Retired Teachers Can Continue Contributing To Society
DALAT: Retirement from service does not mean retired teachers are retiring from the world of education and humanity; instead, their experience, knowledge, and values can still be continuously contributed to society.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, who is also Dalat Assemblywoman, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, said that retired teachers possess vast experience that is immensely valuable in guiding the younger generation, supporting families, and strengthening community development.
"Retirement merely ends official duties as a teacher, but it never ends the values, knowledge, and inner calling of an educator.
“A teacher's classroom is never truly closed. Only its walls change to become broader,” she said.
She said this when speaking at the Dalat Retired Teachers Gathering Ceremony at the Dalat Welfare Complex on Monday.
According to Dato Sri Fatimah, after retiring, former teachers can continue to contribute through various avenues in society, such as community halls, libraries, residents' associations, youth activity centres, learning spaces, and community activities.
She noted that the experience of retired teachers can be utilized to guide children in reading and writing, help young people build self-confidence, and share experiences related to education, careers, and life.
“Retired teachers can also play a role in preserving local language, literature, oral history, and culture, which are important treasures to be recorded and passed down to the new generation.
"The contributions of retired teachers to society should be carried out through suitable approaches, including humility, a readiness to listen, and understanding community needs.
"This is because society does not necessarily need individuals who arrive with all the answers; rather, they also need people willing to listen, appreciate experiences, and help find solutions," she added.
In line with this, she encouraged retired teachers to continue choosing avenues to contribute based on their respective capabilities, health, and interests, whether in education, literature, culture, welfare, youth guidance, or community development.
She said that contributions to society do not necessarily have to begin with large-scale programmes, but can instead start through small actions performed sincerely and continuously. — UKASnews
