For the past few days, I was faced with the choice of what time I wanted to report for work.
The main reason for the reluctance to start work early is that the pay is mere pittance. Had it been more substantial, I might decide that getting to work early is more worthwhile than snatching another hour of sleep. But not with that pathetic pay.
So, even if I decide to go in a little later, I don't feel any pinch.
Today, I was hesitating between going in to mark some scripts or not going in. In the end, I decided not to go in. First, Tuesday is my off day and I had never gone in. I want to keep that tradition. Second, the kids do not deserve me slaving away to mark their pathetic work. Third, I decided more sleep was in order.
I am probably servicing a 33 year sleep debt and that might take another 33 years to repay. Honestly, the worst loanshark is sleep.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Is Compulsory Education the Way to Go?
I am still a believer in education.
But I do not believe in shoving education down the throats of those who do not wish to have it.
Ignorance is a disease. And yet its youthful sufferers wear their symptoms and illness with pride and pomp. Each is so worried that his or her ignorance is overshadowed by another's! The older sufferers begin to find ways to heal themselves. The chronic sufferers are mostly in jail, dead or healed.
The path to healing is inevitably education. Sadly, the path called education is filled with treacherous pitfalls for some while it is wide and welcoming for the others. It is boring and loathesome for some but yet intriguing and challenging for the others.
Even the most hardened ignoramuses would not be able to deny the goals of education. What they have not come to terms with is the fact that getting an education is non-negotiable if they want out of the rut.
I believe the way forward now, given our limited resources, is to extend free medical benefits to the citizens while making users pay for education. We should not and do not aim to turn away the masses. We just want to make it legitimate for those who are NOT in want of an education to opt out by using financial difficulties as a reason.
Think of all the benefits that come immediately. We can reduce the class sizes, our National Institute of Education would not be hard-pressed to churn out teachers a la production line, our teachers may finally get to offer courses and students bid to get into those classes. Teachers, in the long run, get paid a salary commensurate with their actual performance in class (students vote with their legs!) instead of being subjects of subjective appraisals.
As time passes, give medical subsidies in proportion to the education level attained by the patient. This way, we can prevent ignorance from multiplying.
Looks like compulsory education, like communism, is a good idea but badly executed.
But I do not believe in shoving education down the throats of those who do not wish to have it.
Ignorance is a disease. And yet its youthful sufferers wear their symptoms and illness with pride and pomp. Each is so worried that his or her ignorance is overshadowed by another's! The older sufferers begin to find ways to heal themselves. The chronic sufferers are mostly in jail, dead or healed.
The path to healing is inevitably education. Sadly, the path called education is filled with treacherous pitfalls for some while it is wide and welcoming for the others. It is boring and loathesome for some but yet intriguing and challenging for the others.
Even the most hardened ignoramuses would not be able to deny the goals of education. What they have not come to terms with is the fact that getting an education is non-negotiable if they want out of the rut.
I believe the way forward now, given our limited resources, is to extend free medical benefits to the citizens while making users pay for education. We should not and do not aim to turn away the masses. We just want to make it legitimate for those who are NOT in want of an education to opt out by using financial difficulties as a reason.
Think of all the benefits that come immediately. We can reduce the class sizes, our National Institute of Education would not be hard-pressed to churn out teachers a la production line, our teachers may finally get to offer courses and students bid to get into those classes. Teachers, in the long run, get paid a salary commensurate with their actual performance in class (students vote with their legs!) instead of being subjects of subjective appraisals.
As time passes, give medical subsidies in proportion to the education level attained by the patient. This way, we can prevent ignorance from multiplying.
Looks like compulsory education, like communism, is a good idea but badly executed.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Don't Forget to Smell the Flowers!
Amazing what it means to become ordinary again.
This idea of becoming ordinary can be explored a little more in another entry but it is about having the life back in my life.
Purpose. Value. Honesty.
These are hallmark of the work I do these days. And despite doing three jobs to replace one, I have found time to smell the flowers.
The busy-ness is a fruitful one and it comes with happiness. And I now know why I am rushing and if I should be. One thing that I have been most relentless in doing is to gulp in breaths of air and marvel at the abundance of freedom, joy and lightness of being now that my loads are removed.
Indeed,
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Mohandas Gandhi
This idea of becoming ordinary can be explored a little more in another entry but it is about having the life back in my life.
Purpose. Value. Honesty.
These are hallmark of the work I do these days. And despite doing three jobs to replace one, I have found time to smell the flowers.
The busy-ness is a fruitful one and it comes with happiness. And I now know why I am rushing and if I should be. One thing that I have been most relentless in doing is to gulp in breaths of air and marvel at the abundance of freedom, joy and lightness of being now that my loads are removed.
Indeed,
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Mohandas Gandhi
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Irony
Read something recently.
In the announcement, it was noted that in a workplace survey, the organisation scored low in the aspect of "work-life harmony". The organisation scored possibly significantly below the expected performance average but did marginally better than the national average.
Thus, in response to this, the bigwig of the organisation expressed that there may be a need to conduct workshops or seminars to address this anomaly.
How do having workshops and seminars - which really take the employee away from his/her family and rest time - address the issue at hand?
In the announcement, it was noted that in a workplace survey, the organisation scored low in the aspect of "work-life harmony". The organisation scored possibly significantly below the expected performance average but did marginally better than the national average.
Thus, in response to this, the bigwig of the organisation expressed that there may be a need to conduct workshops or seminars to address this anomaly.
How do having workshops and seminars - which really take the employee away from his/her family and rest time - address the issue at hand?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
'Are you a simpleton?' Quiz
1. Is hate the absence of love?
2. Is love the absence of hate?
3. Is open the opposite of closed?
4. Is closed the opposite of open?
5. Is calm the lack of turmoil?
6. Is turmoil the lack of peace?
7. Is venting the lack of satisfaction?
8. Is satisfaction the absence of venting?
Is any of your answer 'yes'? If so, please click here.
What do you mean nothing happened?
2. Is love the absence of hate?
3. Is open the opposite of closed?
4. Is closed the opposite of open?
5. Is calm the lack of turmoil?
6. Is turmoil the lack of peace?
7. Is venting the lack of satisfaction?
8. Is satisfaction the absence of venting?
Is any of your answer 'yes'? If so, please click here.
