Dr Ho Seng Ong’s vignette of the NEW TEACHER, published more than 80 years ago, bears reflection in times like these.
‘HE MET his class for the first time in the new year.
At the end of the day, he said: Boys, listen and I will tell you how I have marked you. In this class, you are not marked on how well you have studied your lesson – that is fine – but you are given marks for the efforts you make in the building up of your character. I want you to grow up into fine manhood.
Ramasamy here has earned full marks today because he said, “Good morning, sir.” I would rather you learn good manners while you are in this school than that you learn by heart all the words of this dictionary.
To Ah Chong, I have given good marks because when he was asked who Stamford Raffles was, he answered, “I do not know.” Trying to hide your ignorance and pretending to know all about it, are responsible for many failures both at school and in the big wide world.
I have marked Isaac high, because he was the only one who asked the meaning of the word “obstreperous” which occurred in your lesson today. Asking questions is a sign of an alert mind. Only those who are asleep fail to ask questions, and so fail to grasp the lesson. Try to cultivate the inquiring mind, the desire to know the why and wherefore of the things you have to study.
Kasiipillai and Peng Kim have scored high marks because they had their hair brushed, their fingernails cleaned, and their coats fully buttoned. Generally the clean boy possesses a clean mind. Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
When Ah Nam heard that he was failed in his dictation paper, he did not sulk and pout, as others of you did. For that I have marked him high. Cheerfulness goes a long way, and I want you to learn that lesson in this class.
I have given Henry good marks because he kept his promise. Four others made promises during the day which they did not carry out. Remember that the best certificate you can ask for is that your word can be trusted. Therefore you want to begin learning that lesson today.
Ernest scored good marks because I see he is taking part in today’s literary programme. Yong Sim and Tsushima are marked high because they have both contributed articles to the School Magazine. Low Yoke organised the Junior League picnic so well and was so unselfish in his services that I have given him also high marks.
If you enter wholeheartedly into the life of your school – studying hard, playing the game, leading when responsibilities are placed on you, following loyally and cheerfully on all other occasions – you will be gaining experience such as will stand you in good stead when you leave school.
Now, boys, run away, for it is playtime! — MM, January 1927, page 7.
Earnest Lau, the Associate Editor of Methodist Message, is also the Archivist of The Methodist Church in Singapore.
