SK Ketabuan, Sabah, East Malaysia

From Sandakan it's a combination of car and boat ride to reach the island school. Teachers posted there are on a 3-year stint. Cikgu Farhana on the way to the island to meet new challenges.

When heavy rains coincide with high tides, the school compound gets flooded.

This is the reason why the teachers are here: to give the island's kids a good education so that they'll not be left behind.

The school staff with guru besar (headmaster): These are the professionals who have to sacrifice a lot for the sake of the children. Cikgu Farhana tells me four new teachers from West Malaysia have joined the school.

School website: http://sktetabuan.ppdbeluran.com

Images: Courtesy of Cikgu Farhana

Sekolah Kebangsaan Tetabuan Beluran, Sabah, East Malaysia

Sekolah Kebangsaan Tetabuan Beluran: An island school off Sandakan in Sabah

While in Sandakan, I was privileged to make the acquaintance of  Cikgu Farhana who teaches in this school. She was posted  here from Muar, and has to serve for three years.  She gave me an interesting account of life on the remote island teaching Bajau kids.

This is the school canteen.

 

Cikgu Farhana and a friend from Finland who helped out in the school briefly.

From Sandakan, she has to travel for an hour or so and then hop onto a boat to reach the island school. Being remote and isolated, you can imagine the hardship and sacrifices teachers and the headmaster have to endure. But their primary concern is to give the kids a good education.

Students returning home.

School starts as early as 7 AM. Like kids in most rural communtities, they lead a carefree life.

Note: Images courtesy of Cikgu Farhana.

SMK Bario, Kelabit Highlands

Bario Secondary School. Teachers live in the quarters provided.

Polite and well-behaved students doing their English homework.

An ideal spot for a school.

Whenever I've the chance I'd visit the local schools. SMK Bario is a secondary school situated at a scenic part of Bario. Thanks to the hospitality of the principal and teachers we could roam around the school premises. Terima kasih.

SJK (C), Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

Photos: Children from SJK(C), Brinchang. Spot the Malay, Indian and Orang Asli kids who are fluent in Mandarin.


To: The Headmaster/Principal
SJK (C), Brinchang

Dear Sir

About a week ago while looking around Brinchang, I spotted your school and went in to have a look (sorry, without your permission).

Your school may not look very modern but I simply love it. Your students were wonderful and friendly.

I was surprised to learn that Malay, Indian and Orang Asli kids are learning Chinese at your school. I spoke to them in Mandarin and they impressed me with their fluency in the language. I congratulate your teachers for this great achievement.

I have not been able to find your e-mail address to send you the pictures of your students as promised. I hope if you come across this message you'll let them know how pleased I was meeting them. Thank you.

Roger
Singapore

PS: I visit CH regularly and on my next visit may I drop by your school again? xie xie