Applying for a Promotion September 20, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Career, Education, My Views, Relationship, Teachers' Training, Writing.Tags: bachelor, certificate, degree, promotion
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Now that I have a scroll, and I have been busy preparing papers to apply for a promotion. At the moment I am in DGA32 under the non-graduate teacher service scale. With my first degree I am applying for DGA41 scale. Two weeks ago I prepared two letters, one to be sent to our headquarters in Kuching and another to the Education Ministry in Putrajaya. Both letters are similar. I enclosed copies of my birth certificate, identity card, letter of offer from the varsity, study permit from our ministry, DGA29 appointment letter, DGA29 service confirmation announcement, the scroll and the academic transcript, teachers’ training certificate, and the Certificate of Education. Despite these documents are small and light weight, I ran here and there to photocopy them and ‘chased’ the headmaster to get his signature. It was like chasing after an artist for an autograph!
Attending the 6th OUM Convo September 7, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Education, Family, Language, My Views, Teachers' Training.3 comments
20th August 2008
Sat for my Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan at Sekolah Menengah Teknik, Betong. The paper, Kertas Umum, was a one hour paper, from 9 – 10 a.m. It was quite tough despite a good preparation I have made earlier. Right after the examination my family and I started our journey down to Kuching. My sister, Suzie, rode in our car too. I had planned for the journey to start at 11.00 a.m., so it would be nice once we reach the little town of Lachau by 12.30 p.m. for lunch. I drove cautiously as the load was ‘good’ for the car. At 12.45 p.m. we reached Lachau and had our lunch there. By 1.30 p.m., we hit the road again and proceeded to Kuching. As it was after lunch, I felt sleepy behind the wheel. My wife and the kids and also my sister kept me awake by talking about a lot of things along the way. After half an hour, and as the heat of the day rose, the car air-con gave way. All my passengers were quiet and I knew they were all sleepy. I had to turned my car radio on to beat the sleepiness. Yes. I stayed awake until we reached the town of Serian – approximately two hours from Lachau. I told them that we had to ease ourselves at the public washrooms by the roadside before continuing our journey to Kuching. It would be another one and half hour drive to Kuching. After the brief stop at Serian, we proceeded on our way. Finally, we reached Kuching, my sister-in-law’s place at Taman Kalien at around 3 something.
21st August 2008
As arranged earlier, Ken, my brother-in-law sent, my family and I in my car to the LCCT airport to check in. We brought along two big bags for the six-nights stay in Kuala Lumpur. After everything was done, we made our way to the departure gate and seated ourselves comfortably in the AirAsia boeng. I could see those eyes of astonishment and excitement among my three children. I told them that the flight would be very interesting (which I did not like very much). We took off at 1145 a.m and the weather over the Kuching was good. But when we hovered over the skies of KL, the weather was rough. I did not like the bumpy plane and a lot of bad imaginations came into my head. Despite the storm, we touched down safely at KL LCCT. From the airport, we took the airline bus to KL Sentral. We reached KL Sentral after an hour ride from the airport. It drizzled when we reached the station but we had to look for a taxi to take us to our hotel. After about 15 minutes of wondering, an Indian taxi driver offered us a lift in his van. He said he would lift my whole family if I agree to pay him RM30 for the trip. As we were new to the place, I did not mind the rate. The driver did not talk much, and my family and I were also silent. We simply enjoyed the city view through the van window. In less than half an hour, we reached Tune Hotels at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and checked-into our rooms in no haste.
22nd August 2008:
After breakfast, my family and I took the LRT to Putra World Trade Centre to get some info on how to collect the cloak for the convocation. We spent about half an hour at PWTC to look for the Dewan Merdeka where the convo would be held in 2 days time. From PWTC, we went on foot to the OUM campus at Jalan Sultan Ismail. The big sign board said that the campus is about 450 meters away. Along the way to the campus we met some of my course-mates from Sarawak and we felt that we were not strangers in KL! We spent about an hour at the OUM campus before going back to the hotel. I paid RM200 for the cloak, RM165 for the photographs, around RM100 for the souveniers, and drinks for the children. From the campus, we took a ride back to the hotel in a taxi. We learned that the route from the campus to the hotel was very short! I knew about this when the taxi driver told us a little bit about the places during the short trip. Later in the evening, my sister-in-law, Datin Z, arrived at the hotel from work. She invited the whole family for sight-seeing in and around KL. She took us to KLCC for dinner. I purchased a Pentax digital camera, since I have lost my Sony to a thief about a month ago. After dinner and much of the sight-seeing, she sent us back to our hotel, and I learned that the time was around 11 p.m.
