Starchild: Why Malaysian kids think their teachers are the heroes of education

Asher Wang Qi Chuen,6

Teachers Day was celebrated yesterday to honour and appreciate the amazing teachers who work hard every day to help us learn and grow. Have you ever thought about why teachers are so important in our lives?

Firstly, teachers guide us on the journey of learning. They share knowledge with us, helping us understand the world around us.

Whether it’s solving a tricky math problem or discovering the wonders of science, teachers are there to support us every step of the way.

They also teach us valuable life lessons. They encourage us to be kind, to work hard, and to never give up, no matter how challenging things may seem. Their words of encouragement and guidance inspire us to be the best version of ourselves.

So, Happy Teachers Day to all the amazing teachers out there! Thank you for being our heroes.

Recently Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic, Teachers Day. Here’s what they had to say.

Lim Sheng Hao, 11, says teachers are people who guide and teach students “how to do a lot of things”.

Lim Sheng Hao, 11

“My teacher from Year One to Year Three was the same. She taught us many things when we were still kids. However, my Year Four teacher was different, and it was a big change because they both had different teaching methods. The teacher who guided us in the lower standards used to punish us a lot.

"But my Year Four teacher never scolded us; instead, she used a point system. We started with a hundred points, and if we reached zero, we had to copy the entire Chinese textbook. I preferred this method because we would receive prizes when we reached certain point milestones. I appreciate all my school teachers’ help as they assisted me in overcoming many challenges.”

“My favourite teacher is Aunty Cheng. She has been teaching me English since I was four years old and still does. She teaches me English grammar, too. She will always guide me in every way she can. Aunty Cheng is also my aunt. On weekends, she conducts classes for my friends and me,” says Chuah Seng Koon, eight.

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 9

“Teacher Tiang is my class teacher. She likes to eat sushi. Blue and pink are her favourite colours. Teacher Tiang is hardworking, kind and occasionally fierce when we misbehave. To encourage us, she gives us little gifts like candies and stickers as rewards. I want to thank Teacher Tiang and all my school teachers for their hard work and their efforts to make learning fun for us,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, nine.

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, six, says: “I have five teachers for my class this year. The friendliest is my class teacher, Madam Ng. She helps me adapt in class. Teacher Yap, who teaches me Math, is the strictest. He carries a cane that he uses to discipline naughty students. I want to wish my teachers good health and a Happy Teachers Day!”

“Teacher Lim Yee Min was my Class Teacher for Year One, Two, and Three. She taught me Bahasa Cina, Bahasa Malaysia, and Pendidikan Moral. She is a kind and sweet-looking person who always tried different ways to help us understand the subjects she taught.

Lee Yew Cheong, 11

Every Tuesday, before class started, my classmates and I would go to the staff room for extra coaching in Bahasa Malaysia, as we found it challenging. Teacher Lim patiently guided us during these sessions.

She also encouraged me to participate in my school’s singing contest, where I achieved third place. I am grateful to Teacher Lim for her patience, guidance, and dedication,” writes Lee Yew Cheong, 11.

ITEM: Did you know that Milk Day is celebrated on June 1? It’s a day to celebrate the goodness of milk and all the amazing things it does for our bodies. Milk is super important because it’s packed with calcium, which helps our bones grow strong and healthy. Plus, it’s delicious too!

Tell us why you love milk – does it make your bones strong or your cereal extra tasty? Share your favorite milk drinks with us. Do you love chocolate milk, strawberry milk, or maybe just plain milk? And don’t forget to share some fun facts about milk too. Get creative and let us know why milk is ‘moo-velous’ to you.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by May 31. Please put “STARCHILD: Milk Day” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.