This morning I collected my son's report card, as I had done it since 2006. I was told then that would be the best time to meet the class and subject teachers. I could ask anything about my son's academic performance and behaviour in class.
I believed that that would be awesome. It means that I could discuss and and maybe the teacher concerned and I could come out with an idea or two to help my son cope with his studies. That's what I thought. After meeting with the class teacher, I asked for the name of a particular teacher who taught my son for a particular subject that he did not do well in the exam.
'But, that teacher is an expert in that subject.' the class teacher told me with a conviction.
'Really?' I retorted with a smile.
So, I went to see that expert teacher and introduced myself and mentioned my son's name.
'Oh... your son could not focus in class and was a bit quiet.' the teacher explained the moment he heard my son's name.
After exchanging information, I decided to throw in an idea on how my son could participate more in class. My idea was rejected before I could explained further.
'You know En Rosman, I could not agree with you as I am afraid that other parents would accuse me of being biased.'
I was so frustrated as my idea was not accepted just because he was afraid that other parents would accuse him of being biased?
'Come on Cikgu... I thought today was the day that a parent like me can come and discuss ideas on how to help student improves on their studies. If other parents accepted their sons results and didn't want to do anything about it, it is their problem. As far as I am concerned, I want my son to improve and that's why I came out with this idea. But, since you are not willing to help, then I suggest you inform the headmistress to just give the report card to my son so I can sign the card at home.'
I vented my frustration to the class teacher later on. I wouldn't say that we had a fruitful conversation as I had to be stopped a few times. Just before I left, I said...
'If what is written in the report card is the testament to a teacher's performance in class, then it would be interesting. Don't you think so cikgu?'
When you judge me, it does not define who I am. It actually defines who YOU are. I am responsible for what I write and you are responsible for having a twisted mind.
Man,
ReplyDeleteyour son kat boarding school ka?
kalau tak,u hantar tuition saja.cik gu kat tuition class more accomodative...kat skolah,cikgu snob...
tak da lah bang. ni kisah masa dia darjah 1.
ReplyDeleteman ni suka tulis sejarah
ReplyDeleteDolu2 masa skolah rendah, saya selalu dapat A mata pelajaran Tawarikh.
Deletewell said. I will collect my youngest kid's report card this 22nd and her older sister's is probably "next, next week".... The last time we went, we were a bit disappointed too but the fact is everything lies in our own hands -- the parents. The particular teacher she had just wrote and wrote on the board and not really TEACH! So the rest of the class just relied on tution teachers. These few bad apples gave teachers and the teaching profession a bad name. They should be kicked out, I believe :-( . Reward the good ones...
ReplyDeleteBut we need these kind of teachers so that we have something to complaint about. Hehehe.
Delete