23rd August 2008
It’s a ‘free’ day today. My family and I planned to take a walk around KL. Augustine and his family insisted to follow us. Earlier my sister-in-law had invited my family and I to have dinner at her place in Taman Mutiara, Shah Alam. She told us to bring Augustine and his family along. At 6.00 p.m. we took a train from KL Sentral to Shah Alam station. It was drizzling and the train was a bit crowded. When we reached Shah Alam it was already quite dark. My sister-in-law’s son, Kamil, picked us up at the Shah Alam station in his 7-seater car. From the station, he took us straight to their house. His mum had been waiting at the door to meet and welcome us.
Datin Z has a wonderful place. Despite the night, we managed to take a look around the house with the aid of lights. There’s also a family swimming pool in the backyard, and other ‘nice looking’ landscaping items. It sure was costly for a big house like hers but my wife and I just kept it to ourselves.
After dinner, we talked near her her swimming pool. My Theophilus and Timothy dipped their legs into pool. Finally at 11.00 p.m. I interrupted our conversations and told them that it was time to go back to KL. My sister-in-law offered to send us back in her car.
24th August 2008
My big day. Woke up early and get the whole family to have breakfast at the hotel. We did not go anywhere that morning as I had to get all my things packed. By 11.00a.m. we had our lunch at the hotel. A brief lunch as I did not want to rush to the convocation venue. After lunch we took a 7-seater taxi to Putra World Trade Centre. We made our way through the big crowd there. My wife helped me get dressed in the convo cloak and the mortarboard. There were so many people and the place was packed at all the five levels. By 2.30 p.m. I was among the hundreds of the other students lined up to get into the Merdeka Hall. We were ushered by the university staff. It was very well organised. By 3.00 p.m. the ‘historical’ event began with the pro-chancellor’s brief speech and followed by the handing of the scrolls. I was the sixth scroll receipient to receive the scroll that afternoon, and it was really heart-throbbing while on stage. I felt I was at the top of the world that moment. When it was all over, we proceeded to the upper level of the venue to have our photographs taken. It was a long wait as there were so many people around. By 7.00 p.m. my family and I had our photographs taken and after that we made our way back to the hotel.
Once back at the hotel, it was already quite late. Everyone was tired to even take a stroll to the nearest restaurant. Tired. We went to bed as early as 11 p.m. that evening.
25th August 2008
Another day in KL. I arranged to return the cloak to PWTC and collect the actual scroll and the academic transcripts from the varsity admin in the morning. I went there alone, as my family were still feeling tired. My wife spent the whole morning doing the laundry using the hotel machines. I went back to the hotel before noon. After lunch, we strolled KL again…
26th August 2008
We decided to take a walk close to the hotel. As we have seen a lot of KL everyone was very content. As we have been in KL for almost a week, we had bought alot of things. The children were happy with their toys, magazines and a couple of computer peripherals, whereas my wife, with her textile.
27th August 2008
We made our way to the LCCT in the hotel mini bus. The trip costed us RM190, and Augustine and I had agreed that we bear the fare ‘proportionately’. We arrived around 9.30 a.m at the airport, and my wife and I treated the children at the airport cafe. We had nasi lemak and hot drinks for breakfast there. After breakfast we checked-in at the counter for the 11.45 a.m. flight back to Sarawak. While waiting the children enjoyed playing the luggage trolley, especially Timothy and Theophilus. They took turns giving each other the trolley push. After a long wait after check-in, we were among other passengers made our way to the plane. Our plane took off 5 minutes before the ETA, and the skies above KL was stormy. Above Kuching, once again, the flight was ‘a bit bumpy’ too, like above KL. It was raining when our plane touched down on Kuching International Airport. Ken, was there, waiting for us. From the airport, we went straight to his house to for a short rest. Trevor and Timothy took some of our luggage in a taxi and left the airport for Betong. Everyone was relieved after the ‘rough’ flight. And we thank God for everyone’s safe touch down.
