Starchild: Malaysian children pay tribute to their favourite teachers

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 6

Teachers play a important role in shaping young minds. Educators who are dedicated and kind are remembered by their students long after they have left school. Some teachers inspire their pupils to do their best, and not just in their studies.

Teachers Day was celebrated on Monday May 16. Here are the letters from Starchild readers about their favourite teachers.

Lakshmita Vigneswaran, 12, thinks highly of her favourite teacher, Rima Rohani Mohamad. “She has been teaching me Bahasa Melayu for two years. Pn Rima is understanding and motherly. I am proud to have her as my class teacher. Happy Teachers’ Day, and may God bless her always.”

Lakshmita Vigneswaran, 12

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

“I have three teachers teaching me in Year One. Two of them wear a microphone so that everyone in class can hear what they are teaching. I enjoy my various lessons, especially English. I look forward to celebrating my first Teachers Day in school,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four, writes: “I have a few teachers in my kindergarten. I would like to wish them all Happy Teachers Day. Thank you teachers for teaching me how to hold my pencil and write properly.”

Six-year-old Claire Yap Jyn Wei wishes Happy Teachers Day to all her teachers and all educators in the world. “It is a day to celebrate all the teachers who have been hard working in educating all students. They do it so that children like me can learn. Learning is a good thing because you discover new things!”

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 9

“I like all of my teachers, from Teacher Tim to Teacher Sze Mun because their lessons are fun and interesting,” writes older sibling Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, nine.

Wong Jie Ern, 6

Six-year-old Wong Jie Ern’s favourite teacher is Teacher Cheng. “She teaches me English in school. I like her so much because we have a lot of fun during her class.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Older sibling Wong Cheng Yang, eight, likes Teacher Cheng too. “Teachers Day is a special day for all teachers. Teacher Cheng is always lenient to us. However, although she is kind, she tends to be a bit forgetful. I have been learning English with Teacher Cheng since Year One.”

Ong Keat Hsin, 7

Seven-year-old Ong Keat Hsin is thankful for having Ms Ng Chui Ngoh as his educator. “I love my teacher. She teaches me Chinese Language, Art and Moral. Happy Teachers Day!”

Jane Ng Ai Wen, 9

“Ms Tan is my favourite teacher. She has been teaching me poetry in school. I am glad to have her guidance. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to her and also wish her Happy Teachers Day,” says nine-year-old Jane Ng Ai Wen.

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: There’s an old saying that music is a universal language because it crosses all boundaries without differentiating between race, religion or culture.

Do you play any musical instruments at home or in the school band? What kind of music do you like? Do you like to play the piano, violin, guitar or recorder?

World Music Day is celebrated on June 21 to promote music and establish global harmony through music.

Please send us your letter together with your drawing.

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by June 10. Please put “STARCHILD: Music Day” in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone number and address.

Please send us typewritten letters.