An Old Friend

Last week, I was very happy to meet an old friend of mine, from our days in Chua Chu Kang Secondary in the 90s, Pak Chik Samat. He is one of those friends who you never forget as he went through many school events and experiences with you.

 

 

Pak Chik was originally employed as a school warden when CCK was started by Ms Sum Chee Wah, the Principal in 1992. Before the first pupils arrived at the beginning of 1993, he guarded the school premises day and night. Once the school began operation, he was then employed as a gardener.

During those initial days, stocky Pak Chik, TSO Zulkiflee and I decided to transform the garden scape of the school. Bonsai plant, Wrightia was planted along the front fence boundary of the school. These plants are now more than 20 years old!!!! Many fruit and spice trees were also planted around the school besides the normal trees which NEA?PPD provided, to create a kampung atmosphere. Go into CCK compound now and you know what I meant.

Pak Chik also followed us to school camps outside school. He was such an integral part of the school then.

                                    Pak Chik with Mr Lee A L, Zulkiflee and his father-in-law
                                   Pak Chik's favorite food : Mee Goreng with potatoes

When I met him again last week, I can't help to have a sense of helplessness initially. However as we chatted I sensed an air of optimism and hope even at an age of 75. He is on a wheelchair and spent the weekdays in Swami Home (Sembawang). He has to learn to reuse his once powerful limbs again through a variety of exercises. However, his ever smile and optimism made me saw a light in a tunnel and is confident that he will lead a satisfactory life, though his problems cannot be easily solved. I have never manage to hold a good conversation with him, like chicken and duck. He understands but cannot speak in English. I can understand basic Malay but cannot speak it. However, somehow, we understand each other all this time!! An endearing part is that he always call me Mr Whoosh....

Pak Chik - retired in 2000. AM Wilson presenting him a gift from staff





Life as An Adjunct Teacher

It was reported this week in Straits Times that more and more retired teachers rejoined the service as either Flexi-Adjunct (FAJT) or Contract Adjunct (CAJT) teachers. I am very thankful that after one year of being a FAJT, I was offered to continue as a CAJT in the school next year. As a retiree who still wishes to be occupied, in mind, soul and body, and being a teacher for all my life, it was a big lift  for my spirit when I was told about it. Somehow, not being a normal full time teacher can sap one's spirit and lower one self esteem if you allow them to manifest.

The Reason
Why did I want to continue in the present school? I believed that a positive school culture towards everyone is the main reason. I decided to retire 'immaturely' as a key personnel (KP) could be due to my previous school's leaders 'vibes'. Being appreciated, whoever you are,  is also one of the reason. Also, the being 'just a teacher' feeling is one lost forgotten feeling since the days I left Institute of Education as a virgin teacher. You just prepare your lesson and facilitate learning!!

FAJT vs CAJT:
The former is like a relief teacher (RT). Three months (one term) contract renewed termly. Salary based on hourly rate ($38 per hour for a graduate teacher) subjected to a maximum number of hours per contract. No other benefits are given. If you are sick, too bad, you are not paid for the MC. Good thing is that you can care less about others things happening around the school if you wish to. When the hour is up you just pack up and go. Of course there are also FAJT who stayed beyond the hours for the benefits of the pupils.
CAJT is like a normal teacher. You are given a year's contract subjected to passing a medical checkup, paid by MoE, at Raffles Medical Centre. There is an element of uncertainty as RMC will not give a copy of the report to you. I was told that we only know whether we passed the medical in Jan, after we have joined the school, starting December 26 (so that we can attend the Staff & Department meetings before the new term starts, I think).  The yearly Performance Bonus (PB) may be paid subjected to good performance. However, DON'T expect the high end of the payment. The Principal decides whether we are subjected to performance ranking review by a KP or not. I heard that many Principal forgo the review for CAJT. However, SOME enthusiastic KPs may want to be heard in the name of developing and 'setting targets' with the CAJT. It showed 'POWER' in capital, for some of them, which is not uncommon in schools.
As a 3/4 workload CAJT, one needs not to be a form teacher or be in charge of a CCA. However, he may be asked to join an ad-hoc or event committee.

Looking forward to New Year
I believed that as a 'retired teacher', one has to count small blessings that come our way in our everyday life back in school. One just cannot go back to the former self. One also must not put up as a threat to narrow minded people who are afraid that we will break their rice bowl. Nowadays, there are so many SH posts and thus much more number of KPs (yes, in some schools, all their SHs are in the School Management Committee). These are younger group of teachers, 5 to 10 years service usually, who may felt uneasy if they have an 'old ginger' in their midst. So, don't act like you will be a threat!!!

2024 UPDATE

My stint as a Contract Adjunct Teacher ended in 2023, after 10 years in the school. In 2024, I became a Flexi-Adjunct teacher.  The present policy is that a teacher, above 70 years of age,  can only be given 50% teaching load maximum while performing CCA, Form teachership or a School Committee while being paid only 50% of the salary. What kind of deal is that esp if  one's CCA is a core one (I was previously asked to be Wushu which is the core one in my school) and many hours were needed to be present. 

When back in school, horrors upon horrors, my education account was deleted. I am a nobody, have to reapply for the account and set up my email again.... the digital age when all data can be cleared.

The appointment is to be renewed termly ie quarterly. No benefits like medical or school holidays were appropriated. As long as you did not work, zero renumeration. not to mention Annual or Performance bonus. The saddest part is that one is NOT PAID a cent if you are present for school celebrations like Lunar New Year, Founder's Day, Honour's Day, Youth Day,  even Teacher's Day unless you are invited by KP and has specific duties to perform. In other words, you must be 'student engaged'!!!

The only difference from a Relief Teacher is that FADJT has a term contract. So, it seemed that a FADJT is a digit in the school system. One come on time, finish the day's duty and just leave. No further incentive to stay back as there is a MAXIMUN WAGE for each set of 15 days, equivalent to a maximum working hours of 7, five days per week.