Early 2k May 28, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Christmas, Computer, Education, Ethnic, Family, Language, Love, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Writing.Tags: Festival, gawai antu, renovating, school transfer
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2000 – I have decided to apply for transfer to another school near my mum’s house. My first choice was Sekolah Kebangsaan St. Augustine (500 meters from mum’s place), secondly, Sekolah Kebangsaan Abg. Abdul Kadir (700 meters), and thirdly, Sekolah Kebangsaan Saka (4 km). After I had submitted my forms, I crossed my fingers for about six months – May till December. Since then, my wife and I felt anxious about the transfer. I told her that I might be considered this time, as we have been in this school (Sekolah Kebangsaan Nanga Spak) for almost 11 years.
2000 was also the year when my wife’s longhouse celebrated the Gawai Antu (Festival for the Dead). Our financial standing was to fund both the out-going transfer from Sekolah Kebangsaan Nanga Spak, and also the festival. But my in-laws were very considerate. They, especially my late father in-law, understood my financial position. Long before 2000, I have been helping my in-laws in repairing and renovating their house. I had to provide my effort as I was not financially strong. Yes, my wife and I really appreciated their consideration in that matter.
December 2000 – the transfer that I had applied in May was approved! Yes, we are moving out. I arranged for the transportation in less than a week. Once all our things were moved to mum’s place, my family and I rushed to my in-laws’ longhouse to assist them preparing for the Gawai Antu. The festival was supposed to be held on the 30th December 2000 and all the longhouse folks were very busy preparing for it. Sounds of hammer could be heard until 9 or 10 p.m. and everyone did not mind the noise!
Me, in the late 1990s May 21, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Computer, Education, Ethnic, Family, Love, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Writing.Tags: degree, determination, MOE, Sri Aman, TESL, Theophilus Nathaniel, Timothy Julius Umpu, Trevor Jullian
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1991 – I have considered this year rather significant in my life and so did my family’s. Firstly, my wife gave birth to our third child, a boy whom we named Trevor Jullian on the 20th July. Unlike his elder brother (Theodore) and sister (Fionula), Trevor seemed to ‘refuse to be delivered’ in Betong! His mum had went into labour for almost two days. On the third day, the midwife told us that she referred my wife to Sri Aman hospital for a safer deliver. We went to Sri Aman in a Medical Dept’s transport – a Land Cruiser. We reached Sri Aman hospital at around 10.30 a.m. At exactly 1.28 p.m. in the afternoon, Trevor was born!
Secondly, I had made up my mind to sit for SPM full certificate. That was to obtain a credit pass in my BM papers. I enrolled for the exam sometimes in early April in which I took five subjects – BM, English, Geography, Integrated Science and Arts. I had put most of my efforts on BM. I read and wrote more in the subject. Besides my own efforts, I had started to devote myself more towards my faith. I prayed a lot.
Yes! God is loving. He answered my prayers. I got a credit 5 for my BM papers that year. My English papers – distinction 1! I was proud of being cared for by God. Being a former MCE student, I did not take that as the main factor why I obtained a 1 in my English. It was God’s love. Praise Lord.
1992 – I was appointed to the post of Trained Teacher in the C2 category. The post I have longed for since my first posting in 1987.
1995 – Another significance. Firstly, my appointment was confirmed by the ministry (i.e. our MOE) and I was placed into the pensionable scheme. I felt more secure in my service being a trained teacher.
Secondly, on 11th of July, another boy came into our family – Timothy Julius Umpu. He is the forth child in the family.
1999 – Another significance. Firstly, I applied to undergo a bachelor degree program in TESL. It was a full time course. I went for an interview at MOE’s Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, Kuching around April. To my surprise one of the interviewers was my former college director – Mr. Encharang Agas. During the interview he asked me whether I had thoroughly prepared to further my study, which was supposed to be going for four years. He even asked whether my wife was employed or not. I replied that she was not, and when he knew that, he told me that I would have to face a hard time pursuing the degree. That made me desperate and stressed. His words were true. Should I was accepted into a university, my employers would pay me half of what I was supposed to receive. Meaning (at that time), my family and I are going to enjoy a maximum income of RM400 a month, for four years. After the interview, I brainstormed myself on how my wife would secure a job. There was a lot of constraints coming into my mind. None could work. After weeks of waiting for the interview result, and much of brainstorming, I gave up! I told myself that I have lost an opportunity to get a degree. But then, I told myself then, that was the only application I would forward and I could not take it, thus, I would let my children take it in future. If I could not, let me provide them.
