Trusted mentor: Prakash believes education is not just about getting good results but also about gaining knowledge to improve a person’s life.
PETALING JAYA: For 15 years, a visually impaired tutor from Puchong has guided students to excel in Bahasa Melayu and History.
Prakash Suryamurthy, 43, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (cancer of the eye in children) when he was about two months old.
He believes education is not just about getting good results but also about gaining knowledge to improve a person’s life.
“I started the teaching journey after someone from a non-governmental organisation introduced me to it.
“I charge RM30 an hour for online sessions. For face-to-face lessons, the cost depends on the student’s age and location,” he said, adding that he teaches only secondary school students.
“There is a way to teach secondary students; you need to make them think out of the box.
“When you teach History, you can’t avoid politics. So I tell my students about what has happened and what is happening in the country.
“I explain the initiatives the government has introduced as students just want to understand the real scenario, and once they understand the concept, they enjoy learning History,” he said.
When Prakash first started his journey, some parents were sceptical about accepting him as a teacher.
However, after seeing their children’s results, they refer him to other families.
“I had five students who got A+ in History. Over the 15 years of my teaching journey, I have helped students go from failing, to at least getting credits in those two subjects.
Besides teaching, Prakash is also a certified counsellor.
“I usually counsel teenagers on school problems, peer issues, gangsterism and love matters, among others.
“Referrals come from hospitals or friends,” he said, adding that first sessions are face-to-face to build rapport and follow-ups are done online.
Prakash shared that his family ensured he received education up to the tertiary level.
“I was the first in the family to have tertiary education and entered Universiti Malaya and then other relatives followed me,” he added.
However, along with his achievements came stereotypes from people around him, but none of it got in the way of his passion.
“People often ask why I don’t just take a stable job, earning a steady salary, especially given my disability.
“I don’t like that mentality of staying in one place just for security.
“Money can be earned in many ways, but this work gives me fulfilment.
“Seeing my students succeed and transform their lives is worth far more than any pay cheques,” he said.
