New teachers raring for ‘golden experience’ in deep rural Sabah
Teachers who received first postings say they are excited about long walks, dangerous boat rides and even crocodiles in rivers in quest to educate children.
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 101 new teachers happily received their postings during a ceremony here recently.
And some of them will have experiences that few teachers can have – in the deep, rural areas of Sabah. They know that they will have to make sacrifices, both personal and professional.
“Don’t be surprised when you come across children who have never heard a single word of English,” said Sabah Education Department director Maimunah Suhaibul during a briefing for the new teachers on Wednesday.
“You may have to walk long-distance on soggy fields, or drive on a muddy logging road, or take a boat ride, or a combination of these, to get to the school. And then there are crocodiles in the river where your school is located. And you have to brave these five times a week.
“Only the brave, sincere and courageous can take these challenges to touch these young people’s lives. I hope you’re all brave, sincere and courageous teachers.”
After graduating, the new teachers’ waited quite some time for news of their postings.
The wait ended when they received a letter from the education department saying they had been posted and that they had to attend a pre-posting briefing.
The heavy-duty briefing lasted five hours, with the new recruits apparently in suspense throughout as to where they would begin their career.
The briefing ended with Maimunah handing over the teachers’ appointment letters one by one, and only then did they learn the location of their first assignment.
Athirah Zahir Rosly, 24, from Ranau, trained to be a music teacher at the Teachers’ Training Institute, Tun Abdul Razak Campus, in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.
She graduated in November last year and after a half-year wait, she was happy to finally receive her posting although she was initially nervous about where she would get her feet wet in her career.
“I waited for about half a year, waiting for news of my first posting. I was raring to start, so I didn’t mind which district the department would assign me. I had an open mind,” she told FMT.
“When I got word from the education department about my posting, I was very happy. Finally the wait ended. So I went to headquarters for the briefing.”
Athirah has been posted to Telupid, a small rural district, which she said was “Rural 3”, which means the district is in the most interior area.
“Initially I was a little bit nervous. Telupid is two hours away from my hometown and I have to drive on a mostly logging road to get to my first posting.
“But I’m not worried too much about this as it’s not too far from home and my family. It will be an invaluable experience for me. It’s our first checkpoint and I hope other teachers will also accept the rural area assignments.”
Athirah’s former classmate at the training institute, Mohamad Syazni Matsah, also majored in music education.
The 24-year-old from Tuaran was posted to SK Sabur, on Banggi Island, 50 minutes away by boat from Kudat, the northernmost district in Sabah.
“Banggi Island and Kudat may be in the Esszone (Eastern Sabah Security Zone), but I don’t dwell too much on this because there are plenty of security forces present there” he said.
“I was prepared physically and mentally for this rural area assignment because the instructors at the training institute had been drilling this possibility into our head.
“I’m happy to receive this great experience because not everyone receives such a challenging posting. This rural teaching stint will stand me in good stead.
“I stand to grow more as a person and a teacher. I believe we are the ‘chosen ones’ for this big mission. I’m sure I’ll relish this new role and challenge in my life.”
Kuala Penyu-born Shafil Salam trained at the Darul Aman Teachers’ Training Institute in Jitra, Kedah.
The 24-year-old remedial education teacher has been posted to SK Tanjung Labian in Lahad Datu in Sabah’s east coast, also located in the Esszone.
Shafil had been wishing for a rural assignment since he was at the training institute.
“The long wait for the posting was no fun. So, when I finally got the call for the briefing and assignment, I was elated,” said Shafil.
“I was doubly happy and surprised that my wish had come true. This will be a golden opportunity to be a good teacher and the rural teaching experience will enrich me.
“My family will be definitely worried about my work location. Curfews will be enforced by the security forces in the Esszone, but I have to be strong and persevere.
Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram
“There’ll be people and other teachers there, so I’m not concerned about the security situation there too much. If they can go on with life as normal, why can’t I?”