National Poet, Datuk Usman Awang once stated that the birth of a Prime Minister,
doctor, lawyer, and professor begins from an ordinary teacher who taught them to
read and write. This is a statement that raises the status of a teacher in
educating the nation's children, regardless of time, effort, and money. They are
like the sun that illuminates human life with their knowledge. The persistence
of teachers in educating the children of the nation with sincerity without
feeling tired cannot be questioned. Without the efforts and sacrifices of
teachers, students cannot achieve brilliant success. Therefore, ways to
appreciate the services of teachers, which color the focus of the discussion,
will be discussed and emphasized for mutual benefit.
Quoting words from former Education Minister, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein,
who stated that the cultivation of manners to respect teachers begins at home
and hopes that parents encourage their children to appreciate the services of
teachers. Based on this statement, it is clear that manners to respect teachers
are an important element in fostering good language and polite manners among
students. Students who maintain good language and manners when dealing with
teachers are one way we can appreciate their services. Students should always
have a smile while disagreeing with teachers regardless of the situation. In
class, students who respect teachers never make noise that interferes with the
teacher during the teaching and learning process. Such an attitude should be
avoided. In this context, they should give full attention during the teacher's
teaching and always take the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the
lessons. During class discussions, students should maintain good manners, not
raise their voices, and treat teachers and classmates warmly. Isn't the teacher
the source of knowledge? In conclusion, good language and polite manners are
commendable practices for appreciating the teachers who teach and educate us.
Discipline and compliance with school regulations are also one of the ways that
cannot be ignored by students who have good manners. Characteristics of
disciplined students include they always arrive early at school, they always
keep to time, they are not involved in gangsterism, vandalism or truancy. In
addition, students wear uniforms neatly with hair combed neatly. Such practices
cultivate discipline among students to be ready to learn and comply with the
rules set by the school. If discipline is controlled, it will certainly make it
easier for teachers to teach and educate students to succeed with excellence.
The saying "round water because of a dam, round people because of agreement"
proves close cooperation between teachers and students in complying with the
established rules will be a catalyst for academic and personal excellence of
students. It is clear that following discipline reflects the respect of students
to teachers.
In addition, students need to be concerned and show love to teachers. The
practice of remembering and appreciating the services of teachers is a noble
practice. Teachers will feel that their services are valued even if they are no
longer serving as educators. We can appreciate the services of teachers by
celebrating Teachers' Day on May 16th. On that day, students should give gifts
to the teachers who taught them as a sign of appreciation for all their efforts
and sweat. The gift given does not necessarily have to be limited to money, but
must be accompanied by a sincere and genuine heart. Value is not the measure,
but a sincere gift is more meaningful. If students are unable to give gifts,
just a simple happy teacher's day greeting is enough.
Visiting teachers should be made into a culture among students. Visiting
teachers when they are in hardship and illness is also a way for us to
appreciate the services of teachers. As humans, teachers certainly face various
problems in life. For example, teachers may be affected by accidents, disasters,
suffering from illness and so on, because fate has no scent. As students, we
need to visit them if they face such situations as a sign of showing sympathy,
as if our left and right legs feel the pain. When visiting them when they are
sick, we should bring a gift to cheer up the teacher and reduce the burden of
suffering they bear. If they experience an accident or natural disaster, we
should collect donations to ease the burden they are carrying. This is very
consistent with the proverb, it's heavy to watch, heavier to bear. It is clear
that the phrase, "Your service is remembered, your kindness is honored" is not
just empty words because the sacrifices of teachers are always remembered by
students.
In addition, we can also appreciate the services of teachers by praying for the
well-being of teachers who have taught and educated us so far. Praying for the
well-being of teachers, whether during their lifetime or after they have
returned to the mercy of God, proves that we always remember their services. We
should pray for them to always be healthy and safe from all dangers. This is
because if teachers are healthy, they will surely be able to carry out their
duties of educating the nation's children perfectly. For those who have passed
away, we should pray that their sins are forgiven so that they are at peace in
the intermediate world. Indeed, a dead tiger leaves its stripes, a dead person
leaves his name, and of course, the services and sacrifices of teachers will
always be remembered.
It is already clear and obvious that the services and sacrifices of a teacher
are difficult to repay, even with a pile of diamonds. Without a teacher, who are
we because it is the teacher who teaches us to understand the meaning of life.
Therefore, let us together appreciate the services of teachers so that the
knowledge we obtain from them will be blessed by God. |