Tan Kee Seng and Noor Sheela Binte Sani
Education, The Passport To Our Bright Future
Tan Kee Seng:
Looking up at the overcast sky above the Old Supreme Court, snippets of my childhood during the colonial times started flashing right before my eyes. Transported back in time to pre-independence… Our lives were simple and our futures were bleak. It was hard and difficult for most people who lived in Kampongs with no clean water and electricity. Kerosene lamps served as our main source of light at night.
My family of six barely had anything on the table during mealtimes. Every morsel of food was savoured slowly by the children, relishing in the moment when their empty stomachs were filled. One day, the youngest of the family squealed in delight, “There’s meat on the table!” Papa smiled and ruffled Jacob's dark curls, explaining warmly, “It’s the Lunar New Year and we’ve decided to slaughter the two hends roaming in our farm.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my petite mother wiping a tear away from her sunken cheeks. She certainly was not jolly amidst the festive period. Throughout dinner, she remained silent. It was dismal looking at my heroine who has sacrificed so much for the family, being so gloomy. When my siblings had fallen asleep, I crept out of bed to eavesdrop on my parents’ conversation. “You’ve got too carried away this year. There are no more hens in our farm, and the children will have no eggs in the morning for breakfast. You also bought sweets, biscuits, soft drinks and so on… We’ll not have enough money to pay Towkay Lim next week.”
“I know that… I just wanted the children to be happier this year, to celebrate the New Year with a bang. I’m sorry for overspending, I’ll try to get another job to provide you with a better life.” The grim reality started to sink in - no food, no money. That night, I lay in bed, eyes wide open.
At the break of dawn, I leapt out of bed and raced to the garden at the back of our house. I started digging the soil with my hoe, and using the shovel to clear the soil. An hour later, my mother stormed towards me and demanded, “What on earth are you doing? Why haven’t you dressed up for school?”
“I’m going to follow the footsteps of Kaka Fatimah. I’ll grow tapioca and sweet potatoes to feed us. It’s pointless going to school,” I beamed proudly at her. To my utter astonishment, Mother slapped me hard on my right cheek, leaving me completely aghast and wincing in pain.
Noor Sheela Binte Sani:
Two Generations Later… Year 2001
“Mummy… Where is my school uniform? My black shoes? My Teletubbies bag?” I was not excited to go to school. Is my teacher nice? Will anyone want to be friends with me? The uncertainty scares me. It was my first day of primary school. Mummy and Papa sent me to school. Like any other new kids, we were lost, we were shy. At the corridor of the classroom, parents sent off their kids to their classes. Kids were crying as they bid farewell. “I will see you later okay? Be good.” She kissed my forehead and waved goodbye.
I went into the class and sat beside a girl. She had two braided ponytails. She turned to me and smiled. I smiled back. "Do you want to be friends with me?" She nodded. "Yay! I got a friend!" When it's time for recess, a senior was paired up with me. She brought me to the school canteen and taught me how to order food and pay money. I sat at a table with her and ate a 10 cents Bin Bin cracker. Snacks were cheap back then. My senior then showed me around the school for a little bit and she then sent me back to class. Half of the day passed and the school hell rang. It is time to go home!
Childhood was the best time to study hard and play hard. After finishing my homework, "Mummy! Can I go to the playground?" Mummy will only allow me to go to the playground after 5.00pm and after finishing my homework. "Okay. Be home by 6.00pm. If not, papa will find you." I joined my friends at the playground and we played various types of games. Blind Mice, Ice and Water, Ali Bomb, Police and Thief and so many more. My favourite was Ali Bomb because it makes you hide without being caught and you got to be fast!
As I grow older, my interest to play at the playground has lessen. I have to spend my time doing homework after homework as the subjects increased from primary school to secondary school. By the time I have finished my homework, it was nighttime. I was only able to watch TV before bedtime. Mobile phone was not a must back then. Our mobile phones were mostly button phones. At that point of time, distractions were lesser and I was able to focus on my studies.
In 2010, I was doing intensive revisions for N level. I dreamt to be a lawyer. My hard work paid off as I did well for N level. I proceeded to O level with the same dream in 2011. However, my dream was crushed and my motivation went downhill when papa passed away in April 2011. Papa was my source of motivation to study hard for a bright future. Due to his lower education level, he got a job as a gardener. His constant reminder of my dream and not to follow in his footsteps was what kept me going.