What do you mean nothing happened?
Friday, March 14, 2008
Disabusing Journal Writing
The journal has been used as a universa panacea for almost every thing in education. From counselling to English language to whatever you can think of.
But what good is a journal if it is merely a piece of work to be counted in the teacher's and the student's list of work to be done for the year?
A journal is a misnomer for any document where free prose is used as a form of giving feedback, confessions, teacher-student communication and what not.
It could be unguided. In this regard, what point is there to force the student to write a journal for me when there is supposed to be free play and for the life of me, they simply have either nothing or no interest to write?
It could be guided. Then it becomes a piece of assignment. A piece of ass-say in the disguise. Then isn't it plain disgusting that we now have another piece of heartfelt sharing that is neither heartfelt nor sharing?
I used to use "journals" - for the want of a better phrase - during my math lessons to check progress. On hindsight, it could be a renamed a progress checklist or progress journal. My students tell me what their problems are and what I have done well when I teach the topic. They tell me what else they want me to do to help them. It is a piece of non-threatening communication. A kind of 360 degree feedback, if you wish.
Still, I think we have flown off the handles for journals. We are overdoing it.
Someone should come out and start correcting the belief that journals can solve all problems. If anything, the first is to solve the problem of the need to mark journals. What a f**king joke!
But what good is a journal if it is merely a piece of work to be counted in the teacher's and the student's list of work to be done for the year?
A journal is a misnomer for any document where free prose is used as a form of giving feedback, confessions, teacher-student communication and what not.
It could be unguided. In this regard, what point is there to force the student to write a journal for me when there is supposed to be free play and for the life of me, they simply have either nothing or no interest to write?
It could be guided. Then it becomes a piece of assignment. A piece of ass-say in the disguise. Then isn't it plain disgusting that we now have another piece of heartfelt sharing that is neither heartfelt nor sharing?
I used to use "journals" - for the want of a better phrase - during my math lessons to check progress. On hindsight, it could be a renamed a progress checklist or progress journal. My students tell me what their problems are and what I have done well when I teach the topic. They tell me what else they want me to do to help them. It is a piece of non-threatening communication. A kind of 360 degree feedback, if you wish.
Still, I think we have flown off the handles for journals. We are overdoing it.
Someone should come out and start correcting the belief that journals can solve all problems. If anything, the first is to solve the problem of the need to mark journals. What a f**king joke!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Sue off the radar
The resident band at the Piano Bar at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront came on at about 8 pm last evening, after I had finished dinner at the adjoining Cafe Brios.
And the female lead was crooning "Sue Off The Radar". It was hilarious.
Here is the official version of "Sue Off The Radar".
And the female lead was crooning "Sue Off The Radar". It was hilarious.
Here is the official version of "Sue Off The Radar".
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thank you Malaysia
I heaved a huge sigh when I saw the newspapers announcing the Malaysia 2008 election results.
Deep inside me, my admiration of MM Lee Kwan Yew went a few notches higher. Even though as a Singaporean, I may not always agree with him, I do hold his opinion and views in high regard. Even if I do not like the man, I do not see any value in denying the worth of what he has done for us or the advice he has for us. This being said, I do like MM Lee.
Singapore and Malaysia were once one.
On 16 September 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak were formally merged and Malaysia was formed. For Singapore, the merger was thought to benefit the economy by creating a common free market, eliminating trade tariffs, and solving unemployment woes. The British government approved the merger, convinced that Singapore's security would be safeguarded within the much larger Malaysia.
The union was rocky from the start. During the 1963 Singapore state elections, a local branch of UMNO took part in the election despite an earlier UMNO's agreement with the PAP not to participate in the state's politics during Malaysia's formative years. Although UMNO lost all its bids, relations between PAP and UMNO worsened as the PAP, in a tit-for-tat, challenged UMNO candidates in the 1964 federal election as part of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention, winning one seat in Malaysian Parliament.
This union between the two countries as not a happy one. Malaysia was predominantly Malay whereas Singapore was predominantly Chinese. Lee Kuan Yew then had wanted equality for all races and build a Malaysian Malaysia. However, the UMNO leadership had wanted it to be a Malay Malaysia.
Racial tensions increased dramatically within a year and were fueled by Barisan Sosialis's tactics of stirring up communal sentiment to discredit the government of Singapore and the federal government of Malaysia.[citation needed] In particular, the Chinese in Singapore disdained being discriminated against by the federal policies of affirmative action, which granted special privileges to the Malays guaranteed under Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. There were also other financial and economic benefits that were preferentially given to Malays. Lee Kuan Yew and other political leaders began advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all races in Malaysia, with a rallying cry of "Malaysian Malaysia!".
The start of the racial riot on Muhammad's birthday, that would later injure hundreds and killed 23 people. Meanwhile, the Malays in Singapore were being increasingly incited by the federal government's accusations that the PAP was mistreating the Malays. The external political situation was also tense when Indonesian President Sukarno declared a state of Konfrontasi (Confrontation) against Malaysia and initiated military and other actions against the new nation, including the bombing of MacDonald House in Singapore in March 1965 by Indonesian commandos, killing three people. Indonesia also conducted sedition activities to provoke the Malays against the Chinese. Numerous racial riots resulted and curfews were frequently imposed to restore order. The most notorious riots were the 1964 Race Riots that first took place on Prophet Muhammad's birthday on 21 July with twenty three people killed and hundreds injured. During the unrest, the price of food skyrocketed when transport system was disrupted, causing further hardship for the people.
The state and federal governments also had conflicts on the economic front. UMNO leaders feared that the economic dominance of Singapore would inevitably shift political power away from Kuala Lumpur. Despite earlier agreement to establish a common market, Singapore continued to face restrictions when trading with the rest of Malaysia. In retaliation, Singapore refused to provide Sabah and Sarawak the full extent of the loans previously agreed to for the economic development of the two eastern states. The situation escalated to such intensity that talks soon broke down and abusive speeches and writings became rife on both sides. UMNO extremists called for the arrest of Lee Kuan Yew.
The divisive ideology was breaking up the union. The end of the merger was imminent.
