KUCHING: A group of passionate teachers are working hard to make a difference in the remote areas of Sarawak. Despite the challenges, their passion for educating rural students remains strong.
Bennath Jerry Larry, 25, Emelsha Jeburie Abol, 24, Ivy Ruvy Roland Katang, 31, and Susantie Tawai, are among the few teachers that help guide these students.
Each of them brings their own story and motivation to the profession, but they all share a deep commitment to their students and communities that they serve. Their decision to pursue teaching was influenced by their personal experience.
All sharing the same deep commitment to their students and communities that they serve, they each bring their own story and motivation to the profession.
The decision, for these teachers, to pursue teaching was influenced by their personal experience.
For Bennath, who teaches English at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ubong Imang, his inspiration stems from his belief in the power of education to change the world.
“Teaching is a high moral job, and I want to shape a generation that will lead the world,” he says.
His desire to make a difference, even though via small efforts drives his dedication.
Meanwhile, Emelsha, who teaches at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Genaan, sees education as her way out of hardship.
Her story is deeply connected in her own childhood struggles of coming from a poor family and staying in the rural area.
“I didn’t want to rely on others’ knowledge. I wanted to be independent,” she shared.
Her personal journey has inspired her to educate others and giving back to her community.
Ivy, a teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Song, her motivation is driven by the memory of her late father, who inspired her to excel in whatever she did.
“My father was the main reason I became a teacher. I want to teach my students the way he taught me,” she said
Her father’s wisdom continues to guide her as she mentors her own students.
On the other hand, Susantie, who is a Special Education teacher at the same school, was inspired by her high school teacher who became a role model in her life.
“My high school teacher was a great inspiration, and I wanted to be that kind of teacher for my students,” she said, remembering on the values and lessons she learned during her own school days.
Teaching in rural Sarawak is not an easy task but these educators meet the challenges head on.
Emelsha highlights that the common issues in rural areas schools and community are electricity, clean water, and internet connectivity.
Developments are slow in these areas, and that affects our school facilities,” she said, emphasising that these challenges require patience and persistence to overcome it.
Meanwhile, Bennath pin points the lack of modern facilities and technology in rural schools for educating purposes.
“There are the issue of network connectivity and the absence of modern gadgets,” he said.
Bennath also explains that there is a huge difference studying in the city and the rural areas because of the need to adapt accordingly to the situations.
“It’s a huge difference from the city, but we make do with what we have,” he added.
Ivy also faces her own challenges, particularly the difficult journey to school.
“The logging road is definitely not meant for ladies like me,” she said.
“But I got through it and even became a better driver! The journey is rough, but it’s also rewarding. I’ve discovered parts of Sarawak I never saw before and learned about the different cultures around my school.”
However, Susantie is one of the few who doesn’t seem to struggle with any challenges in her rural school teaching journey.
“For me, I don’t have any issues or challenges when teaching in this rural area,” she said.
Susantie’s positive experience of smooth sailing in her teaching journey stands as an inspiration itself.
Challenges aside, the sense of community and collaboration keeps these teachers motivated to keep on teaching.
According to Bennath, the attitudes towards education in the community that he has been teaching at are improving.
“People are starting to understand the importance of education, and the students are becoming more aware of their future,” he said.
On the other hand, Emelsha sees the value of the teamwork at her school.
“Every teacher mutually supports each other in getting students involved, both academically and in extracurricular activities,” she shared.
“I see a lot of potential in my students and the community.”
Sharing the same sentiment, Susantie is also proud of the local community attitude towards education.
“Right now, the students seem to enjoy their studies,” she said.
“That makes me glad and happy as a teacher. When they enjoy learning, it brings me joy to see them grow.”
Ivy too shares similar observation as Susantie.
“The students and the community know that education is vital for securing a better future for their children,” she said.
Despite the challenges, these teachers acknowledged that the state government’s efforts to support education in rural areas are there.
“The government has provided many initiatives and incentives to make sure rural students aren’t left behind,” Ivy said.
“They ensure our students have access to updated ways of learning and the necessary facilities.”
Emelsha and Bennath both feel supported by their colleagues and the larger educational community.
“I feel much supported, especially by other teachers who help me navigate education management and multi-tasking,” Emelsha said.
“I have a very welcoming and supportive colleagues at my school,” Bennath shares.
For these teachers, success is measured not just in terms of the results but also in the growth and achievement of their students.
Bennath fondly remembers his student’s getting second place in a district storytelling competition.
“Seeing my student gain confidence and achieve something was so rewarding,” he said.
For Ivy, her most memorable moments are when her students achieved excellent results in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam and progressing to their tertiary studies.
“For me, there is no greater success than seeing my students reach the tertiary level of education. Helping them succeed is the sweetest victory as a teacher,” Ivy said.
Susantie’s proudest achievement is when she coached her students to become successful athletes.
“Seeing them succeed in sports made me feel incredibly proud,” she said.
Meanwhile for Emelsha, she cherishes her involvement in a large-scale sports event involving schools across the Tatau/Sebauh district.
“I have better understanding about the type of management task, including the ethics, the rules of each sport. I hope I can get involve more in sport activities after this,” she said.
As Teacher’s Day is celebrated, these educators reflect on the importance of their roles and the value of being a teacher.
Bennath encourages his fellow teachers to remain passionate about their profession
“I hope more people will embrace teaching as a profession with sincere hearts,” he said
“It’s worth every drop of energy.”
Emelsha also emphasised the importance of loving one’s job.
“If we love our job as teachers, we will see better results and grow better every day,” she shared.
Meanwhile, Ivy’s message is one of gratitude for the teachers that inspire her.
“Today isn’t just for us but for all teachers. I want to thank my own teachers for making me who I am today,” she said.
“I hope someday one of my students will do the same.”
Susantie on the other hand, encourages her fellow educators to embrace empathy and patience.
“We need to spread positive energy, even on our bad days. That’s how we build strong relationships with students,” she said.
The stories of these four teachers, Bennath, Emelsha, Ivy and Susantie are reminders that the heart of teaching lies not just in imparting knowledge, but in inspiring students to be their best selves.
