Malaysian social media was recently all abuzz with the news of the secondary school student who was caned by a teacher for calling him a “pondan” or “ah gua.” There were people who supported the student while some were on the teacher’s side.
Source: Facebook
In light of all this controversy, netizens who claim that they are his students or even former pupils have stepped forward to shed light on the male teacher’s usual behaviour.
One girl shared her experience with the teacher, explaining that he taught her Bahasa Malaysia and the post has since gone viral. She said,
“He is my class teacher and is always a great teacher, he has taught me for three to four years.
“In the beginning, I did not like the subject but he was patient and kind with me as he was worried that I would not do well in my SPM. Because of him, I got good results for BM in SPM.”
Source: Facebook
She explained that they would always joke and laugh together with no malicious intent. She added that students who have been taught by him would know very well that he is usually good-tempered and it would take something really outrageous for him to get so angry as he had never raised his hand against them before.
“Don’t tell me that he was very heavy handed with the cane. Look at the students last time, they went through the same thing! Or are the people now so soft that they cannot handle any punishment?
“I believe in my teacher, if a teacher is really that bad I don’t think anyone will step forward to defend him but I still do this even after I have graduated.
“I did not say who is wrong or right in this issue but you can use your own judgment to decide,” she concluded.
Source: Facebook
In a popular Facebook group, other netizens also shared their own experience with the teacher in the comments.
“From young, we were taught to respect our elders and many seniors who have graduated from the school have stepped forward in support of the teacher. Many people who defended the rude student said that if you do not have any children yourself, you wouldn’t understand but if a child of yours insults you, what would you do?”
Lobak Merah shared that another netizen also vouched for him, saying, “Well, guys he was my BM teacher and he taught me for five years. I know him for eight years now and he’s really good. Because of him, I am now fluent in BM and thanks to the teachers in school who caned me when I was naughty, I am able to go to university.”
Source: Facebook
Many of them said that he is a good teacher and because of him, they managed to learn BM well and were able to converse in the language. They agreed that he had a very good temper and the other student must have done something really bad to make him so furious.
Is this a case of “spare the rod and spoil the child” or something else? What are your thoughts on this issue? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Malaysians are Supporting Teacher Who Caned Schoolgirl for Calling Him “Pondan”