Seeing no other alternative to avoid further bloodshed, the Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided to expel Singapore from the federation. The Parliament of Malaysia voted 126-0 in favour of the expulsion on 9 August 1965. On that day, a tearful Lee Kuan Yew announced on a televised press conference that Singapore was a sovereign, independent nation. In a widely remembered quote, he uttered that: "For me, it is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I have believed in merger and unity of the two territories." The new state became the Republic of Singapore and Yusof bin Ishak was appointed the first President.
The merger then was discussed on win-win terms. Singapore got to enhance its economic and people's ties with Malaysia while Malaysia could get the support of the predominantly Chinese population as well as the non-Communist PAP to stave off Communist threats. It was after the 12 years of the Malayan Emergency (against Communism) and what happened after that would make or break both countries.
With hindsight, it was easy to ridicule the marriage of convenience and condemn it to fail. However, who in the right mind would not have approached the marriage with the positive hope that it could just work out? Again, while it is easy now to say how the differences would have doomed the merger from the start, it might not be easy to reconcile the willingness then to make the differences work.
Still, when Singapore was unceremoniously kicked out, then-PM Lee was choked with emotions. I've seen the video footage. This was a man with a dream. The dream would have led to a major overhaul of both Singapore and Malaysia and jointly, these two countries might have produced an economic miracle much earlier. But the dream was not brought to bear.
Singapore became independent and moved in the direction of a Singaporean Singapore. Our pledge said it all:
We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
- S Rajaratnam in 1966
(For the uninitiated, the late Mr Rajaratnam is a Singaporean of Sri Lankan descent. His pledge said it all - Singapore was to be a meritocracy.)
Malaysia also went on its way to create its identity. Critically, Tunku Abdul Rahman implemented the bumiputra policy. Among other things, aspects of the bumiputra policy are means of affirmative action for the Malays. Such policies include quotas for the following: admission to government educational institutions, qualification for public scholarships, positions in government and ownership in business. Most of them were established in the Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP). Many of them focus on establishing a Bumiputra share of corporate equity comprising at least 30% of the total.
Consequentially, as a result of these policies, many Bumiputera millionaires were born at the stroke of a pen due to their connections.
In addition to the above economic advantages, Bumiputras previously received other privileges in public tertiary education, such as ethnic quotas. In 2004, Dr. Shafie Salleh, the newly appointed Higher Education Minister, stated that he "will ensure the quota of Malay students' entry into universities is always higher". This was demonstrated in 2004 when Non-Bumiputra students who scored 5As in the STPM (the highest possible grade) were denied admission to their first choice of study in public universities while Bumiputra students with lesser grades were nonetheless admitted.
Since 2000, the Government has discussed phasing out certain discriminatory practises, and reinstating "meritocracy". The eventual result was the system of "Malaysian model meritocracy" begun in 2003. In the implementation, admission to public universities was not based upon a common examination like the SAT or A-Levels but rather upon two parallel systems of a one-year matriculation course and a two-year STPM (literally translated as "Malaysian Higher School Certificate") programme. Bumiputras compose an overwhelming majority of entrants to the matriculation programme, leading to some complaints from the public, as the public university entry requirements are suggested to be easier for matriculation students.
For a long time, Malaysia has been ruled by the Barisan Nasional coalition of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan, MIC, and other smaller parties. It may be an open secret who are the abangs (elder brothers) and who are the adiks (younger brothers) when you see how the gravy train tracks run. For a long time, the coalition thought that the masses' needs are well-taken care of and addressed. But has it really been the case?
Political awakening
Given the recent spate of events, it was without a doubt that the minority Chinese and Indians in Malaysia are seething with anger after suffering so much injustice for so many years. Singapore, especially, has been a happy recipient country of many talented Malaysian Chinese and Indians who come here for studies and then settle down and contribute to our growth. But those who were not able to leave suffered in silence.
Until recently, the deafening silence became too loud to bear. The recent election results suggest that the ruling coalition and the masses probably have different hearing ranges. The government still heard nothing while the masses already have their ear drums blown out by the screams of anger and misery.
Political awakening has arrived.
This election outcome was not unexpected. It was a matter of time - albeit almost 50 years too late - that it arrived. Political systems, like many systems, have the ability to correct themselves and restore balance. The current system is skewed system and the election hopefully would restore it from its tipping point.
It is easy to blame PM Abdullah. It is also easy to credit Anwar or the other opposition leaders for making inroads. But the seeds of decay were planted much earlier. It is merely harvest time during Abdullah's watch.
BN may or may not know what to do next. But certainly, Malaysia needs to start healing itself and addressing the grievances, perceived or real. Malaysia knows it. Given this political pit-stop, Malaysia will invariably need to slow itself down and re-examine its options. It might set the overall development landscape back by a decade or so but I believe that Malaysia boleh.
While Singapore gleefully could stand beside a self-pronounced abang brought to its knees, Singapore knows that to do so is also to its detriment. Apart or as one, Singapore and Malaysia are more inter-twined that anyone could imagine. As a Singaporean, however, I cannot help but feel so very thankful to Malaysia and Tunku Abdul Rahman for kicking us out.
Deep inside me, my admiration of MM Lee Kwan Yew went a few notches higher. Even though as a Singaporean, I may not always agree with him, I do hold his opinion and views in high regard. Even if I do not like the man, I do not see any value in denying the worth of what he has done for us or the advice he has for us. This being said, I do like MM Lee.
Singapore and Malaysia were once one.
On 16 September 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak were formally merged and Malaysia was formed. For Singapore, the merger was thought to benefit the economy by creating a common free market, eliminating trade tariffs, and solving unemployment woes. The British government approved the merger, convinced that Singapore's security would be safeguarded within the much larger Malaysia.
The union was rocky from the start. During the 1963 Singapore state elections, a local branch of UMNO took part in the election despite an earlier UMNO's agreement with the PAP not to participate in the state's politics during Malaysia's formative years. Although UMNO lost all its bids, relations between PAP and UMNO worsened as the PAP, in a tit-for-tat, challenged UMNO candidates in the 1964 federal election as part of the Malaysian Solidarity Convention, winning one seat in Malaysian Parliament.
This union between the two countries as not a happy one. Malaysia was predominantly Malay whereas Singapore was predominantly Chinese. Lee Kuan Yew then had wanted equality for all races and build a Malaysian Malaysia. However, the UMNO leadership had wanted it to be a Malay Malaysia.
