LETTERS: Teachers' Day has just passed so it's apt to pay tribute to the teachers — a noble lot. I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words of appreciation to the teachers of the forgotten period — the '60s — while schooling in Raub, Pahang.
I started schooling in 1961 (Standard 1) and was in Form 3 in 1969. I do remember most of the teachers then, as my eldest sister, GM, too was a teacher, who incidentally taught me in Form 2.
Teachers of the '60s were a simple and fun-loving bunch, with no airs about them, many cycling to school as their salary was a paltry one those days. But, they were very committed to their profession.
Tuition was unheard of then, probably because most of the parents could not afford it. Even if it was given, it was more out of goodwill for a token sum.
Of course, the mode of teaching during the '60s was chalk and talk, but most of them transformed into great actors to make the lesson lively and interesting.
Stress was an unheard of word then, as teachers were not under duress. The emphasis was solely on teaching then, plus co-curriculum activities after school.
Discipline was maintained at schools by the strict Headmasters, and so teachers could focus on what they know best, that is, teaching with peace of mind.
I remember the Peace Corp teacher, Jane Russell (my sister GM's best friend, together with Phyllis Tan) had a great two years in Raub while teaching in SMK Mahmud. The laid back slow paced life suited her ideally in contrast to what life was in the United States.
There was no television in Raub during the '60s. Listening to the radio or records from gramophone was the norm. So, most of them will be marking the exercise books of the students at their homes, while listening to music.
This I can safely say so because our immediate neighbours to our "semi-detached" wooden government house, directly opposite the Central Electricity Board (CEB), now called as TNB, were teachers from Mahmud Secondary School.
Our family of eight siblings were a well-behaved brood, thanks to my mother, our "guru disiplin" (a glaring stare would suffice), to the extent that the teachers borrowed our bicycles at times when they needed to.
Teachers back then had ample free time to go fishing, jungle tracking and camping during their leisure. Those inclined towards sports would be spending their time coaching their students.
The residents of Raub were a sports loving lot too. Teachers would take part in the local football league, with the likes of N. Krishnasamy and Gandinesen or in the hockey league, the likes of R. Balakrishnan and V.T. Chandran.
Lastly, as they say, the medical field is a noble profession. Likewise, teaching is a noble vocation too. Both, like two peas in a pod, steeped in passion and compassion.
Thiagarajan Mathiaparanam
Klang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times