The second significant was that, a fifth boy was born, whom we named him Theophilus Nathaniel. He was born on 26th December, a day after Christmas. My wife and I agreed on one decision not to have any more children after Theophilus. We had agreed that five is enough. Thus, about a month after Theophilus was born, my wife underwent the VTL.
The Dawning of my Career April 21, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Computer, Culture, Education, Family, Language, My Views, Teachers' Training, Writing.Tags: Betong, Connie, Duie, express boat, Fionula, fishing, Gawai Dayak, harpoons, Kapit, nets, Sarawak, Song, Theodore Keith Kiai, wharf
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1987 – Upon reaching the little town of Song in the Kapit division, Sarawak, I was struck with awe. “Here I am, Song” I talked to myself. I ascended the wharf steps sluggishly. It wasn’t the heavy luggage that weighed me down, but my head was full of questions I myself could not answer. I was not alone in Song. Wan M was also there. He was also new to Song. Fortunately, we came to Song with another junior trainee who was a Songite. His house was near the wharf area so we reached his house in about 10 minutes walk from the wharf. Thus Wan M and I felt rather comfortable in the new and strange town.
That night I was told that the headmaster of my new school was also a Songite whom our junior trainee friend knew very well. He was (the late) Mr John P. I felt a bit happy but there were many unanswered questions in my head. How should I introduce myself to the headmaster the next day? That night we slept late and once in bed I had the trouble of getting asleep.
The following morning, Wan M and I hurriedly to town so that we could meet our new bosses. The first thing in our mind was to look for a Muslim coffee shop to have our breakfast. We were unsure for how long it would take us to meet our bosses. Our breakfast was silent whilst the bustling coffee shop. After the breakfast, Wan M and I went straight to the wharf to look for signs of our new bosses. At this point, I thought I must brave myself asking stupid questions at anyone who berthed their boats at the wharf. I have to have that courage.
After sitting for a moment, I was very fortunate to bump into a stranger and asked him a question – “Which direction is Sekula Nanga Dalai?”. The person replied, “That way”, as he pointed to the right down the Rajang river.
“Why?” He asked me back, “Are you going to go to Sekula Nanga Dalai?”
“Yes”, I replied. “I am looking for the school’s headmaster”.
He smiled and said, “Well, I am the headmaster”.
I almost jumped with excitement but I kept it to myself…
… My first year teaching after completing my 3 years teacher training at Maktab Perguruan Rajang, Bintangor, Sarawak. My wife and my 4 year old Theodore followed me to the school around April that year. Our living quarters was very simple. It had a kitchen cum dinning space and a sleeping space. There were no sitting rooms or washrooms. We had to take our bath by the stream about 50 meters away from the house. There were also no TV or radio.
Despite without any TV or radio, we were a bit content. In the evening after dinner, there was nothing much to do at home. My son had a lot of toys around the small living space to play with until he was too tired. My wife was occupied with her crocheting. As for me, I would join the other teachers to fish in the stream. That was how we spent our evenings in the school. Catches were sometimes good and at other times each one of us could only manage to bring home about several hundred grams. Oh! I didn’t mention the fishing technique, did I? We used small harpoons, goggles, flashlights, and drift nets to fish. One would have to dive to catch fish or prawns. On weekends, we would bring along our families either down or upriver for both picnic and fishing. With the ladies coming along, they too had their own fishing techniques. The used woven fishing baskets to scoop their catch. Their fishing spot were usually knee deep cataracts. One would place the basket facing upstream and then move the pebbles and rocks around. This would scare off any small fish or prawns from their hideouts thus get caught in the basket. (What a lengthy description!!)
June, 1987 – My wife, son, and I went home (to Betong) for the Gawai Dayak holiday. My wife was pregnant and she was due to deliver around July or August. We had planned for the child birth to be in Betong, as there was only one rural dispensary near the school. I hadn’t the gut to take care of her on my own here in the school. The journey back home took us almost 5 – 6 hours. One boat ride, one express boat ride, and a bus ride, then we are in Betong. We were exhausted but were also excite.
After the Gawai Dayak I had to go back to Song – alone.
20 September 1987 – My wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She named the baby Fionula Connie Duie. Duie was my maternal grandma. As I was not around when the baby was born, I ‘missed’ the opportunity to name the baby ‘Theresa’ as I had told her earlier. I intended to ‘retain’ the letter ‘T’ in her name, as also in ‘Theodore’, her elder brother. The letter ‘T’ was supposed to signify my dad’s second name. Anyway, I did not mind so much with the baby’s name. As she was a girl, so let her be different from her elder brother, or may be, brothers, in future!
