Fisherman?

I received an SMS from A**s today. This was not the first time.

During the first half of the year, I always caught him sleeping and yawning in my class. Not only that, as his form teacher, I often received complains about his tardiness in class and his homework.

One day, I saw him playing football in the field. He was so alive and happy, and this was the total opposite in class.

When I asked him for the reasons, he said he couldnt sleep in the hostel at night and thus, he felt sleepy class.

During the second semester, he opted to stay with his family. That's the beginning of his regular absences in school and his studies show signs of decay.

I tried to call his parents to ask them about his absence. They told me he wanted to stop schooling and they too were worried and concerned for him as he is only 15 years old.

After some time, he appeared in school with his mother. He told me that he wanted to stop schooling and try to be a fisherman. I was shocked and of course, both his mother and I disagreed. When I asked him if this was what he really wanted, he couldnt answer.

I also learned that he insisted to stay with his family despite the need for him to travel about nearly an hour to school. His mother also told me that they were struggling to fund the transport that sends him to school because of the distance and financial struggles.

Finally, we agreed to let him 'try' to be a fisherman for one week - he would go to the sea with his father. But I told him clearly that I really hope he will come back to school. At least finish high school and finish SPM. After a week, I called and asked his mother. His mother said they will try to 'pujuk' him to come to school but he seemed reluctant. I got a chance to speak to him once and told him quitting school before finishing form 5 is not an option at all.

After a while, he came back to school but he was often missing in class. On and off when he saw me, he would shout, "teacherrrrr!!!" and grinned. I saw that he's a good student who just lost motivation in his studies.

The day when I told all my students I got my transfer, most of them were sad. A**s gave me a shocked look and he kept asking me lots of questions - why do I need to leave the school and where will I be going.

Today, his sms reminded me of the journey with him as his teacher and the school. To say that I dont miss the school is not true.


Sometimes we didnt know if all that we have given in school is enough. The school was silent about it but, from some of the sharing and sms from the students, I knew I have made a differences to some of them.