2/98              FOR MEMBERS ONLY               MARCH/APRIL 

The economic slow-down experienced by our country should be a cause of concern of everyone. As teachers, we definitely have our role to play. We cannot afford to be complacent, grousing over the unhappy state of affairs but not lending helping hands. It is at a time like this that we should think of whatever little efforts we can offer to help our country's economy recover. The attitude of leaving the so-called job to our nation's leaders tantamounts to not being responsible citizens.

The call by our Director General of Education to help our country face this crisis is indeed timely. By all means, we have to participate in this austerity drive.Strigent measures such as the need to save on water and electricity, etc. outlined by him should be heeded. The 'tidak apa' attitude inherent in some of us should by all means, be discarded; it is not uncommon for some of us to have this notion in us - well after all someone else is paying? On the other hand, question yourself, "Are you not feeling the pinch of the economic slow-down?" Dare you say you are not?

At the grassroots level, i.e. in the classroom, as teachers, we should also instill a sense of responsibility towards this matter in our students. To some students, the economic turmoil may have little impact on them. "After all, we still have our daily expenses, etc.," some of them may retort. It is this group of students who need our cautioning.There are many things we can suggest to our students. Among them are cutting down expenses on junk food, using of old exercise books which still have blank pages, etc. The list can go on. All these may seem trival to some, but mind you, they go a long way in instilling values in our students too. All too often, we have heard of this popular slogan by a president - "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." This should be manifested in our deeds!

Suffice to say that as teachers, we should continue to display a sense of real concern for our country by offering whatever help we can especially in such a bad time as this. So, teachers, hats off to you to those who may have already done so and are still doing their bit!

By Mary Ting

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