Racial tensions increased dramatically within a year and were fueled by Barisan Sosialis's tactics of stirring up communal sentiment to discredit the government of Singapore and the federal government of Malaysia.[citation needed] In particular, the Chinese in Singapore disdained being discriminated against by the federal policies of affirmative action, which granted special privileges to the Malays guaranteed under Article 153 of the Constitution of Malaysia. There were also other financial and economic benefits that were preferentially given to Malays. Lee Kuan Yew and other political leaders began advocating for the fair and equal treatment of all races in Malaysia, with a rallying cry of "Malaysian Malaysia!".
The start of the racial riot on Muhammad's birthday, that would later injure hundreds and killed 23 people. Meanwhile, the Malays in Singapore were being increasingly incited by the federal government's accusations that the PAP was mistreating the Malays. The external political situation was also tense when Indonesian President Sukarno declared a state of Konfrontasi (Confrontation) against Malaysia and initiated military and other actions against the new nation, including the bombing of MacDonald House in Singapore in March 1965 by Indonesian commandos, killing three people. Indonesia also conducted sedition activities to provoke the Malays against the Chinese. Numerous racial riots resulted and curfews were frequently imposed to restore order. The most notorious riots were the 1964 Race Riots that first took place on Prophet Muhammad's birthday on 21 July with twenty three people killed and hundreds injured. During the unrest, the price of food skyrocketed when transport system was disrupted, causing further hardship for the people.
The state and federal governments also had conflicts on the economic front. UMNO leaders feared that the economic dominance of Singapore would inevitably shift political power away from Kuala Lumpur. Despite earlier agreement to establish a common market, Singapore continued to face restrictions when trading with the rest of Malaysia. In retaliation, Singapore refused to provide Sabah and Sarawak the full extent of the loans previously agreed to for the economic development of the two eastern states. The situation escalated to such intensity that talks soon broke down and abusive speeches and writings became rife on both sides. UMNO extremists called for the arrest of Lee Kuan Yew.
The divisive ideology was breaking up the union. The end of the merger was imminent.
Seeing no other alternative to avoid further bloodshed, the Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided to expel Singapore from the federation. The Parliament of Malaysia voted 126-0 in favour of the expulsion on 9 August 1965. On that day, a tearful Lee Kuan Yew announced on a televised press conference that Singapore was a sovereign, independent nation. In a widely remembered quote, he uttered that: "For me, it is a moment of anguish. All my life, my whole adult life, I have believed in merger and unity of the two territories." The new state became the Republic of Singapore and Yusof bin Ishak was appointed the first President.
The merger then was discussed on win-win terms. Singapore got to enhance its economic and people's ties with Malaysia while Malaysia could get the support of the predominantly Chinese population as well as the non-Communist PAP to stave off Communist threats. It was after the 12 years of the Malayan Emergency (against Communism) and what happened after that would make or break both countries.
With hindsight, it was easy to ridicule the marriage of convenience and condemn it to fail. However, who in the right mind would not have approached the marriage with the positive hope that it could just work out? Again, while it is easy now to say how the differences would have doomed the merger from the start, it might not be easy to reconcile the willingness then to make the differences work.
Still, when Singapore was unceremoniously kicked out, then-PM Lee was choked with emotions. I've seen the video footage. This was a man with a dream. The dream would have led to a major overhaul of both Singapore and Malaysia and jointly, these two countries might have produced an economic miracle much earlier. But the dream was not brought to bear.
Singapore became independent and moved in the direction of a Singaporean Singapore. Our pledge said it all:
We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
- S Rajaratnam in 1966
(For the uninitiated, the late Mr Rajaratnam is a Singaporean of Sri Lankan descent. His pledge said it all - Singapore was to be a meritocracy.)
Malaysia also went on its way to create its identity. Critically, Tunku Abdul Rahman implemented the bumiputra policy. Among other things, aspects of the bumiputra policy are means of affirmative action for the Malays. Such policies include quotas for the following: admission to government educational institutions, qualification for public scholarships, positions in government and ownership in business. Most of them were established in the Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP). Many of them focus on establishing a Bumiputra share of corporate equity comprising at least 30% of the total.
Consequentially, as a result of these policies, many Bumiputera millionaires were born at the stroke of a pen due to their connections.
In addition to the above economic advantages, Bumiputras previously received other privileges in public tertiary education, such as ethnic quotas. In 2004, Dr. Shafie Salleh, the newly appointed Higher Education Minister, stated that he "will ensure the quota of Malay students' entry into universities is always higher". This was demonstrated in 2004 when Non-Bumiputra students who scored 5As in the STPM (the highest possible grade) were denied admission to their first choice of study in public universities while Bumiputra students with lesser grades were nonetheless admitted.
Since 2000, the Government has discussed phasing out certain discriminatory practises, and reinstating "meritocracy". The eventual result was the system of "Malaysian model meritocracy" begun in 2003. In the implementation, admission to public universities was not based upon a common examination like the SAT or A-Levels but rather upon two parallel systems of a one-year matriculation course and a two-year STPM (literally translated as "Malaysian Higher School Certificate") programme. Bumiputras compose an overwhelming majority of entrants to the matriculation programme, leading to some complaints from the public, as the public university entry requirements are suggested to be easier for matriculation students.
For a long time, Malaysia has been ruled by the Barisan Nasional coalition of UMNO, MCA, Gerakan, MIC, and other smaller parties. It may be an open secret who are the abangs (elder brothers) and who are the adiks (younger brothers) when you see how the gravy train tracks run. For a long time, the coalition thought that the masses' needs are well-taken care of and addressed. But has it really been the case?
Political awakening
Given the recent spate of events, it was without a doubt that the minority Chinese and Indians in Malaysia are seething with anger after suffering so much injustice for so many years. Singapore, especially, has been a happy recipient country of many talented Malaysian Chinese and Indians who come here for studies and then settle down and contribute to our growth. But those who were not able to leave suffered in silence.
Until recently, the deafening silence became too loud to bear. The recent election results suggest that the ruling coalition and the masses probably have different hearing ranges. The government still heard nothing while the masses already have their ear drums blown out by the screams of anger and misery.
Political awakening has arrived.
This election outcome was not unexpected. It was a matter of time - albeit almost 50 years too late - that it arrived. Political systems, like many systems, have the ability to correct themselves and restore balance. The current system is skewed system and the election hopefully would restore it from its tipping point.
