Congratulations, PMR Students!

Today, PMR students will know the fruit of their labour for nearly three years of studying, whether they pass or fail, whether to smile or to cry, whether to bloat in front of their friends or to cloak their face in shame. My brother obtained 5As much to my surprise as he is playing a lot and I don't recall a time when I see him studying. While my sister-in-law obtained 4As even though she studied a lot. Maybe some of you will say that this is unfair to the latter, but it is truly not the case. Even though we work effortlessly, it is not the only reason for our success. There are other causes which we have to take a look closely. For example, a lot of studying without understanding what you study is not good, comparing to studying a little but you understand it fully. Moreover, as Muslims, we must believe that there is also the case of fate, of rizq. You can work all you want, but if you are not entitled for success this time around, you must accept it. Maybe your fate will be better in SPM, who knows?

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

What the heck is that? Well, the first time I encounter this word is when I finished my quest, I mean, my game of Bookworm Adventure Deluxe, when the hero (a bookworm named Lex, of course!) throws his final attack to the enemy's boss to save the Great Library from destruction. Initially, I thought that it is a made up word, the hero being using weird words throughout the game. However, accidentally I bumped into this article when I read my New Straits Times, (actually, my younger brother did before me, and being with me all the time fighting the enemies he told me about this article. I admit when I read newspapers, I will go from back page because of the sports) today. The word is clearly mentioned with its meaning. So, seriously, how many of you know that many words you think you know? Well, according to the article, there are already 999,999 words in English language, and the millionth word will be submitted in April 2009. The reason for this? English language does not have the equivalent of Malay language's Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka (DBP) to monitor its development. Thus, it can accommodate or transform many other words from other languages to its vocabulary.

As for the game itself, I will give it a rating of 5/5 as an English teacher!

'I-DUL ADHA MUBARAK!

Greetings to all Muslims with the hope of prosperity and happiness. Although, I was not that happy today as my son was down with fever. We spent the morning sponging him to bring down the temparature. Alhamdulillah, after repeated sponging + giving him medicine every 4 hours, he cooled down. Nevertheless, we managed to visit my wife's aunt before returning home an hour later. No socializing today because my mind was preoccupied with this event as it is the first time he ever had a fever. It was so sad seeing him crying, which is alien to his characteristics. I hope that this can be a very helpful experience for future reference.

Some reference which I read on how to face fever for your kids.

http://www.mymomsbest.com/dealing-with-high-fever-fits-cough-cold-watery-stools.htm
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/504.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/fever.html

Freak Accident in Kuala Krai

I was on my way to Gua Musang to fulfill my in-holiday task which was assigned by the principal for every teachers when I witnessed an accident at Sg. Sam between a Toyota Unser and a Mutiara bus which killed four members of Perbadanan Perpustakaan Negeri Kelantan (PPAK). All four of them died on the spot because of severe injury and were still lying on the road when I passed by the accident venue. My wife and son did not dare to take a look as I watched the bodies covered with the black sheet lying side by side on the road. It is said that the Unser tried to overtake two cars on the downhill road and could not get back into its lane before colliding head on with the oncoming bus. All of the passengers and the drivers of the bus who were heading to Kuala Lumpur were unhurt. In sadness, I recited al-Fatihah and reminded myself to always recite a prayer before driving my car.

Read also Kosmo!, Sinar Harian and Berita Harian online on this tragedy.

Holiday with My Family

I just came back from KL. Even though it was raining everyday in Kelantan, especially in Kota Bharu, there was no rain in KL. I stayed at my cousin's house in Bandar Baru Bangi after picking my wife from UKM. We managed to go to Nilai 3, Sunway Pyramid, Sogo, and Pertama Complex. We also visited relatives in Semenyih, Bukit Antarabangsa and also Taman Melawati. Below are some pictures taken during the holiday:

Nilai 3, a shopping paradise

In front of the Sunway Pyramid

The Sunway Sphinx

Be Careful on your Long Travel

Tomorrow I will travel to Kuala Lumpur with my family. As usual, preparations must be made before embarking on a long journey to ensure you and your family's safety. Oil must be changed, tyres checked, brake tried etc. This holiday will be a test considering that the monsoon season already started. It was non-stop raining for the past two days in Kota Bharu, and travelling in the rain always has some difficulties. Hopefully we arrive there safely.

Red marks indicate the missing pieces

Holiday Hobby

Finally, I have the time to (nearly) complete Naruto jigsaw puzzle for my brother-in-law. However, two pieces are missing so the puzzle is not finished yet. I will leave it for him to finish it by himself, after he finds the missing pieces. Jigsaw puzzling was one of my favourite hobbies when I was a little kid still in primary school. Back then, I could finish 1000-pieces-jigsaw puzzle within a day. Nowadays, I can only focused on it during the holidays only.

