For the kids: Teachers brave wild animals, landslides and vehicle breakdowns to get to their students. It’s all worth it, they say. — Photo courtesy of Termoj Production’s Facebook page
Dedicated teachers give it their all and more to help educate the Temiar children
IPOH: In the depths of the jungle, a group of dedicated teachers endured a two-hour journey through rugged terrain, winding trails and a boat ride to reach SK Rancangan Penempatan Semula (RPS) Pos Kemar in Gerik.
More than educators, they are beacons of hope for the Temiar Orang Asli children.
For P. Shalini, 32, the challenges the journey posed far outweighed her passion for teaching.
Originally from Parit Buntar, she began her career as an English teacher at the remote school in 2017.
Over the years, the struggles she faced not only toughened her resolve but also forged an unbreakable bond with the community.
“These Orang Asli children are usually hesitant to accept outsiders. However, thanks to previous teachers from diverse backgrounds, they have become more open. I feel honoured that their families trust me,” she said, Bernama reported.
For Shalini, teaching at the school extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom as she believes that her role is also to connect, understand and be part of the students’ lives.
To fully commit to their roles, Shalini and her fellow teachers live in the school quarters, often going weeks or months before returning to their own families.
Yet, within the school’s walls and surrounding villages, they have found a second home.
“The sense of belonging here is incredible. Despite being far from our families, we are embraced as part of the community.
“We swim in the river with our students, conduct sewing classes with their parents and I’ve even been a bridal makeup artist for Orang Asli weddings. These are priceless moments,” she added.
Unlike in urban schools where gadgets dominate, students here thrive on the simple joys of enjoying nature, learning through real-life experiences and forming deep ties with their teachers.
“The most rewarding part is hearing them speak even a few words of English. It may seem small to others, but for them, mastering a foreign language is a huge step forward. It fills me with pride,” she added.
Her teaching colleague, Muhamad Faris Mokhtar, 35, said the journey to the school was an adventure filled with danger.
He described his commute as nothing short of an expedition –dodging landslides, navigating past fallen trees and encountering wildlife, including wild elephants.
“Just two weeks ago, I crossed paths with a herd of wild elephants on my way to school. It wasn’t the first time, and certainly won’t be the last.
“But with nearly nine years of experience on these routes, I’ve learned how to handle the encounters,” he said.
Yet, he said no challenge is too great when the goal is clear – to empower the Orang Asli children through education.
“Knowledge is the key to a better future. If these children are given the opportunity to learn, they can uplift their families and break the cycle of hardship. That thought keeps me going,” he said.
With over 1,000 students from preschool to Form Three, SK RPS Pos Kemar is classified as a K9 school (nine years of schooling) under the Education Ministry.
But to its teachers and students, it is more than a school – it is a home filled with love and unwavering hope for a brighter future.