That year too, I was among a few other teacher sat for the July Bahasa Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exam. It was an effort to obtain a credit to enable us to be appointed and confirmed into our service. My service category then was “C4 Trained (unconfirmed)”. Once we obtained a credit, the department would appoint and confirm us to “C2″ category.
December, 1987 – received the SPM result. I obtained an ordinary pass. I was quite frustrated, as I couldn’t go any further with an ordinary pass. I promised to myself that I would try even harder next year (1988).
1988 – my 2nd year in SK Nanga Dalai, Song. Not much changes in the school admin. I was appointed as one of the school warden to look after kids in the boarding houses from early morning till late night. The kids were quite easy to look after, as they did not have much influence from the ‘outside world’. They wore simple attire yet they were happy at all times.
June 1988 – It was Gawai Dayak again and my family and I had to make another yearly trip back home to Betong. That year’s Gawai I had to give way to my wife’s request to celebrate the occasion at her parents’ house in Buloh Antu, Padeh. The celebration was a wonderful one. We really enjoyed ourselves. Our little Dara (Fionula) was about 9 months old. The June holiday then was a short one. So, on the 2nd of June we had to go back to my mum’s place in Betong, as we had to go back to Song on the 3rd June.
July 1988 – I had to sit again for the SPM BM July paper which I failed last year. There was speculations on July paper. It was harder to pass as compared to sitting for a full certificate SPM. Whether true or likewise, I had to put in more effort this year.
December 1988 – Once again, the SPM BM result was issued. I obtained an ordinary pass. What a fate, I thought.
1989 – My 3rd year in one of Song’s oldest schools, SK Nanga Dalai. Three years was like a decade. I still could not suit my ‘lifestyle’ to living in remote area like this. Our main mode of transport was by river. The electric supply was a portable generator set which we ran from 6 p.m. till 10.00 p.m. daily. Our water sources were either gravity feed, river water or rain water. During dry seasons, the gravity feed water failed to provide sufficient water to the school. Pipe leaks were common, and we had to do the plumbing job ourselves. That year I told my wife and our kids that I was applying for transfer back to our home town – Betong. I could not bear to let my aging mum live so far away from us. My younger siblings are still depending on her small pension. Another ‘annoying’ factor was the unavailability of proper clinics near the school. My kids were still young and ‘fragile’ thus made life felt difficult then. It was mentality or perception on the situation.
October, 1989 – I received an approval of transfer back to Betong. I was offered to serve in SK Nanga Spak, Betong. The journey to the school was about an hour ride by gravel road from Betong town. I jumped with excitement when I received the letter. I rushed back to our quarters and told my wife the news. She was happy too. By late November, our family left SK Nanga Dalai Song and headed to Betong. Moving the whole lot was no small matter. We had to bring many things – including some poultry and a cat!
My Career Transition – Temporary Teaching –> Teachers’ Training March 6, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Culture, Education, Family, Language, Love, My Views, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Tradition, Writing.Tags: congratulate, homework, Kapit, Malaysia, revision, Saratok, Sarawak, SK Brayang, SK Ng Dalai, Song, training
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1984 – It was early March, and I was still attached to SRB St. John, Betong. Unexpectedly, one evening my boss, Mr Empading called me to his quarters. I quickly finished my dinner and hurriedly to his house. When I reached his door, he welcomed me. After some conversations, he congratulated for being accepted into teachers’ training. As I have mentioned earlier, I trusted my instinct.
A week later after I handed my duties over to my boss, I went home and told my mum about my successful application for the training. I could see little tears in her eyes. She seemed happier than I was.
I went to the Rajang Teachers’ College together with a friend of mine. We rode in two buses and a taxi to reach the college. Everything was very new to (my friend, Wan M) and I. I knew that after completing college life, I would become a trained teacher – to help the little people to live and help others.
Three years (1984 – 86) passed by so swiftly. Felt like 3 months or less. In early 1985, my colleagues and I were assigned to practise at SK Brayang in Saratok district for about a month. It was a new experience for us. We went through our daily routine among the little kids. They were lovely kids. In mid 1986 (our final year in college) once again my friends and I were assigned to practise at SK Abg Abdul Rahman, also in Saratok district. That time, the teaching practice was even tougher. It went for 3 months. We had to prepare our lesson plans and teaching aids almost every evening after school. From then on, I was very sure that a teacher’s day off would be his bedtime. Unlike other professions, a teacher brings home everything except the 4′x8′ chalkboard, and brings them back to school the following day. Anyway, that is not a big deal. Why? Because teachers assign homework. Homework is to be done at home!
