Got this from a blog, "random thoughts from a free thinker"; it was translated from a column in zaobao.
Summary of the column: It is the reflection of a principal/HOD, on meeting a new teacher freshly graduated from NIE, who refused to teach in a neighbourhood school and had immediately asked for a transfer after learning of the posting.
His excuse -- (which I find laughable) is because of his 'elite' background. "I am from XX Junior College, I would not be able to adapt to such an environment (with a lot of problem students)".
The principal/teacher, naturally, was shocked, and expressed that he "did not expect that a new teacher will despise them and avoid teaching them."
People like these give students who have had the privilege of studying in 'elite' schools a bad name.
Anyway, this is the translated text off his blog:
Hearing that a new teacher, recently graduated from NIE, will be posted to my school, I eagerly waited in my office for him, expecting to have a succesor who will share with me the noble mission of education.
Expecting him to be full of youthful drive and idealism since this was his first job, I immediately started to brief the new teacher about his job scope when he arrived. However, I realised that he was unusually quiet and expressionless. He slowly explained: "Sorry, I will be posted to another school in two days' time. I have already requested for a transfer from MOE; I am now awaiting the re-posting".
"Oh, I see!" I was greatly puzzled; why was he applying for a transfer when he have not even started work at the school?
He explained with great honesty: "When I received the notification that I will be posted to this school, I immediately went to apply for a transfer with the HR department. I have heard that neighbourhood schools, such as this school, have a lot of 'problem students'. I am from XX Junior College, I would not be able to adapt to such an environment".
A prestigious graduate of an elite school cannot teach in a neighbourhood school? I was greatly saddened for the sake of my neigbourhood school and for the sake of the many "problem students" under my charge. Admittedly, they are a misbehaving lot: fooling around during lessons, not handing in assignments, playing truant, getting into fights, smoking and even drug-taking; they are in greater need of education and rehabilitation. But I did not expect that a new teacher will despise them and avoid teaching them.
On the first day of school, being unable to get his request for a transfer approved, the new teacher still reported to work. This was what I expected! Barring you having "special connections", which employer will allow you to freely choose where you want to work at?
After a few days, he came to my office, dejectedly saying: "I am about to have a mental breakdown, I cannot tolerate the students' misbehaviour anymore. I want to quit, I do not want to fritter away my life, I do not mind contravening my contract and paying reparations..."
After my initial shock, I replied: "Young man, you are very fortunate to be able to enjoy being educated in 'elite' schools since young, to have a good family and schooling environment, to live in such a protected and happy environment and not come into contact with those from another socio-economic milieu. Before coming to this school, I was also unaware that Singapore has so many low income families which are struggling to survive. 60% of the students here have parents whom only have primary school education, 30% of them come from single-parent families; having a hard life, these children already have a bad starting point and live in a maladjusted environment, thus bringing all kinds of bad habits and problems to school. Hence, in order to bring them onto the correct path, we need to approach and teach them with greater love and patience".
At this point in time, an expression of doubt and shock was on the new teacher's face. I told him: "Go see a doctor and take a few days' break. When you have considered carefully and made a decision, then come and discuss with me".
Unfamiliar with the purpose of education and unaware of the hardships of being a teacher, this new teacher has entered into the world of teaching. Was this because he was attracted to the high salaries in the teaching service or was he unable to find another job due to the economic recession?
In the end, the new teacher did not resign. However, a year later, he was transferred to an "elite" school to teach a "gifted" class; perhaps "elites" are more compatible with "gifted" people. Yet, if every teacher was like him, who will educate the students in neighbourhood schools?
http://searchingforenlightenment.blogspot.com/
Summary of the column: It is the reflection of a principal/HOD, on meeting a new teacher freshly graduated from NIE, who refused to teach in a neighbourhood school and had immediately asked for a transfer after learning of the posting.
His excuse -- (which I find laughable) is because of his 'elite' background. "I am from XX Junior College, I would not be able to adapt to such an environment (with a lot of problem students)".
The principal/teacher, naturally, was shocked, and expressed that he "did not expect that a new teacher will despise them and avoid teaching them."
People like these give students who have had the privilege of studying in 'elite' schools a bad name.
Anyway, this is the translated text off his blog:
Hearing that a new teacher, recently graduated from NIE, will be posted to my school, I eagerly waited in my office for him, expecting to have a succesor who will share with me the noble mission of education.
Expecting him to be full of youthful drive and idealism since this was his first job, I immediately started to brief the new teacher about his job scope when he arrived. However, I realised that he was unusually quiet and expressionless. He slowly explained: "Sorry, I will be posted to another school in two days' time. I have already requested for a transfer from MOE; I am now awaiting the re-posting".
"Oh, I see!" I was greatly puzzled; why was he applying for a transfer when he have not even started work at the school?
He explained with great honesty: "When I received the notification that I will be posted to this school, I immediately went to apply for a transfer with the HR department. I have heard that neighbourhood schools, such as this school, have a lot of 'problem students'. I am from XX Junior College, I would not be able to adapt to such an environment".
A prestigious graduate of an elite school cannot teach in a neighbourhood school? I was greatly saddened for the sake of my neigbourhood school and for the sake of the many "problem students" under my charge. Admittedly, they are a misbehaving lot: fooling around during lessons, not handing in assignments, playing truant, getting into fights, smoking and even drug-taking; they are in greater need of education and rehabilitation. But I did not expect that a new teacher will despise them and avoid teaching them.
On the first day of school, being unable to get his request for a transfer approved, the new teacher still reported to work. This was what I expected! Barring you having "special connections", which employer will allow you to freely choose where you want to work at?
After a few days, he came to my office, dejectedly saying: "I am about to have a mental breakdown, I cannot tolerate the students' misbehaviour anymore. I want to quit, I do not want to fritter away my life, I do not mind contravening my contract and paying reparations..."
After my initial shock, I replied: "Young man, you are very fortunate to be able to enjoy being educated in 'elite' schools since young, to have a good family and schooling environment, to live in such a protected and happy environment and not come into contact with those from another socio-economic milieu. Before coming to this school, I was also unaware that Singapore has so many low income families which are struggling to survive. 60% of the students here have parents whom only have primary school education, 30% of them come from single-parent families; having a hard life, these children already have a bad starting point and live in a maladjusted environment, thus bringing all kinds of bad habits and problems to school. Hence, in order to bring them onto the correct path, we need to approach and teach them with greater love and patience".
At this point in time, an expression of doubt and shock was on the new teacher's face. I told him: "Go see a doctor and take a few days' break. When you have considered carefully and made a decision, then come and discuss with me".
Unfamiliar with the purpose of education and unaware of the hardships of being a teacher, this new teacher has entered into the world of teaching. Was this because he was attracted to the high salaries in the teaching service or was he unable to find another job due to the economic recession?
In the end, the new teacher did not resign. However, a year later, he was transferred to an "elite" school to teach a "gifted" class; perhaps "elites" are more compatible with "gifted" people. Yet, if every teacher was like him, who will educate the students in neighbourhood schools?
http://searchingforenlightenment.blogspot.com/
