test of fire

they are not interested in learning.
they don't care about the materials presented during lecture.
and they certainly have no clear idea why they are sitting in the lecture hall.

well, this is the group i am facing today. perhaps, i shouldn't blame them. after all, they are the product of our national education system. six in primary and another five in secondary, eleven years in total of conditioning. i guess the long years wipe out any trace of curiosity in them. growing up in a relatively comfort environment compounded the mindset further.

i am into my week ten of my lecture now. my message to them is very simple. at this level (tertiary) you must be responsible for your own learning. you cannot just wait and expect to be spoon fed. it does not work that way.

independent learning is critical. unless you develop this skills, you are not going to survive in our knowledge economy today. but some, or most, insist on retaining their status as idiots. flatly and politely refused my arguments. one word sums up my feeling now - frustration.

this is the third semester i am teaching year one students. i tried twice, and failed twice. this is the third attempt. i don't think my chances are good, with another four weeks to go. what to do?

i think over and over again - how can i get them to be interested in their study? how can i get them to take their study seriously? how can i make them understand that what they do, or don't do, today will have a significant impact on their life later on? i have a few options...

option one
continue to play mr nice guy, tell jokes in lecture, encourage them to prepare for tutorials and persuade and sweet talk them like little kids for the rest of the weeks.

option two
play mr cool. no more jokes. everything is business as usual. and no more encouragement or stories. just deliver my lectures in a businesslike, no nonsense, tone. no reprimanding them for not doing their work.

option three
have a grand sale. mark the entire class down. give the top student a 'C', and proceed to fail one third of the class. having done that, fail them again in their resits. that way will make them sit up. in times like this, there is little choice but to execute great compassion for my students. great compassion is also called ruthless compassion.

well, i expect some to hate me. it doesn't matter. after all, this is not a popularity contest. teachers are entrusted by the parents to educate their kids. and this is what we should do. if they hate it, so be it. after all, good medicine are usually bitter.

i just love the verse that said 'Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire will make fine steel.'



Respected Teacher,

My son will have to learn I know that all men are not just, all men are not true.
But teach him also that for ever scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
It will take time, I know; but teach him, if you can,
that a dollar earned is far more valuable than five found.

Teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning.
Steer him away from envy, if you can.
Teach him the secret of quite laughter.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to tick.
Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books
but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery
of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on a green hill-side.

In school teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if every one tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd
when every one is getting on the bandwagon.

Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad.
Teach him there is no shame in tears.

Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders;
but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob…
and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself
because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order; but see what you can do.
He is such a fine little fellow, my son.


Abraham Lincoln.