YOURSAY | One teacher succeeding where govt failed

YOURSAY | ‘I bow my head in respect for such selfless individuals.’

The teacher who brings tech into rural Tamil classrooms and beyond

Dr Raman Letchumanan: Wow! What an achievement. The best Malaysianskini I have seen so far, considering the circumstances and contributions.

Imagine our government actually spends hundreds of millions on national schools, religious schools, consultants, government-linked companies, and ICT companies to modernise and digitalise our schools.

Compare that to what this one person from a deprived upbringing has done on a meagre teacher's salary.

I like her style of teaching. When students ask questions, she sometimes admits she doesn't know and tells them where to look for answers. Isn't that true learning?

To think it took Malaysiakini to expose this success story. What was the Education Ministry doing when others all over the world were tapping into her talents, especially when students in Malaysia were clamouring for online learning facilities during the pandemic?

My advice to S Premalatha - don't pursue your future with the government. They will be jealous and try to bring you down. Getting their scholarship, even if you are successful, is the worst thing.

With your achievements, top-rated universities/firms will queue up for you. Even Google itself. You will contribute more from the outside and your personal development will not be hindered.

Take it from me who has undergone the same. I resigned in disgust and left the service after 20 years, losing my pension and benefits. I am most happy I made that difficult decision then.

Dr Suresh Kumar: Lately, I have been reading many success stories of Tamil school students' achievements in science, maths, debates, quizzes, and other projects, not only at the national level but on the international stage as well.

Without dedicated teachers like Premalatha and others, this would not have been possible. I bow my head in high respect for such selfless individuals.

What should be the duty of the government is being done by teachers with a meagre salary. Now, that is what I call passion and dedication. We must support them instead of talking about unimportant issues.

It's an extremely daunting task to teach students from a poverty-stricken community using the latest technologies and gadgets due to a lack of funds but teachers like Premalatha have shown that, with dedication and passion, it can be done.

Bravo dear Premalatha, keep up the good work. I am very proud of you indeed. Help and guide other teachers to achieve the same results. You are indeed a gem.

My sincere advice is please do not apply to do your PhD funded by the government. Even if you are offered one, decline it, as you will be beholden to them and you can say goodbye to returning to SJK(T) Ladang Krian.

Instead, try applying to other academic organisations, as Dr Raman mentioned. Google should be more than happy to sponsor individuals like you. I wish you great success in all your future endeavours.

Fair Minded Senior Citizen: Indeed, a heart-warming and inspiring journey - an unselfish and humble approach to do her best for her students and the school.

Premalatha, you are a person of vision and your attempt at a PhD will not be in vain. You will succeed as your success is your students’ success. More people like you will do a lot for our moribund education system.

ScarletShark1551: We have read of many successful people from top urban schools. Those schools have all the facilities and expertise of senior teachers.

Well, Premalata, I salute you for your achievements in a rural Tamil school. Good teachers should be posted to rural schools where they are needed.

OCT: This is about pure guts and determination. Nothing can stop success if you have the will and mind to do it. Premalata shows that despite the difficulties and lack of facilities, she has the desire to make her task a success.

Premalata won't achieve success if she does not have a good command of English but sticks to only BM. Premalata won't achieve success if she prefers to prepare for the next life instead of learning and teaching in the current one.

A good teacher she is. The ability to make a difference for her students and her colleagues matters most. Knowledge is wealth. It stays with you throughout your life. Nobody can take it away from you.

Sad to say, most Malaysians has adopted the ‘tongkat’ (crutch). Don't depend on the ‘tongkat’ as it doesn’t help your career but destroys your desire to be successful.

‘Tongkat’ means you are always under the control of someone. It destroys your life. Keep on learning.

All Things Considered: Premalatha is the 'Raatchasi' of Malaysia. Please watch this Tamil movie that former education minister Maszlee Malik talked about.

I am so proud of her and what a heart-warming story from Malaysiakini. She is a beacon of pride for the downtrodden Indian community where she has come from and has gone on to achieve international accolades.

And in all these accolades she has received, there is nothing from the Malaysian education minister or the ministry because she is not from the privileged race. This is the sad story of Malaysia.

Premalatha should be so proud of herself and also her students who also come from the poor section of the community but have shown the tenacity to pick up technology despite the many constraints they face in their daily life. Syabas to Premalatha and her students.

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