It was early morning in January 1979 in remote Primary School in Sekolah Rendah Kepayan Baru Keningau when I started my Standard One schooling. My dad was my class teacher in Primary One. I supposed he arranged it in such way so that I would not be crying too much on the first day in my school. My dad was always with me, even during the rest period, he stayed in the class room to accompany me. When my classmate joked that my father had gone home (when in fact he was in the toilet), I cried, to their amusement. Meanwhile I was amazed how everyone else was so comfortable despite the absence of their parents. Of course I did not know then that all of them were two years older than me. That’s right; I went to primary one at the age of five years old while everyone else started at seven. Kindergarten was nowhere in sight at that time. That two years difference makes them so mature as compared to me.
My dad’s reason for putting me in school at the early age (I found out much later) was that if I failed, I would have two extra years reserved for any classes that I have to repeat. (Repeating class and jumping class were common in those days). In other words, I started my schooling with the anticipation for failing and repeating. Not that it matters much to me at the age of five. Looking back now, I do thank my dad for that insight he has. I have benefited much from being in school at early age.
Did you readers notice how my dad gambled with the system? My age was the bet on the table. He put me in school two years younger than the required age. He put down the bet he expected to loose. He put two bets (two years) he could afford to loose. Do you see what I meant, my dad try to beat the system. In anticipating problems, he moved two steps ahead (or two years ahead, to be exact). I do not think my dad is a pro in actual poker game (I have never seen him playing), but in this case he definitely moved like a pro!
But I did not fail; I still remember that school time was fun. I can’t wait to go to school every morning. I remember reading was fun, because all of us would jump on the table, and sitting on the table (believe or not) and started to read from the black board. I must thank the teacher who created such a fun learning environment. Counting (mathematics) was fun and writing was fun, drawing was the most exhilarating, and wait, it was during the PE (Physical Education) session that we were ecstatic (like bunch of monkeys high on drugs) to say the least.
My dad’s reason for putting me in school at the early age (I found out much later) was that if I failed, I would have two extra years reserved for any classes that I have to repeat. (Repeating class and jumping class were common in those days). In other words, I started my schooling with the anticipation for failing and repeating. Not that it matters much to me at the age of five. Looking back now, I do thank my dad for that insight he has. I have benefited much from being in school at early age.
Did you readers notice how my dad gambled with the system? My age was the bet on the table. He put me in school two years younger than the required age. He put down the bet he expected to loose. He put two bets (two years) he could afford to loose. Do you see what I meant, my dad try to beat the system. In anticipating problems, he moved two steps ahead (or two years ahead, to be exact). I do not think my dad is a pro in actual poker game (I have never seen him playing), but in this case he definitely moved like a pro!
But I did not fail; I still remember that school time was fun. I can’t wait to go to school every morning. I remember reading was fun, because all of us would jump on the table, and sitting on the table (believe or not) and started to read from the black board. I must thank the teacher who created such a fun learning environment. Counting (mathematics) was fun and writing was fun, drawing was the most exhilarating, and wait, it was during the PE (Physical Education) session that we were ecstatic (like bunch of monkeys high on drugs) to say the least.
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