Teachers

Baba's thought for today.

" The teachers of tomorrow are the students of today"

It is truly distressing that Joanna Gilbert Anson who was accepted for a postgraduate course at the Teachers Training College Rajang was discriminated against when a senior official told her that she was too fat to become a teacher. In the New Straits Time dated October 21st, she claimed that the man told her" You are too fat. You can't possibly be a teacher. You look unhealthly, come back next year when you have slimmed down".

There are two main issues here. One pertains to the qualities of a good teacher and the other to discrimination on one's size and appearance. Is it fair for the officer to pass judgement based on the size and weight of the candidate? One wonders whether he is aware of what qualities or characteristics a good teacher should possess and whether one's weight has any bearing on a person's performance as a teacher. Any right minded person would be sensitive to such personal issues and the least he could do was to be empathatic instead of passing offensive, insensitive and unfounded statements. It is plain and simple that a good teacher is not measured in terms of her body weight!! It will be interesting to know what sort of disciplinary action will be taken by the college authorities for this dispicable behaviour of the senior officer.

And to Joanna, do not feel discouraged. You have the qualifications as well as the inherent qualities to be a good teacher. Do not give up your dream. This is just a minor obstacle. Look ahead, fight for your rights, see that justice is done and take steps to do the post graduate course. You will be a good teacher.

A teacher's role includes besides the imparting and facilitation of knowledge, the social aspect of instilling the right values, guidance in the development of leadership, teamwork and other life skills. Thus a teacher has the responsibility to be good role models for the future teachers and one's weight is definitely not a necessary pre -condition for achieving this.

Above are some beautiful pictures taken two weeks ago in Melborne.The picturesques scenes along the coastal road around Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento are really breathtaking. The azure blue waters reflecting different shades of blue add a certain mystic charm during this drive. We made a stop at Sorrento located at Mornington Peninsula, from where there is a car and passenger ferry service to Queenscliff on the other tip of the bay. Unfortunatley we had to forgo this experience of sailing through the bay and enjoying the view of the skyline of Melborne. But anyway Sorrento also has its own charm of historic buildings, quaint shops and interesting cafes. On the homeward journey we passed by Frankston, Rosebud and Dromana following the gentle sloping road from higher elevation of Arthur's Seat towards the coast of Phillip Bay. As Rosebud is a popular beach resort, the row of numerous little colourful beach huts is a unique sight here as can be seen in the first picture.