Congratulations UPSR Students!

Today, the UPSR results are out. It is also the judgment day for teaching Science and Mathematics in English. In Kelantan, 11.41% of the total number of candidates (37,949 pupils) scored straight As, while the average pass percentage is 66.78%. Both SK Zainab II and I top the standing, and the Kota Bharu district has the most scorers with 1,596 pupils, Pasir Mas (599), Tumpat (412), Tanah Merah (338), Bachok (337), Pasir Puteh (350), Machang (249), Jeli (98) and Gua Musang (77). Congratulations also to my brother-in-law (picture right) for his 5As, and even though I did not promise him anything beforehand, maybe I will give something out of appreciation.

On the other hand, the Star reported that Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said that nearly 50% of the total number of candidates throughout the country answered the Science and Mathematics paper entirely in English. “The 518,616 pupils who sat for the UPSR this year are the first group to have started studying the two subjects in English since the policy was introduced in 2003,” he told a press conference Thursday after giving an analysis of the UPSR 2008 results at the ministry. The ministry then will discuss the matter before bringing it the cabinet for a decision.

Smart School Qualification Standards System

Smart School Qualification Standards (SSQS)

The Ministry has develop a system to monitor the usage of ICT in schools, and to give a rating for the school in order to determine its standard in using the ICT. The information will be gathered from 64 respondents consisting of teachers and students about the extent of their usage of ICT equipments in school such as the computers, the Internet connection and also the Lesson Contents Management System (LCMS). As the teacher responsible for ICT, I was assigned to complete the task. At first, it was so hard to send the information in the system because of the traffic congestion to access the website. Finally, with the alternative address available, I managed to finish the job.

Good Luck for All SPMians

Today is the start of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. Around 150 students from 5 classes, 1 of which is a science class, will know whether they have enough knowledge to pass this examination. However, the students are not the only one who feel the pressure, but also the teachers who want to upgrade the achievement from last year. Our main target is to be the best secondary school in the district of Gua Musang, although the passing percentage of Bahasa Melayu is quite a concern. Nevertheless, only 28 students from 147 form 5 students are Chinese, 2 of them Indians, 1 Siamese and 1 Aborigine. The SPM trial results are quite convincing, but the real test starts tomorrow, and the students have to prove themselves all over again. Good luck everybody, and make your school proud!

Deeparaya for RIMUP

Today we had Deeparaya celebration at the canteen. It was a programme organized by our Rukun Negara Club in conjunction with the Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN) or National Unity and Integrational Department, Kelantan. It was officiated by the director of JPNIN Kelantan, Mr. Abdul Hadi bin Mohd Salleh. After his speech, the Indian and aboriginal students performed several Indian dances with the help of music. Finally, all were invited for some refreshment. Below are several pictures from the event.

Multi-racial teachers

An Indian student performing a dance routine

Student performers

Some refreshment for all

Me and my mentee, Nur Nasuha

Mentor - Mentee

I was assigned as a mentor for 5 KRK students (Forms 1, 2 and 3 Teguh) along with my colleague, Mr. Husaini. We both agreed that he took the form 1 students because he teaches them, and I took the rest. Basically, we just give advices and help them in their studies. I find it an interesting task, and I help them as best as I can. My mentee of form 3 students are Nur Nasuha and Izwan Shafiq, while the form 2 student is Nur Adlina. I lend my books for the PMR students, and I wish the best for them in their examinations. Speaking of PMR, I enclose the picture of our school target student, Siti Nur Karimah.

PTK

I registered for Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) for the first time today. There will be 4 competency levels which I have to strive for, and 20 papers which I can choose from. For starters, I will take paper 701/01 and 701/27. The papers are (sorry, not translated):

Part I : Kompetensi Umum
701/01 : Kompetensi Umum (Teras dan Profesional)

Part II : Kompetensi Khusus
701/02 : Pengurusan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran
701/03 : Pengurusan Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran (Pendidikan Khas)
701/04 : Pengurusan Pentadbiran Umum
701/05 : Pengurusan Kurikulum
701/06 : Pengurusan Peperiksaan
701/07 : Pengurusan Perancangan dan Penyelidikan Dasar Pendidikan
701/08 : Pengurusan Pengambilan Pelajar
701/10 : Pengurusan Kokurikulum
701/11 : Pengurusan Penaziran
701/12 : Pengurusan Hal Ehwal Pelajar
701/13 : Pengurusan Pendidikan Sukan
701/14 : Pengurusan Bimbingan dan Kaunseling
701/15 : Pengurusan bagi Pensyarah Maktab dan Kolej Matrikulasi
701/16 : Pengurusan Buku Teks
701/17 : Pengurusan Pendidikan Swasta
701/18 : Pengurusan Pentadbiran Pendidikan Khas
701/26 : Pengurusan Penerbitan Rancangan TV dan Radio Pendidikan

