Commentary by Mustafa K Anuar 

ON Teacher’s Day yesterday, it was reported that a teacher punched a student in the face for having worn a Baju Melayu to a Raya gathering at the school. Hardly a good start to an otherwise joyful and memorable day. 

At another school, students were reportedly invited to wear their traditional costumes for its Raya and Teacher’s Day celebrations. 

The snag is, a strict dress code was imposed on the students so that, for instance, sarees were disallowed “due to hot weather” and cheongsams must fall below the knee and be worn with leggings or slacks. 

These incidents, if true, should not be easily dismissed as isolated cases as they have serious implications for students, ethical principles, and most of all, the teaching profession as a whole. 

In the first case above, the teacher should have used reasoning instead of resorting to physical violence. Such behaviour is very much at variance with the notion of a civilised form of education. 

The second case indicates an infringement of the students’ right to wear their traditional attire without being tampered with by moral judgement of the teachers concerned, which does not sit well with the students’ traditions and cultural values. 

Such moralising is socially divisive and demonstrates a cultural inclusiveness that is painfully superficial. It is a mockery of Malaysia Madani that supposedly promotes inclusivity. 

But more importantly, teachers of such negative behaviour are not good role models for students to emulate. Students, especially those in their impressionable years, look up to teachers because of their qualities, educational achievements, and attitudes. 

Bear in mind that teachers are expected to not only convey the necessary knowledge and values, but also provide support and encouragement that will help students grow up to be open-minded, critical-thinking and successful adults. 

According to the Education Ministry’s website, there are 117,312 male teachers and 295,396 female teachers serving the educational needs of 5,061,605 students at primary and secondary levels nationwide.  

In other words, a total of 412,708 teachers are expected to provide a conducive environment and intellectual stimulation for these students in the hope that the latter would eventually become productive citizens. 

Teachers are supposedly a fountain of inspiration who would help to harness the full potential of their charges for the benefit of society as a whole. 

That is no mean feat, as it often demands sacrifices in terms of time, energy, and material resources. At times, it may even adversely affect the teachers’ career path or position. 

In contrast, racial bigotry, religious extremism, misogyny, and other negative attitudes harboured by certain teachers, and in turn exposed to students at an early age, could help create dysfunctional or problematic members of society. 

That is why incidents such as certain teachers making sexist jokes or university lecturers sexually harassing students should not be taken lightly. They must be called out – and not be made a case to be swept under the proverbial rug. 

An educational institution that publicly acknowledges the impropriety of its members and takes appropriate action against the perpetrators deserves our trust and respect, for this could possibly put a stop to such misconduct.  

Teachers’ work becomes more challenging when our contemporary society in general seems to have lost its moral compass. It can be tough to convince students that, for instance, a wrong cannot be regarded as right.  

Despite these challenges, the most dedicated of the teachers still enjoy and value teaching. They do not consider teaching as a profession. It is a calling.  

Their contributions are indeed invaluable. – May 17, 2023.