It is easy to blame PM Abdullah. It is also easy to credit Anwar or the other opposition leaders for making inroads. But the seeds of decay were planted much earlier. It is merely harvest time during Abdullah's watch.
BN may or may not know what to do next. But certainly, Malaysia needs to start healing itself and addressing the grievances, perceived or real. Malaysia knows it. Given this political pit-stop, Malaysia will invariably need to slow itself down and re-examine its options. It might set the overall development landscape back by a decade or so but I believe that Malaysia boleh.
While Singapore gleefully could stand beside a self-pronounced abang brought to its knees, Singapore knows that to do so is also to its detriment. Apart or as one, Singapore and Malaysia are more inter-twined that anyone could imagine. As a Singaporean, however, I cannot help but feel so very thankful to Malaysia and Tunku Abdul Rahman for kicking us out.
What a difference a day makes
Yeah. A huge difference.
24 little hours
It all adds up whether you are pursuing your love for 24 hours a day or trying to meet ridiculous deadlines or stay under the radar for the same duration. One energises you and the other enervates you. Just so amazing how interest is so important.
I love my job. This is how that Dr Suess poem began.
The Lost Dr. Seuss Book: I Love My Job
I love my job, I love the pay.
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss; he/she is the best.
I love his boss and all the rest.
I love my office and its location.
I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and gray,
And the paper that piles up every day.
I love my chair in my padded cell.
There's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers.
I love their leers and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and its software;
I hug it often though it don't care.
I love each program and every file,
I try to understand once in a while.
I'm happy to be here, I am, I am;
I'm the happiest slave of my Uncle Sam.
I love this work; I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job - I'll say it again.
I even love these friendly men,
These men who've come to visit today
In lovely white coats to take me away.
Hilarious, when I first read it. But looking back, the irony of it all.
I used to think I have understood the parable of the boiling frog. Perhaps I didn't really. Or I tried to think I did. Or... Or the fact that getting what some others perceive to be a disgusting amount of money from the company each month was a huge deterrent to even daring to let the thought of jumping out of the boiling water germinate in my mind. (To set the record straight, my pay is not a lot. Things have to be taken in proportion. I am just a humble civil servant, a serf, a being of lowly existence.)
So looking back, I had tolerated the heat well. Of course, I had bitched about it. In an earlier blog "Weapons of Math Destruction", I had talked about the malpractices of some people and was ordered to remove my blog. That's why Teflonman came about. A man who lets praise and insults slide off like water off a duck's back, even during high heat situations. This is akin to how teflon coating in pans keep food from sticking to the sides and bottoms during cooking.
Then recently, I realised that the Teflon tag was sort of negative in nature. Coincidentally, it was applied to Ronald Reagan first in 1983. Reagan is one of the US presidents I liked. In any case, the coinage is a recent one for him despite the fact that teflon was first invented in 1938. Still, I claim independence of thought, because I was entirely unaware of this usage until recently. I didn't do my literature review, of course. But it isn't an academic thesis that I am writing.
I digress.
Being my own boss in charge of my own destiny, I appreciate how little it takes to keep a person alive. Ok, to be fair, trained teachers are hard to starve. Opportunities are also available in the school system here to allow the lay folks to come in once a while for relief duties (such as keeping discipline in a class) when the incumbent is away for valid reasons. These pay rather well, if you live a life of an ordinary man and not a king.
But honestly, one can never make enough money. And, perhaps it is really age catching up with me, money cannot buy happiness. Worse, suffering misery does not definitely get you money either. It helps when the money you make helps to alleviate the misery you are feeling. Or, should it be: it helps when the misery you suffer helps to get you the money you desire? I honestly don't know. Different people view money differently. Just like I view food.
I love my money. I love money. Unfortunately, money does not really love me. My money always makes me tempted to spend it. It must be a love-hate relationship. So, I often empty out my wallet. Fortunately, for me, I do try and get the money back by working really hard.
Why this post? Simply because Fraser (I have still yet to figure out what T. in T. F. stands for. Maybe Terrible? Tyrannical? Timothy? Nah, he doesn't look like a Timothy to me. Thomas? Terry?) asked what (happiness) drugs I am taking and if I had bought it from the streets or some peddler.
Honestly, you are your own and your best medicine. Being true to yourself will eventually lead you to the path of happiness. It is an irony but for me, giving up my living got me back my life in return.
24 little hours. Thankfully, I get to spend them in a gladful fashion now.
24 little hours
It all adds up whether you are pursuing your love for 24 hours a day or trying to meet ridiculous deadlines or stay under the radar for the same duration. One energises you and the other enervates you. Just so amazing how interest is so important.
I love my job. This is how that Dr Suess poem began.
The Lost Dr. Seuss Book: I Love My Job
I love my job, I love the pay.
I love it more and more each day.
I love my boss; he/she is the best.
I love his boss and all the rest.
I love my office and its location.
I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and gray,
And the paper that piles up every day.
I love my chair in my padded cell.
There's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers.
I love their leers and jeers and sneers.
I love my computer and its software;
I hug it often though it don't care.
I love each program and every file,
I try to understand once in a while.
I'm happy to be here, I am, I am;
I'm the happiest slave of my Uncle Sam.
I love this work; I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.
I love my job - I'll say it again.
I even love these friendly men,
These men who've come to visit today
In lovely white coats to take me away.
Hilarious, when I first read it. But looking back, the irony of it all.
I used to think I have understood the parable of the boiling frog. Perhaps I didn't really. Or I tried to think I did. Or... Or the fact that getting what some others perceive to be a disgusting amount of money from the company each month was a huge deterrent to even daring to let the thought of jumping out of the boiling water germinate in my mind. (To set the record straight, my pay is not a lot. Things have to be taken in proportion. I am just a humble civil servant, a serf, a being of lowly existence.)
So looking back, I had tolerated the heat well. Of course, I had bitched about it. In an earlier blog "Weapons of Math Destruction", I had talked about the malpractices of some people and was ordered to remove my blog. That's why Teflonman came about. A man who lets praise and insults slide off like water off a duck's back, even during high heat situations. This is akin to how teflon coating in pans keep food from sticking to the sides and bottoms during cooking.