701/27 : Pengurusan Pembangunan Perisian Kursus Pendidikan dan Pengurusan Teknologi Maklumat dalam Pendidikan

701/28 : Pengurusan Perkhidmatan Sumber Pendidikan
701/29 : Pengurusan Latihan Institut Aminuddin Baki (IAB)

You can clearly see the scratch mark

Student's Revenge?

Several of the teachers' cars were scratched yesterday by a dissatisfied student. It seemed that this damage was an act of revenge either towards the discipline teacher, or towards the Penolong Kanan HEM, who both did a great job of keeping the disciplinary problems in the school at bay. Unfortunately, other teachers' cars were the victims as the perpetrator rolled his way along the parking lot. Among the cars involved were Produa MyVi, Proton Waja, Proton Satria and Toyota Vios. The culprit, who is still to be caught, might be feeling unhappy with the punishment he got for the crime he committed earlier. It was a selfish act from a disgruntled person which should not be tolerated.

Examination Weeks

These two final weeks, form 1, form 2 and form 4 students will test the extent of their knowledge accumulated throughout the year. This is where they will know whether they really mastered the subjects or still have to make improvements. It is also a tool to measure their class placements for next year, whether they will remain in the same class, or they will be upgraded (or downgraded) to another class. Teachers will have to take their marks to make next year's 'take-off value'.

Post PMR Programmes

I just sent my sister-in-law to the train station. She was going to KL with her school contingent for a trip specially made for PMR students. It is good actually that the school prepared such programmes to fill in for the PMR students so that they will do something beneficial after their PMR examination. However, it should be carefully planned and not a lazy fill in just because the school was forced to do it.

My school conducted some programmes such as ICT courses (some of these form 3 students never had a chance to properly been introduced to computers because ICT classes started just this year at my school), games and video viewing. Some of them also filled in forms to go to the technique school (sekolah teknik) while others thinking of remaining at the school for next year. School targets are those in Form 3 Teguh because they are in the target class (Kelas Rancangan Khas or KRK) - 24 students in total. However, not all are expected to get all As, as school history showed only 2 students managed to get it in the past. They are Fatiha bt Mahmood (8As in 2004 - picture left) and Marhelia bt Alias (8As in 2005 - picture right). I wish you all the best of luck!

Hari Raya Celebrations

Today, I got 7 invitations for Hari Raya celebrations. I did not want to disappoint any of them, so I tried to go to all the classes that invited me. I started with Form 2 Proaktif eating 3 sticks of satay. Then, I visited 2 Iltizam and took a plate of chicken rice. After that, I went to 2 Sejahtera to eat some Roti Jala before going to 2 Teguh for another 3 sticks of satay. On the way to go back to the staff room, I stopped by 1 Teguh just to eat 2 pieces of kuih, because it was not in my original invitations. Then, I rested in the staff room before continuing my eating spree at 3 Teguh by taking a plate of Karimah's spaghetti. Finally, I dragged my stomach to 1 Tekun and ate a couple of bread with chicken sauce. For 1 Proaktif, I apologize because when I went there all were already packed.

Teaching English to Aboriginal Students

Today, I taught English to aboriginal students during extra class. I decided to do a lesson on vocabulary building, because theirs are very poor. Basically, I taught them how to find meanings of certain words in the dictionary. I gave them a worksheet consists of pictures with English words, and I asked them to find their meanings in Malay language. I found that some of them could do it fast enough, while others were very slow.

What Happens to Our Children Nowadays?

Our children are not what they are supposed to be anymore. Gangsterism, vandalism, band-worshiping, fighting, etc. are common, even in a rural school in Gua Musang. We just heard about how two female students kicked and punched their teacher in front of the whole class, while one of them took out a phone and took a video. A teacher's job become more demanding each day, apart from the routine teaching and administrative works, he/she has to be a disciplinarian. I doubt that all teachers in teacher's training courses learn martial arts, as it is a very useful tools to handle (or to protect themselves?) these problems. Nor more 'Yes, teacher' type of students, but more of a 'I will sue you for all your money's worth' type of students. Even the support of their parents do not help matters, they just go about their work without getting to know what their children do at school everyday. Some of them do not bother to come when summoned by the principal, and it makes matters worst.