Towards the end of 1986, I sat for my final year exam. Preparation for the exam was very tough. There were so many notes to dig into. To balance the exhaustive revision at night, I had to join my colleagues playing all types of games in order to unstress. Almost all senior trainees like me were alike – looked a bit weird in how we acted. It could have been the effect of overworking.
In early November that same year I received a letter of appointment from my present boss – the State Education Dept through our college principal. In the letter, my boss assigned me to serve in Song district of Kapit division – SK Nanga Dalai. It should take effect from January 1987. The other trainees of the same batch also received their postings respectively. Everyone was assigned to serve in a new district or a new division which was too foreign. Anxiety built in everyone’s heart and mind. But nobody could resist their postings because we have sworn to serve in places of the department’s choice – not ours. From then on, we had to swallow our pride to bid farewell to each other. I had to shake hands with Edakson Rigin, Assom Lutek, Alex Yii, Ayong Andam, George Bennet Sangkan, Toddy Ahmad, just to name a few, who have been with me for 3 years, especially in our college band – The Creatures. And not forgetting the lady trainees too. They were Fatimah Masri, Judy Pian, Jee Soi Jong, Sarimah Kalpon (our one and only vocalist), Neslin Hebron, and the rest of PSR-PM (Elektif Muzik) 1984-86 trainees. The lecturers too still linger in my mind until these days. They were Mr Sagim Suar (Music), Mr Edmund Motig (Teaching Technology), Mr Saidol Bolhassan (Malay Studies), Ms Ursula Ting (Music), etc.. and of course – Mr Encharang Agas, our college principal who really had inspired me to be what I am supposed to be today. All these guys – Malays, Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus, Orangs Ulu, Chinese etc have taught me the meaning of pluralism in our society. Before I enter college, I thought Sarawak was full of Ibans!
Job Hunting After School February 14, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Computer, Education, Ethnic, Family, Language, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Tradition, Writing.Tags: Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, Betong, Malaysia, SRB St John, teaching
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1981 (cont.) – After dad died life had to go on. I made up my mind not to ask mum to finance me for higher education. I had to continue looking for jobs. But I was still uncertain of which job I liked most. I was still confused. Still unsure of which path to take. When we were in Form 4 or 5, there was no counselling on career opportunity.
In mid-December, before the school reopens, I received a reappointment letter from my present employer. I felt a bit relieve because I can still earn and look for other jobs.
1982 – Reattached to the same school. I was able to enjoy this job. Yes, the thrill of teaching or being together with young children had grown in me. There were only two trained teachers in the school to guide me. With me around, there were 3 of us.
1983 – When the school reopens I was reappointed for the second time, but now the office directed me to teach in a more remote school – SRB St. John, Betong. It was a 4 hour boat ride upstream from Betong. Unlike the previous school I was attached to, SRB St. John, Betong was a bigger school. The school was a full primary school with six classes. There were ten teachers including me. The school was equipped with a boarding house for both boys and girls, a dining hall and a kitchen.
In or around July, I met my wife. Our love grew and in a short while I proposed for her hand. Our parents agreed and a simple wedding ceremony was arranged.
In September I applied for teachers’ training.Some trained teacher friends helped me fill the form. A couple of days later I submitted the form to Bahagian Pendidikan Guru in our MOE, KL. I was very confident that I will secure a place in any teachers’ college in my country. It was because I have been an untrained teacher for almost 3 years now. That may sound over-confident but I really trust my own instinct. Yes, I trust myself despite being a bit introvert.
My Early Days – 1963 Onwards February 13, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Language, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Uncategorized.Tags: Ajan, Awi, Bain, Betong, Blake, Bye, Chester, Duda, Empam, Green Rd, Langgi, LCE, Malaysia, MCE, Nanyang Kindergarten, Sarawak, Tabuan, Teachers' Training, teaching, Umoi
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1963 – Came into being (that was exactly March the 20th) – me being mum’s and dad’s first child.
