds teaching a noble profession. He sees the profession as a journey that educates
children. He is not merely imparting knowledge but is also instilling moral values in his students.
When it is time for the students to leave school, ideally, they should be matured individuals who are
balanced emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Pillai considers believing in God as the
basis for all education.

Today, in times of transition, where curriculum and methodology have changed to embrace
information technology and the other needs of a nation, spiritual values and the human torch have
gained an even more significance. Pillai considers these changes as inevitable as the country moves
into the technological age.

However, the routine of teaching remains somewhat the same. Pillai still wakes up at approximately
half past five every day. He teaches from half past seven to approximately ten o’clock before going
for his breakfast. He stays in school until half past two or sometimes after three. He goes for extra
curricular activities or perhaps for some extra-classes at about five in the evening. After that, he goes
for a jog and returns home. He prepares his following day’s lessons before going to the bed. For the
last twenty years, he has spent quality time with his own children too. Today, one of his daughters is
training to be a teacher.

Ramasamy Pillai believes in the ancient Chinese proverb that says, ‘a teacher can only open doors,
you must go in yourself’. Hence, the relationship between a teacher and her pupil is extremely
important. A teacher must teach in an interesting manner. A pupil, on the other hand, must learn in
a smart way. A teacher can show the way, a student must work towards it. It is motivation that leads
a student to dedication and determination to succeed. Pillai treats his students as his own children.
Thus, he accepts nothing less than the best form himself and his students.
People – About Myself

I am Noor Hasniza Binte Abdul Halim. I was born on the 27 th of August 1988 in Kuantan, Pahang. I
was raised in the sublime city of Kuantan until I was approximately five years old and later moved to
the historic town of Taiping and lived in Assam Kumbang, a village about five kilometres from
Taiping. I am the eldest in a family of five siblings. My mother is a dedicated teacher while my father
works in one of the many government ministries.

I had my primary education in SK Assam Kumbang, a small school located in the heart of Assam
Kumbang. I later went to Convent Secondary School before being offered a place in the prestigious
MARA Science College in Grik. After achieving excellent grades in Lower Secondary School
Examination (PMR), I was chosen to pursue my upper secondary education in the MARA Science
College in Taiping.

It was there that I represented the northern zone of Malaysia in the Annual Science Quiz held in the
MARA College on the island of Langkawi. I was also a member of the school cooperative society. I
have been involved in sports since primary school. I represented the school in a number of games. I
was forward in the school hockey team. The team had done well on many several occasions. In 2003,
we represented the state in the Sukma Games. In 2004, three of the players, including me, were
called for the national selection in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. I was also active in athletics. I
represented the district in the 400 and 800 metres events in 2003 and 2004.

Since young, the medical field has always fascinated me. It is obvious that my ambition is to be a
distinguished surgeon one day. Hence, I have been voraciously reading all sorts of books and articles
concerning medicine. I have also a collection of newspaper articles that I have made into a folio.
Most of my reading materials are from the health column in the local newspapers and the health
magazines found in hospitals and private clinics. I am particularly interested in the study of diseases.
Recently, my parents bought me an encyclopaedia of diseases and remedies. It had cost them a
fortune but they were happy to see a wide smile on my face. During my leisure time, I sometimes
read articles online.

Collecting and reading materials on medicine alone will not get me anywhere. I know I have to work
hard. By the way, I have just finished my post secondary education. I am waiting for my examination
results that will be out soon. In school, I studied Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. I
hope to do well in the examination.

I realise that without excellent grades, I may not qualify for any medical course in the country. As for
going overseas, my parents may not be able to afford to pay for it. Without good grades, I will not
even qualify for a scholarship. Just imagine, to do a medical course in a private college in Malaysia
itself will cost more than RM 200,000. What about courses in Singapore and Australia or even India
and Russia? I know how competitive it is to study medicine. Hence, I need to score straight As in my
examination. I studied hard before the examination, and I hope to do well.

I have been fortunate to have solid backing and support from my loving parents especially my
mother who has been a biology teacher for quite a long time. If by the grace of God, I am given a
chance to study medicine, I will do my utmost to perform well. I have the will to study at the highest
level in this field. I aim to be heart surgeon and that is my ultimate goal in this life.