School Access Centre

School Access Centre (SAC) is a cyber cafe in a school compound, designed to enable students to access the Internet without having to spend valuable money at cyber cafes outside the school. It is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, and for now, only a handful of schools received this generous investment by the ministry. My school is among the fortunate ones, and it is functioning well for the students' benefit. Moreover, I assigned students as committees to take care of the SAC, and it is a good opportunity for them to learn about responsibilities. I am not worried about the contents of the Internet available to the students though, as it is filtered by the Schoolnet system. Apart from that, students are given the chance to relax themselves after a hard day of study by listening to the music while they are surfing, or sending e-mails, or whatever they do.

The SAC committee members, Nabilah and Ain

Gua Musang now has CELCOM 3G!

Good news for Gua Musang residents (especially me!) as my broadband modem turns from green to blue light. It started approximately a week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year (2008). I hope it stays that way for the rest of my stay in the district (not planning of moving in the near future, though). It was false dawn at Tanah Merah (my in-laws' residence) during last election, when I enjoyed UMTS connection for only about a week, as it turned back to GPRS after the election. However, the district also has Celcom 3G connection now, and I'm not complaining.

Good Luck, PMRians

Today, Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination starts throughout Malaysia. I wish all those involved good luck in your examination, including my brother Mohd. Harith (picture left) and my sister-in-law Noramni (picture right). Hope that all of you will pass with flying colours. Eventhough this examination is not the only key to your success in life, it is surely the first stop where you can build your life on. I was among the first batch of PMRians, at its inception way back in 1993.

SK Lepan Jaya, Gua Musang

Teacher and In-Service Training

Last week, I went to a Web Page maker course at SK Lepan Jaya, Gua Musang. It is a beautiful school situated 15 kilometres from the Gua Musang city. This is only one of the many trainings I was involved with this year. Every teacher nowadays has to complete at least 7 days in-service training in a year. This is to ensure their development in many aspects of their teaching profession. However, not all teachers have the privilage to find at least 7 days of trainings, even throughout a year span, especially the female teachers. Even the male teachers will find it difficult to complete this requirement. Nevertheless, in theory it can be done, as long as the school itself is willing to conduct trainings for these teachers who just go about their routines from classroom to classroom. Trainings can range from a lesson in Microsoft Excel to harder tasks such as handling a database. Even a training on how to keep a file can be useful for the betterment of their service.

Teachers are Disciplinarian

Are you a discipline teacher? Are you responsible for disciplinary problems in your school? If your answer for the first question is 'No', it is acceptable because you are maybe an IT teacher or a teacher responsible for examinations. However, if your answer for the second question is also a 'No', you are absolutely wrong. Teachers are born to be a disciplinarian. They don''t have to get a title of a 'Discipline Teacher' to correct those students who committed the offenses. They can punish them accordingly or just send them to the discipline teacher, if their offenses are too serious. Either way, those students should not be let off the hook for their crimes, or they will think that there is nothing wrong with it. Among popular sins committed by students (my school included!) are fighting, bullying, skipping classes and the most popular, smoking. Almost everyday students smoke in the toilet, and they do not afraid of getting caught. It is as though smoking is not a crime, as their father and family members smoke at home. School is a non-smoking place, be it for students or teachers alike. Therefore, in order for the teachers to curb smoking among students, they must also not smoke in the school area. This is not the case, however, because we can find that teachers openly smoke, especially at the canteen.

Teachers and Extra Tasks

I've been an inactive blogger for 2 years now, during which there have been so many things happened since the last time I logged in. 2 and a half years at SMKTIP(2) happen so fast, with so many interesting memories now residing in the 'memory section' of my brain. Throughout the colourful years, I taught mainly English Language for lower secondary students. Nowadays, I am given the task to introduce these students to the Information and Computer Technology, or ICT. It is a challenging subject, so to speak, because I am not an IT graduate. But, I try to do it as best as I can, for it is my duty to adhere to the task given. On the contrary, what have been happening all these years are teachers withholding their abilities and skills just not to burden themselves with extra works, be it academically or in extra curricular activities. Although they have the knowledge in accounting, for example, they prefer to keep quiet and go on teaching lower secondary mathematics. Some of them have the expertise in English debating, to cite an extra curricular activity, but they have the heart to let an inexperience Geography teacher to guide the debate students who are going to represent the school. As in my case, I pay the price for revealing most of my abilities, as I am given many tasks by the school authorities. Even though I do not regard it as a burden, but time constraints restrict the percentage of what I can accomplish compared to distributing these tasks among the others. The principal and his administrative staffs do not know what you can do unless you offer yourself to do the task. And even though you do not have the skills to do that particular job, you can always learn from those who know, in order to upgrade yourself to another level.