"The Untouchables"

Life is becoming so hectic, life as a wife, a mother, a teacher… Everything needs to be done, need to be attended to, every single thing. Not only my own children I have to “mould” and “shape” but as a teacher I have to do the same to all my students. And to do that these days to other’s children is definitely no simple matter. If 20 or 30 years ago, teachers are those who people look up to. No students dare to raise their face whenever their teacher preaches them. Even I myself, when I was a young student, do not dare to complain to my parents upon receiving slight strokes from my principal for not accomplishing my homework. I know if I were to do that, I will only receive more canings from my dad because of my own mistakes.

Today, for the numerous times, my credibility as a teacher is being “challenged” by my student. Everyone in the class saw this particular student has a mobile phone with her, she in fact, proudly busy taking pictures of her friends with it. When she noticed that I saw what she was doing and knowing very well that it is against the school regulations to bring mobile phones to school, she quickly tried to hide it. I know I cannot simply close one eye to this matter because other students will question me why I ignore such things. It will be unfair for the rest.

Despite knowing what trouble I will face with this particular student, I still have to do something about it. As I was walking towards her, she pretended to act as if nothing is happening. As expected, she denied that she has the phone with her and rudely asked me to “check” her. I was extremely angry upon such reaction from this girl; I could feel my blood rushes up to my face and head. She continued by asking me to speak in English because she cannot understand Malay language. And so I did. Even so, she still pretended not to understand me. I then knew that this girl is trying to make me a fool and I could easily give her a tight slap for that. But something rings in my head that the students nowadays are “untouchables”. You dare to touch them, means you’re in trouble. You might end up in court for that. Finally I took her to the principal’s office since she “cannot” understand neither English nor Malay language.

I don’t know what happened after that because I left her there. I guess I was angry at her mainly not because of her bringing the mobile to school, but due to her rude and impolite attitude. With her mocking face and non-stop talking in her language which I believed was cursing me, I felt like a complete idiot at that time. She knows very well I cannot do anything to make her hand over the mobile to me. That wasn’t the first time I encountered such incidents where students acted rudely and being disrespectful towards me. I feel challenged. I thought of ignoring these rude students. Who cares?? They are not my own children, why do I need to trouble myself and worry about them to this extent?

As a normal human being, I do have that kind of thoughts. But then again, I am a teacher. I have vowed to the government and nation to perform my best in my job. Hence, I cannot disregard these students. But frankly speaking, these “untouchables” make me so sick. Sometimes even make me feel like quitting my job permanently!!