The world of Tzu Chi December 2024 (Vol.152)

13 TZU CHI 152 camera without being prompted, and actively asks questions, even those outside the syllabus, to broaden her knowledge.” Princy, like many of her peers, faced significant language hurdles transitioning from a Tamil primary school to a Malay-medium secondary school. Jia Jun’s creative, game- based teaching approach, however, eased the process. “I really like Mr. Yap’s classes. He plays games with us, and that boosted my interest in Malay. With his guidance, my scores improved from failing to 58 marks in my recent exam—a big step forward!” Princy said. In addition to imparting knowledge, Jia Jun consistently inspires his students in various ways. Princy recounted, “I used to struggle with writing, but Mr. Yap encouraged me to read more and taught me how to translate Tamil into Malay. This helped me improve my Malay tremendously.” Having benefitted from the method, Princy now assists her classmates by translating Malay lessons into Tamil, making it easier for them to comprehend. Princy also cherishes small rewards from Jia Jun. Though modest, these gifts carry great significance. “I use the bookmark Mr. Yap gave me in my storybooks. It reminds me to keep going,” Princy said. Jia Jun revealed that he implemented the reward system after witnessing the effectiveness of appreciation education. “It works wonders in encouraging students to turn on their cameras and participate actively. This helps me to better assess their understanding of the material,” he explained. Teaching with heart For students like Princy, Jia Jun’s patience and guidance have been transformative. Overcoming her initial shyness and fear of making mistakes, Princy now actively participates in class discussions. She shared, “When I answered incorrectly, Mr. Yap did not scold me. Instead, he guided me until I found the right answer.” Princy’s mother, Krishnaveni a/p Paramasiram, who often observes the classes, also noted Jia Jun’s attentiveness and patience. She praised him as a good teacher and a role model for her daughter. She used to feel upset that the family could not afford tuition for Princy despite her poor grades. However, she is now filled with gratitude and relief seeing her child’s improvement. She hopes that Jia Jun will continue teaching so more children can benefit. Although Jia Jun’s commitment to “i·didik” requires him to sacrifice much of his personal time, he has remained undeterred. He understands that these students come from underprivileged backgrounds and lack access to private tuition. “Seeing them cherish the resources provided by Tzu Chi, and their eagerness to learn, spur me on.” As a teacher at an international school, Jia Jun recognises the growing importance of education in today’s world. “Children from well-off families naturally have access to educational resources. But for those who lack resources, isn’t it incredibly meaningful if we, as teachers, can help them improve?” Jia Jun is moved by the shared dedication of everyone within the “i·didik” team, selflessly giving their time and striving to help underprivileged children. He feels honoured to be part of a team united by the same belief—to uplift and empower those in need.