‘Teachers are stupid...You don't learn anything in school. It's just a waste of time’...that is the expression made by the evergreen chess genius and the all time finest ever chess champion, the great Mr. Bobby Fischer (http://www.bobby-fischer.net/Bobby_Fischer_Articles4.html). In the first instance, that may sound a bit overboard but again, it came from the mouth of the well known legendary figure and surely he must have his own reason by saying that unwarranted line. Be as it may, I personally don’t agree with that phrase simply by reason of the ‘text book answer’ that I owe part of my success to all my teachers and again, out of respect to that noble and sacred profession.

I remember my high school time in SM All Saints way back in the late 80’s to early 90’s. I was one of those students regarded as the troublemakers by most of the teachers and students. Indeed, I admit that I may have directly or indirectly done some wrongdoings to the teachers and students in the school which I can’t specifically remember, if any. I really wish that I can extend my sincere apologies to all my teachers and my fellow SM All Saints friends for all sort of irritating conducts and in the name of Holy Teachers Day, I opted not write down any justification but offering my sincere apology instead. Having said all that, it is doesn’t need anyone to be a genius to conclude that I was and still am not in the teachers’ favourite list. Plus, I have never been in the best class before except during Form 4 and 5 where I was placed in the science stream class. In other words, I was just an ‘average Joe’ in the school cum troublemaker cum unofficial school joker. Sadly speaking, some teachers seem to have predicted what would these ‘average joe’ be in the future and I can only support this based on my own personal experience. One day, I met one of my high school teachers in front of the shophouses opposite SM All Saints school while on my way to ‘Seng Loong’ (our popular rendeszvouz) to meet most of my high school great friends. After the hello greeting, the teacher asked me what I am doing now. I answered shortly that I work in a legal firm business and she suddenly replied: ‘oh, so you work as a clerk in a legal firm. Good for you’. I just smiled and say ‘no, I am practising as a lawyer and a partner in that firm’. I remember she was having a kind of look…a sceptical smiling look and stressed her voice: ‘Are you sure?’ So I smiled back to her and say: ‘I guess so…’ followed with a light laugh. However, I don’t blame her for having such doubt since it was me who skipped her classes most of the time. Deep down, I thanked her for all her effort to make me a better man and regret the fact that it was my very own mistake not to make use of the opportunity to gain knowledge and the teachers’ love.

Back to being an ‘average Joe’ in high school, such stigma plays a very important role in student’s interest in studies and the school itself. Every morning whether you are in the best of your mood or otherwise, you will still have to accept the fact that you are the same ‘average joe’ once you enter the school’s gate. In other words, you still have to be in the class which is grouped and classified as an average or below average whereas the smart ones flocked among themselves. From that angle you can see the double standard element in our country’s education system. They grouped the smart kids together and give the best of attention as they were tipped to be best students in PMR (SRP then) and SPM scorers whereas those in the other average and below average classes were not given much hope (my personal view). But don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any personal dissatisfaction towards my friends and fellow students who happened to be in the best class as they deserved to be the best among us then. The main point is that our system and policy have the tendency to create a double standard perspective. It is not incredible to assume that an average student may carry out his/her entire life under the pretext that he/she is merely an average joe/jane and that would never change!!!.

Someone popped up this question to me sometime ago on why our education system still favour ‘segregation’ between the smart kids and the average joe/jane? Well, I don’t really know but I guess the system is designed that way so that the teachers’ works become easy in terms of the pace and mode of teachings i.e. an average joe is a bit slow compare to a smart kid and the latter’s ability to consume the subjects taught compare to the former. But personally speaking, in this modern world and sophisticated techniques, there must be some reforms in terms of holistic approach. The system as a whole must be ‘Berani Berubah’ to cater the comprehensive needs of the new ‘Generasi-Y’ and fulfilling the new ‘One Malaysia’ concept. First, they must be no more ‘segregation’ between the smart and the average. The school must instead introduce the ‘pairing system’ among the students in the class where the best student to be paired with the one in the last ranked (in sabah they call it ‘nombor uncit’). Under the ‘pairing system’ (some may regard it as ‘mentor’ and ‘mentee’ method), the smart one will guide the average or below average students academically whereas in return the latter may help the former in the co-curricular activities. In other words, the favour between the two is reciprocal. In the end, this approach may relieve the teachers’ burden and will create a more ‘happenings’ and friendly environment in total.

Further, this pairing approach could teach our young generation the sense of responsibility and belongings at the young age. Some people may argue that this method could unnecessarily place an excess baggage to the smart students and may cost them their chance to obtain a perfect score in PMR or SPM. No doubt it could be true in a way but the main question is what we really expect from our young ones? Merely obtaining the perfect score or having all the right qualities that even enable them to be a Prime Minister one day? Further, this approach may strengthen social integration among the students right from the tender age and they will remember that values irrespective of their races. I believe there are more pros and cons to be discussed on this matter. In the name of the Holy Teachers’ Day, it is desirable if the government can conduct a survey or research whether this ‘segregation’ policy really works in comprehensive manner, how the smart kids and average joe fare in their real life, feedbacks from teachers and parents regarding that system and other relevant matters.

Finally, I have to admit that there were times where I enjoyed more spending time with friends outside the class during my Form 4 and 5. I was then placed in the science class and mixed around with all my smart classmates. Can you imagine that from Form 1 to orm 3, I was sent to the average class and mixed around with all my other average joe friends. And I’ve gotten used to it. Thus, when I was given an honour to be in the same class with the other best and top students in my school, I felt a bit ‘shaky’ to be in the class. I felt like a small fish in a big pond and at the end, I was battling against my own confidence crisis. That was why I skipped classes and enjoyed more to be outside. By fluke or co-incidence, I managed somehow to just pass my SPM but the result way below the satisfying benchmark. Even though I am never in the teachers’ favourite students list, I understand. I really wish one fine day I can have them say to other people ‘Oh, he used to be my student before’ (not for the wrong reason, I hope) and with just that I will be more than a happy man.

So, my greatest idol Mr. Bobby Fischer when you say ‘teachers are stupid’, I beg to differ. It could be the system or the policy that sometimes people wrongly translate them into hating teachers. I know the teachers themselves are struggling and under pressures to make sure all his/her students excel in life not by simply scoring perfect A’s in the exams. To all my dedicated teachers and lecturers in SK Likas, SM All Saints, International Islamic University Malaysia and University of Leeds…Happy Holy and Sacred Teachers Day.