LAST week, schools the length and breadth of the country celebrated ‘Teachers Day’. Yes, this most important of vocations needs to be recognised and the dedicated men and women who guide our children deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.
But should this extend to students coming to schools armed with “presents” for their teachers? This was the poser from Facebook user Francis MK on the Malaysian Education Info (And Homeschooling Too) page.
The poster is of the opinion that such an unhealthy practice should be discontinued. He also shared a post purportedly by a spouse of a teacher who lamented the avalanche of “cheap or less-than-useful” gifts that come home with her teacher husband every year on the occasion which inevitably ends in the dumpster.
There are quite a few pertinent points that is raised by the above query. The poster is right in saying it breeds a “keeping-up-with-the-Jonese” attitude as students compare gifts which places undue pressure on their parents to ensure the pressies are up to scratch.
Then there is point about teachers comparing. There will always inevitably be some popular individuals who will receive more or even extra lavish or extravagant gifts, leading to all sorts of unhealthy thoughts and feelings.
The post certainly sparked a lively debate with a flurry of comments. Not least from parents who seem quite slighted by the spouse-of-teacher’s posting lamenting many gifts were just “rubbish that had to be thrown out”.
One suggested the almost fail-proof gift albeit with a proviso.
Another netizen suggested practical gifts that can be used and enjoyed by almost everyone, thus negating the need for parents to “crack their heads”.
However, a teacher responded to the post by highlighting that most teachers do NOT compare gifts. They appreciate even the humblest of gifts and would accept those gifts as a genuine gesture of thanks for their hard work and dedication.
Another shared his experience of this as a teacher at an international school by revealing that there were guidelines as to what was acceptable gifts with a clear message to avoid ultra-lavish gifts.
One parent share what she believed was the right thing to do – be present for school-related meetings and events. She also stressed the importance of taking on-board teachers’ feedback and implementing their advice. This, she contends, is the best gift parents can give towards teachers.
It could even be argued that this very Malaysian practice of buah tangan is the foundation for less-innocent gifts later in life. Pupils are taught to believe very early on that such gifts are mandatory, especially if they want something done or seek to curry favour.
But at the same time, public school teachers are an over-worked and underpaid lot. As highlighted by some posters (including those in the teaching profession), this practice allows students and parents to show their appreciation, no matter how humble or small a token is given as a gift.
Perhaps, the best solution would be to avoid personal gifts. Instead, each class can have a whip around to get a collective gift for each of their teachers.
The maximum amount donated can also be capped. This will avoid the game of one-upmanship among parents for they can leave the planning in the hands of school pupils.
When the gifts are from an entire class and consist of practical or popular items such as the aforementioned chocolates, it will also avoid teachers comparing or practicing favouritism towards the big-gift givers. – May 21, 2024
Main image credit: Institut Masa Depan Malaysia