Then recently, I realised that the Teflon tag was sort of negative in nature. Coincidentally, it was applied to Ronald Reagan first in 1983. Reagan is one of the US presidents I liked. In any case, the coinage is a recent one for him despite the fact that teflon was first invented in 1938. Still, I claim independence of thought, because I was entirely unaware of this usage until recently. I didn't do my literature review, of course. But it isn't an academic thesis that I am writing.
I digress.
Being my own boss in charge of my own destiny, I appreciate how little it takes to keep a person alive. Ok, to be fair, trained teachers are hard to starve. Opportunities are also available in the school system here to allow the lay folks to come in once a while for relief duties (such as keeping discipline in a class) when the incumbent is away for valid reasons. These pay rather well, if you live a life of an ordinary man and not a king.
But honestly, one can never make enough money. And, perhaps it is really age catching up with me, money cannot buy happiness. Worse, suffering misery does not definitely get you money either. It helps when the money you make helps to alleviate the misery you are feeling. Or, should it be: it helps when the misery you suffer helps to get you the money you desire? I honestly don't know. Different people view money differently. Just like I view food.
I love my money. I love money. Unfortunately, money does not really love me. My money always makes me tempted to spend it. It must be a love-hate relationship. So, I often empty out my wallet. Fortunately, for me, I do try and get the money back by working really hard.
Why this post? Simply because Fraser (I have still yet to figure out what T. in T. F. stands for. Maybe Terrible? Tyrannical? Timothy? Nah, he doesn't look like a Timothy to me. Thomas? Terry?) asked what (happiness) drugs I am taking and if I had bought it from the streets or some peddler.
Honestly, you are your own and your best medicine. Being true to yourself will eventually lead you to the path of happiness. It is an irony but for me, giving up my living got me back my life in return.
24 little hours. Thankfully, I get to spend them in a gladful fashion now.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Space, Toes and Russian
Interesting examples during the Grammar workshop on Articles.
Space
The effects of no article, indefinite article and definite article.
Example 1
Guy (to Girl): Dear, I need space.
Girl: Ok, how much time do you need?
Example 2
Guy: Dear, I need a space.
Girl (moves to the side of the bed): Here's some space.
Example 3
Guy: Dear, I need the space.
Girl (vacates the place she is occupying): Nah, here's your space.
Toes
Example 1
Guy (to Girl): You have nice toes.
Girl: Why, thank you!
Example 2
Guy: You have some nice toes.
Girl (kicks Guy off the bed): You better tell me whick toes are not nice or I'll shove my foot in your mouth.
Russian
Example 1
Russian is hard to master.
Example 2
The Russian is hard to master.
(Marker's comment: Inappropriate to discuss in an academic essay.)
It was fun.
Space
The effects of no article, indefinite article and definite article.
Example 1
Guy (to Girl): Dear, I need space.
Girl: Ok, how much time do you need?
Example 2
Guy: Dear, I need a space.
Girl (moves to the side of the bed): Here's some space.
Example 3
Guy: Dear, I need the space.
Girl (vacates the place she is occupying): Nah, here's your space.
Toes
Example 1
Guy (to Girl): You have nice toes.
Girl: Why, thank you!
Example 2
Guy: You have some nice toes.
Girl (kicks Guy off the bed): You better tell me whick toes are not nice or I'll shove my foot in your mouth.
Russian
Example 1
Russian is hard to master.
Example 2
The Russian is hard to master.
(Marker's comment: Inappropriate to discuss in an academic essay.)
It was fun.
"Prof"?
Taught two grammar workshops at the Management University today.
The students attending the course were taking them to meet their language requirements set by the university for graduation. This is a result of them having failed the various EL proficiency tests.
And it was very interesting that despite me telling them to refer to me as "Eugene" during the lessons, they preferred to call me "Prof".
Hm... Sounds very good.
It's a sign. I should work for my PhD soon, so I can live up to that moniker. :)
The students attending the course were taking them to meet their language requirements set by the university for graduation. This is a result of them having failed the various EL proficiency tests.
And it was very interesting that despite me telling them to refer to me as "Eugene" during the lessons, they preferred to call me "Prof".
Hm... Sounds very good.
It's a sign. I should work for my PhD soon, so I can live up to that moniker. :)
Rate her IQ
Gave a test during the middle of the week.
My usual practice is for the class to clear their desks of all unnecessary books and stuff before I begin any class. So, during a test where the answers were to be written on the test paper, students were asked to put away everything except writing materials.
The test was a breeze for those who studied and a nightmare for those who didn't. It was a vocabulary test and all the kids had to do was to complete the spellings or match the words to their synonyms.
In fact, to help them with the test, a practice paper which largely mimicked this actual paper was given to the students at the start of the week. I immediately graded the papers (at the expense of the other work I had to do) and returned the scripts to them so that they could prepare for the test.
I digress. As the test progressed, I told the class that people who had completed the paper could rest by placing their heads on the table. So as more and more heads met the table tops, I asked if the class finished the paper. I got a chorus of yeses. Then I asked if I could collect the paper. I got no response.
So I asked if anyone needed the remaining time to check their answers. One girl - the same girl whom I caught during the middle of the test reading a Chinese newspaper and I warned her against such acts - put up her hands.
I was cursing inside me and so I granted everyone the last 5 minutes. The next thing, I saw her rummaging under her desk. I sneaked up and caught her handling the practice quiz paper. She was holding the paper in her hands and I caught her red-handed.
Of course she denied that she was copying. And of course, I insisted that she copied since the paper was in her hands.
Sweet victory. She taped the Claymore to herself and then passed me the detonator on a gold platter adorned with glittering diamonds. HOW COULD I RESIST?
This girl is also the one who disturbs the class with the voice of a thunder goddess but when you ask her to read a passage aloud, she'll read with her mosquito voice.
Having caught her was probably the highlight of the week!
I leave my smart readers to decide what her IQ really is.
My usual practice is for the class to clear their desks of all unnecessary books and stuff before I begin any class. So, during a test where the answers were to be written on the test paper, students were asked to put away everything except writing materials.
The test was a breeze for those who studied and a nightmare for those who didn't. It was a vocabulary test and all the kids had to do was to complete the spellings or match the words to their synonyms.
