MPV

In the academic field, not everyone can peform the same. Some will do well in studies, some mediocre and some just can't. The achievers will definitely find their nitch in life so what about the poor performance? Can we just throw in our towel and just say 'Forget about them'? They will be washer women and gardeners and odd job workers. This category of people is simple to handle because they simply have no interest in studies as well as to learn a skill. However, there is this group who can't study but they can be motivated to do something. It simply means if we leave them be, they will directionless, going nowhere in life but they have not fallen into the category of cleaners or toilet bowl washers or labourers. This group hangs in the air.

I have this category of students. They are not naughty but they can because they are basically very bored and so they create mischiefs. They come to school, sleeping on the table. When you ask them if they are working, almost 100% will nod to say yes. Most of these students are underage but how do you keep them at home but to allow them to work? So they are sales people " selling CDs, handphones or working in food courts taking orders. I always ask them if they want to continue working like this their whole life, they look at me clueless because they know they have no skill so they really can't move forward but to accept their pathetic fate.

With this heartbreaking sight, way back in 2008, a principal, in my school, Mr. Lee Hah started 'Skill Studies'. I was the teacher in charge. He invited beauticians and hair stylist to teach our students these skills so that when they leave school, they have the basis to persue in the mentioned skills. The beauticial course was well accepted but the response to the hair stylist skill was poor. It was because it was expensive. Yes, learning these two skills are not cheap.

And so MPV class was started for weak performers and every year we have a graduation day for them. These students when they leave school, they have a ready skill to earn.

Behind the girls are the 4 teachers : From left to right. I am the last one in the row.

Graduation Day

Do you know what? Mainting this class takes a lot of patience and dedication. The girls tend to want to quit half way and have to be cajoled gently, to show them the path and they tend to make payment very, very slowly. But I have good news too. Previous girls have come out to make a living with this skill they have learned. One of them who learned poise from this program has become an air stewardess and another has open her own shop. A father too have come back to tell that since his daughter has learned this course, she has changed to become more responsible. It is because of these good news that I received, I am willing to go on with this program. Very tough.........