16 May - Teachers' Day

16 May is designated as Teacher’s Day in Malaysia. This year, the day holds special meaning for me. A half-page Special Report in today’s Daily Express features a prominent educator who has contributed significantly to the field of education in Sabah - Penny Lim, my better half.

The article, titled “IPG: 25 Years of Education Excellence” and written by Clarence George Dol, marks the silver jubilee of IPG Keningau. It highlights the institute’s milestones under various directors, with themes such as indigenous pedagogy, the Pensiangan–Salinatan model project, key teacher training programmes, and the institute’s steady growth over the years.

My wife, before assuming the role of Director of IPG Keningau in September 2008, she had served as Deputy Director at IPG Gaya and earlier as school principal in two secondary schools in Sabah. These roles not only honed her leadership skills but also shaped her vision of combining academic training with practical, community-based initiatives.

One of her most significant contributions was steering IPG Keningau towards recognition as the Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Pedagogy (Sabah Zone) in 2009. This milestone led to the establishment of the Department of Indigenous and Interior Pedagogy in 2010 - a move that gave due recognition to the unique cultural and educational needs of rural and indigenous communities in Sabah.

Among the initiatives under her leadership was the Pensiangan–Salinatan Model Project, first launched in 2004. By 2008, it had expanded from 12 to 15 schools, delivering measurable improvements in UPSR results and becoming a model for targeted rural education interventions.

Beyond academic programmes, she oversaw significant infrastructure development at the campus. New facilities included a pre-school block, Physical Education and co-curricular buildings, a resource centre, and lecturer residential quarters - all of which strengthened IPG Keningau’s ability to meet growing demands.

She also continued to promote the Teaching School Programme, which began with SK Menawo in 2003 and expanded to SK Penagatan in 2009. This initiative bridged the gap between theory and practice by giving trainee teachers invaluable hands-on classroom experience.

As IPG Keningau celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010, she captured its spirit perfectly with the theme: “25 Years of Upholding Excellence.” Her leadership not only honored the institute’s proud legacy but also charted a bold path forward - one rooted in indigenous pedagogy, rural outreach, and modern teacher education.

This Teacher’s Day, it is not just the celebration of the teaching profession, but also the woman I am privileged to call my partner in life. Penny’s dedication, vision, and leadership are a reminder that education is more than teaching - it is about building futures, one student, one teacher, and one community at a time.

Newly Completed Multi-Purpose Education Centre, STS (Updated)

The mad rush to complete the new Education Centre at the Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) was finally over. When this centre was declared opened by the Chief Minister of Sabah this morning, certain areas were still off limit as they have yet to be fully completed yet.

 

When the seminary leadership committed the opening date so far in advance (when the reinforced concrete frame was half way done) and with all invitations sent out to all parts of the world, the building has to be completed by whatever mean. Somehow, by the grace of God, it was just ready literally at the last minutes!

Personally, I was not very happy with rushed job when contractor simply ignores good construction practice in the name of meeting the deadline !

One of the guest speakers for this occasion is this man called Morley Lee. I first met him in the sixties when I was just a secondary student attending the church youth convention in Sandakan where he was the convention speaker.

I consider him a man of exceptional quality in that he is the only speaker whose lectures I heard some forty years ago still inked deep in my mind.

I recalled he started by saying that we are all familiar with the Proverbs in the Old Testament. He asked, "Do you know that there are only three proverbs in the New Testament ?" Of course, I did not know then. He just used those three Proverbs for the theme of the Convention. The verses are still fresh in my mind:

2 Peter 2:22 "The dog turns back to his own vomit, and the sow is washed only to wallow in the mire".
John 4:37 "One sows and another reaps".
Luke 4:23 "Physician, heal yourself".

When we met yesterday and talked about that convention, he could not recall what he said. But when I mentioned the three Proverbs, he could immediately remember and was amazed of the impact of his sermon on me. He specifically asked to have a one-to-one photo taken and then emailed to me which is now uploaded.

Rev. Morley Lee and me ( in the sixties). How young we were then !! See, only b/w photo then!

30 April 2010