In fact, to help them with the test, a practice paper which largely mimicked this actual paper was given to the students at the start of the week. I immediately graded the papers (at the expense of the other work I had to do) and returned the scripts to them so that they could prepare for the test.
I digress. As the test progressed, I told the class that people who had completed the paper could rest by placing their heads on the table. So as more and more heads met the table tops, I asked if the class finished the paper. I got a chorus of yeses. Then I asked if I could collect the paper. I got no response.
So I asked if anyone needed the remaining time to check their answers. One girl - the same girl whom I caught during the middle of the test reading a Chinese newspaper and I warned her against such acts - put up her hands.
I was cursing inside me and so I granted everyone the last 5 minutes. The next thing, I saw her rummaging under her desk. I sneaked up and caught her handling the practice quiz paper. She was holding the paper in her hands and I caught her red-handed.
Of course she denied that she was copying. And of course, I insisted that she copied since the paper was in her hands.
Sweet victory. She taped the Claymore to herself and then passed me the detonator on a gold platter adorned with glittering diamonds. HOW COULD I RESIST?
This girl is also the one who disturbs the class with the voice of a thunder goddess but when you ask her to read a passage aloud, she'll read with her mosquito voice.
Having caught her was probably the highlight of the week!
I leave my smart readers to decide what her IQ really is.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Blody sluts
Was telling Marlz during our MSN chat that I see shadows of my students past in my students now.
Oh well. But there are some students now that are best devoid of predecessors and successors!
The second last express class I am taking has a group of self-possessed, self-important, short-sighted and f***ing ugly (I should just use fugly) sluts. They probably had tutors who were teaching ahead (only dumb tutors do that - why snatch and do what teachers are paid to do? Perhaps these tutors find that their fees are too easy to earn?) and they would be folding things like paper waste trays or passing notes or eating in class. There is absolutely no regard to what is really happening in class.
For the record, these dumb sluts are not smart. They think they are. Now, the problem comes - they are not pretty enough to win Miss Universe (what do the bengs call those faces? Is it langgar lorry - crashed into by a lorry?) and they are not enough to be the school nerd.
Yet when you tell them to pay attention in class, they have the cheek to complain that whatever is written on the board are not reproduced for them as handouts.
I wonder what their hands are used for? Mast**b*ting? Oh, sorry. Folding origami. I hope they all fail and repeat the next year. And for good measure, I am their math teacher. Wow! I'd have a field day.
Oh well. But there are some students now that are best devoid of predecessors and successors!
The second last express class I am taking has a group of self-possessed, self-important, short-sighted and f***ing ugly (I should just use fugly) sluts. They probably had tutors who were teaching ahead (only dumb tutors do that - why snatch and do what teachers are paid to do? Perhaps these tutors find that their fees are too easy to earn?) and they would be folding things like paper waste trays or passing notes or eating in class. There is absolutely no regard to what is really happening in class.
For the record, these dumb sluts are not smart. They think they are. Now, the problem comes - they are not pretty enough to win Miss Universe (what do the bengs call those faces? Is it langgar lorry - crashed into by a lorry?) and they are not enough to be the school nerd.
Yet when you tell them to pay attention in class, they have the cheek to complain that whatever is written on the board are not reproduced for them as handouts.
I wonder what their hands are used for? Mast**b*ting? Oh, sorry. Folding origami. I hope they all fail and repeat the next year. And for good measure, I am their math teacher. Wow! I'd have a field day.
Vengeful kid
A pupil in my English Language class wrote in his journal that his parents had high expectations for him but his sole aim in life at this stage is to shatter their dreams to smithereens.
He said they had wanted him to study hard and get promoted to the 4-year Express Stream rather than to stay on in the 5-year Normal (Academic) Stream. But he would like to fail every subject and get himself demoted to the 5-year Normal (Technical) Stream where it would be impossible to further one's studies after the 4th year in the stream.
This boy has an abusive father and is often walloped by senior.
I loved his idea. I absolutely loved it! What melodrama unfolding right in front of your very eyes - the oppressive father and the vengeful, calculating, spiteful son whose sole existence is retaliation and revenge. Or rather, mutual destruction. I love it, I tell you. How many 13-year-old kids can elucidate plans of such viciousness in such detail so succinctly? My summary in the front failed to do his journal entry any justice. However, professional etiquette prevents me from reproducing the journal entry at all.
Still, I was expected to comment. I had written that "I loved your idea". Then I realised I might get into trouble with the school authorities. So I taped out "I loved", writing the following in essence.
Your idea... the only flaw is that you will not live with your parents forever. Your parents would also not be with you forever. You will either leave them or they will leave you behind eventually. Shortchanging yourself in education now will simply hinder you from having a good future for yourself. The most effective revenge is to do so well that you are able to stand on your own two feet, walk away and lead a better life than your parents.
I can't remember what else I had written, but I hope I could make headway bit by bit to turn this boy around. While I might not be able to lead him to salvation, perhaps I could at least lead him away from self-destruction.
Am I getting soft?
He said they had wanted him to study hard and get promoted to the 4-year Express Stream rather than to stay on in the 5-year Normal (Academic) Stream. But he would like to fail every subject and get himself demoted to the 5-year Normal (Technical) Stream where it would be impossible to further one's studies after the 4th year in the stream.
This boy has an abusive father and is often walloped by senior.
I loved his idea. I absolutely loved it! What melodrama unfolding right in front of your very eyes - the oppressive father and the vengeful, calculating, spiteful son whose sole existence is retaliation and revenge. Or rather, mutual destruction. I love it, I tell you. How many 13-year-old kids can elucidate plans of such viciousness in such detail so succinctly? My summary in the front failed to do his journal entry any justice. However, professional etiquette prevents me from reproducing the journal entry at all.
Still, I was expected to comment. I had written that "I loved your idea". Then I realised I might get into trouble with the school authorities. So I taped out "I loved", writing the following in essence.
Your idea... the only flaw is that you will not live with your parents forever. Your parents would also not be with you forever. You will either leave them or they will leave you behind eventually. Shortchanging yourself in education now will simply hinder you from having a good future for yourself. The most effective revenge is to do so well that you are able to stand on your own two feet, walk away and lead a better life than your parents.
I can't remember what else I had written, but I hope I could make headway bit by bit to turn this boy around. While I might not be able to lead him to salvation, perhaps I could at least lead him away from self-destruction.
