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Tuesday January 15, 2008

A teacher affects eternity

I REFER to Students can appeal for re-admission to old schools and a letter by a Form Four student, Unfair to bar students from picking subjects in The Star, Jan 14.

How could some headmasters or teachers stoop so low? To ensure a continuing so-called “academic excellence” in their schools, they transfer students scoring fewer than 6As in the PMR examination to other schools or even bar “fewer As” students from picking their subjects for their SPM.

What a shame! It’s a blot on the reputation of the teaching profession. Even a Form Four student knows it’s utterly wrong.

At PMR level, the number of As does not fully portray a student’s real potential.

Students excel in their studies when they are able to gravitate towards their favourite subjects. When you take away their interests, you are robbing them of their avenues to showcase their academic abilities.

And please don’t rue the misses when those transferred may turn out to be among the top scorers in the SPM or STPM, in other schools, later.

This is because some students are late bloomers. Given the right subjects, guidance and school environment, they might blossom into high-achievers.

“A teacher affects eternity – he can never tell where his influence stops”, said US historian Henry B. Adams.

Let me say that teachers should help identify and realise their students’ talents and abilities, not merely churn out many As.

AU YEONG HOW,
Kuala Lumpur.

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