1964 – My brother, Chester, was born in September – another boy for Dad and Mum
1966 – Juliana, my second sibling was born in July – a girl for dad and mum. She was very fair and lovely. Relatives and friends who visited mum during her confinement Juliana was the fairest of her kids
1967 – Entered Nanyang Kindergarten, Green Rd., Kuching;
- Was only 5 years old then. Dad wanted me to stand on my own feet as early as possible. Commuted to the kindy in dad’s friend’s car. The following year, Chester joined me in the same kindy. He was also 5 years old when he entered the kindy. Guess mum and the house maid did not like Chester (and me) around because of our ‘notoriority’.
1969 – Entered Primary 1 @ Ong Tiang Swee Rd Council School (OTSRCSchool), Kuching
1972 – Primary 4 (OTSCSchool); Dad retired. The whole family moved to Betong, Sarawak.
- Suzie, my third sibling, a girl was born sometimes in November. Dad was very glad to have 2 boys and 2 girls.
1973 – Entered Primary 5 at St. Augustine’s Primary (SAP) School, Betong Sarawak; Sat for the Common Entrant Exam. My brother, Chester, and I did not take it long to make new friends. It could have been our mini-bikes that helped us making new friends. My uncle, Duda Garai was the first person I met. There were many others like Stephen Bain Utot (Duda’s cousin), Norina Umoi Utot, Lajang Renang, Guntor Renang, Edward Langgi Kadam, Christina Dayang Kadam (my paternal cousins, who were younger siblings to Stanley Bye Kadam Kiai), Francis Empam Stop, Hardy Benedict, Nicholas Ajan Sanggat, Benedict Blake Sanggat, Sylva de Mathew “Ding”, Philip Nyaru “Awi” and many, many more.
1974 – Primary 6 at SAP. Before my 12th birthday, dad took me to Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (National Registration Dept) to apply for an identity card. (a few months later, the dept issued me my first blue IC with the number K0004233)
1975 – Entered Form 1 @ St. Augustine’s Secondary School, Betong. The principal was Mr KVVarghese, an Indian expatriate who had been serving in Betong and (perhaps) other places in Sarawak for sometimes. Some of my class and schoolmates were Joseph Kuan, Edmund Rintai, Santha Nair, Lenu, Margaret Montegrai, Marjorie Dunggat, Florence Brown, Wilson Lubon, Tendy Nyua, Billy Nyua, Dawie Nyua, Stanley “Igat” Jana Boniface, Mathew Nuing, Alexander Nuing, James Nuing, Andrew Nuing, and many more.
1977 – Form 3; Sat for the Lower Certificate of Ed (LCE) examination. Managed to secure a good pass.
1978 – Entered Form 4Sc at Kuching Town Govt Secondary School, Kuching; Commuting from aunt Kelang’s home in Tabuan Dayak, Kuching.
1980 – Form 5Sc; Sat for the Malaysian Certificate of Ed (MCE) exam;
1981 – Idle, until 20th March, was called to serve as an untrained temporary teacher at Sekolah Rendah Bantuan St. Simon & St. Jude, Betong. Initially did not want to go, but I took my dad’s challenge and encouragement. One of the words he uttered to me was, “Boy, go to work. Your mum and I are getting older. (He was 63 years old then). I was so touched by what he said, so the following day, I hesitantly made my way to the school. The road up the Layar then was not as good as today. On certain stretches we had to go on foot for an hour or so before reaching the school.
The MCE result was not announced yet. I took pride to look for other jobs because teaching was not my first choice. I went for interviews at the Medical dept, Land & Surveys dept, Agriculture dept and even banks. That year none of these institutions had favour me. But I did not blame them. It was my fate, perhaps. “I’ll try harder, next time’, I thought.
Unfortunately, on 7th July that year, my aging dad passed away. I felt a great loss. I have lost my one and only dad – my angel. He did not even have the chance to see me get paid for being a teacher. His words, “Boy, go to work… ” still linger in my mind up to this date. His funeral ended on the 9th July and on the 10th July we buried him at St. Augustine’s cemetery. I could remember that before the cortège left the present house, my unc, Major (R) Edmund Abit Bedindang, fired two gun shots into the air to mark the departure of dad’s cortège.
My siblings and I were confused. We still could not accept the fact that our dad died when all of us were still young. My youngest sister, Suzie, was only 10 years old then. Mum was confused too. She needed a lot of guidance in dealing with my late dad’s pension. But we were blessed with many friends and relatives. Our late uncle Wilson, a serving police personnel then, helped us a lot to deal with inheriting dad’s pension.