Am I getting soft?
He did it
My A level tuition kid got a C for his H2 Mathematics. I think this is a success of sorts - but mainly that regardless of how the exam syllabus is tweaked, exam-oriented tutors like me are able to get our charges to work around it.
Honestly, for him to get C was a huge success for him. He was a consistent F-er, having not done Additional Mathematics at the O levels (often deemed a pre-requisite for H2 Math).
While he worked hard, I worked smart. Together, we make a great team!
I now wish him the best of luck in his university applications.
Honestly, for him to get C was a huge success for him. He was a consistent F-er, having not done Additional Mathematics at the O levels (often deemed a pre-requisite for H2 Math).
While he worked hard, I worked smart. Together, we make a great team!
I now wish him the best of luck in his university applications.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine
For Old Whig. I'm sorry. I wish I could find a better recording but hey, this is during your era.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
My Terms
I just told a head of department that I will not be teaching his subject once my contract ends. It simply takes too much time preparing for the lessons and marking the assignments of that subject.
There are simply too many books to teach from and too much of the lessons require extensive planning and preparations. And the monkeys - those damned monkeys - need such close supervision! One can go through the assignment to be done and once they start doing it for submission, they give you crap. As a result, I spend all my time grading crap.
Part of the problem comes from the fact that the work assigned could be too tough for the kids but who am I to say so since the head and the school do not want to come to terms with the kids' true abilities?
With the assignments so tough and the tests so easy, the kids are confused as to what standards they ought to meet to do well for the subject. As their teacher, I am confused too. So, I guess it's best to say goodbye to the subject.
After all, as an adjunct, if I do not dictate my terms for my employment, then I should simply stay employed full-time and tolerate all the shit flung in my face.
There are simply too many books to teach from and too much of the lessons require extensive planning and preparations. And the monkeys - those damned monkeys - need such close supervision! One can go through the assignment to be done and once they start doing it for submission, they give you crap. As a result, I spend all my time grading crap.
Part of the problem comes from the fact that the work assigned could be too tough for the kids but who am I to say so since the head and the school do not want to come to terms with the kids' true abilities?
With the assignments so tough and the tests so easy, the kids are confused as to what standards they ought to meet to do well for the subject. As their teacher, I am confused too. So, I guess it's best to say goodbye to the subject.
After all, as an adjunct, if I do not dictate my terms for my employment, then I should simply stay employed full-time and tolerate all the shit flung in my face.
Deja Vu
I'm backing teaching at a secondary school.
Unlike teaching in a government school, I am teaching in a mission school (government-aided) this time.
There are some differences in the way the school is run. While the government school lacked certain autonomy in school related matters, the aided school lacked funds (as it depended mostly on the voluntary donations and through fund raising). But one thing remained constant - the learning attitudes of students.
The school isn't a top school - top school have kids with different learning attitudes: extremely motivated or entirely indifferent - and expectedly, most of them lacked motivation.
Discipline is quite an issue at the school. Most of the better classes are rather well behaved but it just takes the few rotten apples to spoil the whole crate. One thing that I am still persplexed about - why do teachers not desist firmly when they spot indiscipline? To me, teachers need to be united against these trouble makers and make life unbearable for them.
However, I don't see that happening. Disciplining, if it takes place, are solitary efforts and it is entirely enervating for me. Why am I fighting a solitary battle against a bunch of monkeys and the other teachers doing the same when we should simply join forces and make the monkey's life sheer purgatory?
One other thing that amuses me - most teachers speak to the class through a portable mic. This is so weird. And in class, they fight noise with noise. Then they told me that I am lucky to have an inbuilt loud speaker in me. I don't have a loud speaker in me. I could be loud but I prefer to desist differently. I use silence and a handsign (meaning stop in hand traffic signals) to get the class to quieten down and give me their attention. Some monkeys, being monkeys, cannot keep still but I do get some semblence of reasonable silence where I can get my lessons going. By and large, a number of girls are well-behaved.
My secondary 4 and secondary 5 classes are extremely nice and well-behaved. Apart from a few fellows with poor learning attitudes - and they are entirely indifferent about it - most are motivated to learn. And the same old trick - I don't understand - has reared its ugly head again. As usual, I corner the child into saying from where the doubts begin. This way, I am able to zero in to the problem. They have also realised that saying "I don't understand everything" cuts no ice with me.
Still, I am enjoying my stint in the school.
Unlike teaching in a government school, I am teaching in a mission school (government-aided) this time.
There are some differences in the way the school is run. While the government school lacked certain autonomy in school related matters, the aided school lacked funds (as it depended mostly on the voluntary donations and through fund raising). But one thing remained constant - the learning attitudes of students.
The school isn't a top school - top school have kids with different learning attitudes: extremely motivated or entirely indifferent - and expectedly, most of them lacked motivation.
Discipline is quite an issue at the school. Most of the better classes are rather well behaved but it just takes the few rotten apples to spoil the whole crate. One thing that I am still persplexed about - why do teachers not desist firmly when they spot indiscipline? To me, teachers need to be united against these trouble makers and make life unbearable for them.
However, I don't see that happening. Disciplining, if it takes place, are solitary efforts and it is entirely enervating for me. Why am I fighting a solitary battle against a bunch of monkeys and the other teachers doing the same when we should simply join forces and make the monkey's life sheer purgatory?
One other thing that amuses me - most teachers speak to the class through a portable mic. This is so weird. And in class, they fight noise with noise. Then they told me that I am lucky to have an inbuilt loud speaker in me. I don't have a loud speaker in me. I could be loud but I prefer to desist differently. I use silence and a handsign (meaning stop in hand traffic signals) to get the class to quieten down and give me their attention. Some monkeys, being monkeys, cannot keep still but I do get some semblence of reasonable silence where I can get my lessons going. By and large, a number of girls are well-behaved.
My secondary 4 and secondary 5 classes are extremely nice and well-behaved. Apart from a few fellows with poor learning attitudes - and they are entirely indifferent about it - most are motivated to learn. And the same old trick - I don't understand - has reared its ugly head again. As usual, I corner the child into saying from where the doubts begin. This way, I am able to zero in to the problem. They have also realised that saying "I don't understand everything" cuts no ice with me.
Still, I am enjoying my stint in the school.
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