TO foster genuine care for one’s job, there must first be a sense of belonging.
Pay hikes and other incentives may make one feel good and happy for a fleeting moment, inspiring the person to perform his or her duties well.
However, once the euphoria fades, old habits often resurface – as the saying goes, “Old habits die hard.”
In school, a sense of belonging plays a crucial role in the quality and output of a teacher’s work.
I would like to share two examples to illustrate my views.
At the school where I held an administrative post, Jansi was the one entrusted with leading the afternoon session.
As a senior and experienced teacher, she exuded a motherly and caring disposition towards the Forms One and Two students.
What stood out most about her was her dedication – she was always the last to leave the school compound when school was dismissed for the day. She made sure all students and teachers had left before her.
That was how much she felt a sense of belonging for the school and the children under her care.
Then, there was my colleague Ng S.C., who was the head of the academic division at SMK Pulau Ketam.
The school was like a second home to him. Even though he was from Klang, he made it a point to stay in Pulau Ketam during the week, returning home only on weekends.
Many teachers posted to Pulau Ketam would commute between Klang and the island on a daily basis, but not Ng.
As the senior assistant, Ng displayed a strong sense of belonging to both the school and the students. He even used his spare time to give extra Moral and Mandarin lessons to students. Such was his dedication and commitment to the school!
Thus, I reiterate that teachers should embrace their roles with a sense of belonging so that they can perform to the best of their abilities. Additionally, always be grateful for the privilege of having a job to go to each morning.
Without this sense of gratitude, the same patterns will persist: those with a sense of belonging will continue to excel, while those without it will remain the “rotten apples” in the basket.
Ultimately, it all comes down to self-reflection. Look in the mirror and commit to making a change. Let this be a moment of self-realisation.
THIAGAN MATHIAPARANAM
Klang
