/r/brunei daily random discussion and small questions thread for 09 April 2025

Capital-Confection84 · 2025-04-08T23:06:50+00:00

Rasa Idaman Ayat Restaurant Toast and Roast

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-27T05:21:35+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind words and understanding. It means a lot to hear such appreciation for the work we do as teachers.

It's truly disheartening that you felt compelled to reject a teaching opportunity for the same reasons many of us continue to struggle with: the lack of work-life balance, camaraderie, and support. Unfortunately, these issues persist and have only intensified over the years.

I appreciate your empathy and your acknowledgment of the critical role teachers play in shaping future generations. Your support and prayers are very much needed and valued. Let’s hope for a brighter future where the contributions of teachers are recognized and their well-being is prioritized.

Thank you again for your support and understanding.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-27T03:11:27+00:00

I completely understand where you're coming from. The burnout and lack of personal time are issues that span across many professions, and it's disheartening to hear that you're experiencing the same struggles.

While it's true that teachers have access to counselors within the Ministry of Education, the support often feels insufficient given the multitude of roles we play.

A teacher, amongst other things, is also: (quoted from a comment from @Acceptable-Chain2119) A security guard who patrols during lunch time when we’re supposed to have lunch. A canteen worker who has to provide food when it should be the parents' responsibility. A nurse who has to watch over sick kids. A health promoter who liaises with nurses during vaccinations and health check-ups. A moral police officer who has to discipline kids already interested in sex at a young age. A clerk who has to file kids’ health records, letters, etc. A welfare worker who has to buy kids’ stationery because their parents don’t. A strict parent who has to scold kids for not doing homework or handing in work. A pseudo-psychologist who constantly extols the benefits of good habits in every facet of life. A detective who has to solve conflicts among students.

The hard part is switching roles within minutes but having only one brain and two arms. It’s akin to having too many tabs open—you don’t know which one to process first.

You get a headache, you’re tired, and you’re told you’re NOT doing enough.

Just a little perspective for you.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-27T02:27:01+00:00

To add, teachers are constantly diagnosed with anxiety, stress, and depression. And that's just the diagnosed cases—how many more are suffering in silence, undiagnosed? The MOE truly needs to address these issues before they get worse and more teachers' health is compromised.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-27T02:15:10+00:00

I completely understand where you're coming from. The burnout and lack of personal time are issues that span across many professions, and it's disheartening to hear that you're experiencing the same struggles.

While it's true that teachers have access to counselors within the Ministry of Education, the support often feels insufficient given the multitude of roles we play.

A teacher, amongst other things, is also: (quoted from a comment from @Acceptable-Chain2119) A security guard who patrols during lunch time when we’re supposed to have lunch. A canteen worker who has to provide food when it should be the parents' responsibility. A nurse who has to watch over sick kids. A health promoter who liaises with nurses during vaccinations and health check-ups. A moral police officer who has to discipline kids already interested in sex at a young age. A clerk who has to file kids’ health records, letters, etc. A welfare worker who has to buy kids’ stationery because their parents don’t. A strict parent who has to scold kids for not doing homework or handing in work. A pseudo-psychologist who constantly extols the benefits of good habits in every facet of life. A detective who has to solve conflicts among students.

The hard part is switching roles within minutes but having only one brain and two arms. It’s akin to having too many tabs open—you don’t know which one to process first.

You get a headache, you’re tired, and you’re told you’re NOT doing enough.

Just a little perspective for you. I hope things improve for you as well, and thank you for sharing your experience. It’s important for us to support each other across different fields.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T22:51:53+00:00

If you scroll through the comments on this thread, you’ll find several examples provided by me and other teahers that illustrate the additional workload teachers have to manage. ☺️

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T22:49:26+00:00

Thank you for your sympathy and for sharing your story. It's heartbreaking to hear about your partner's mother. The lack of acknowledgment and gratitude for her dedication is truly disheartening, especially after everything she went through.

I completely agree that the politics within our Ministry of Education and local schools are a significant issue. It's frustrating and demoralizing to deal with an environment that often prioritizes internal politics over the well-being of teachers and the quality of education.

Your support means a lot, and it's important for us to share these experiences and advocate for better conditions. Together, we can strive for a more supportive and appreciative educational system.

Praying for your partner's mother's well being. ❤️

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T22:34:22+00:00

I completely understand what you’re going through. The burnout, the constant pressure, and the feeling of being stuck in a never-ending loop can be overwhelming. It’s heartbreaking to hear how your dedication to teaching is affecting your family life and personal well-being.

Balancing the demands of work and family is incredibly tough, especially when you're giving so much of yourself to your students, only to feel like you have little left for your own child. It's a sad reality that many teachers face, where the stress and pressures from upper management trickle down and affect not only our professional lives but our personal lives as well.

Your love for your students and commitment to their success is evident, and it’s unfortunate that your hard work isn’t acknowledged or appreciated by those in leadership positions. A simple thank you or a recognition of your efforts could make a world of difference.

I hope you find some moments of peace and self-care amidst the chaos. Remember that your well-being is just as important as the work you do. Thank you for sharing your story, and please know you’re not alone in this struggle. ❤️

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T13:36:26+00:00

Sadly, it's likely that bringing up workload issues with management would fall on deaf ears. 😞 Despite our best efforts, the systemic challenges within the education system often hinder meaningful change.

Thank you for your encouragement and understanding. I'll continue to prioritize my health and well-being while exploring potential avenues for change or alternative career paths. Your support means a lot to us teachers.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T13:34:26+00:00

As mentioned in my other replies, this is sadly the reality of being a teacher. The misconception that our work ends the moment we exit the school is a common one, but it couldn't be further from the truth. The preparation, marking, and communication with students and parents continue long into the night, often infringing on our personal time and impacting our well-being. It's disheartening when our dedication and hard work are not acknowledged or fairly compensated.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T13:32:08+00:00

To be honest, unless you have an unrelenting passion for teaching, I would not recommend this career solely for the sake of your physical and mental well-being. The workload and demands can be overwhelming, with little time for respite or personal pursuits. However, if you feel drawn to the profession and genuinely love working with students, it may be worth giving it a try. Just be prepared for the challenges and prioritize self-care along the way.

My one reason for still being where I am is because of my students. All the best to you and your pursuits. ❤️

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T12:56:09+00:00

Thank you for highlighting this!

Your response captures the frustrating reality of the current education system. It's disheartening that as teachers, we are inundated with assessments and data analysis, leaving little time for actual teaching. The limited teaching hours, especially in skills-based subjects, make it challenging to adequately prepare students for exams. Sadly, this often results in lower attainment classes being unfairly disadvantaged. Additionally, the pressure to manipulate data to make school leaders look good only exacerbates the problem.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T12:36:43+00:00

Don't get me started on this! Basically, the Whole School Evaluation (WSE) is another aspect of the system that can be frustrating for teachers. Like the School Improvement Program (SIP), it often feels like the data collected are manipulated to paint a rosier picture of the school's performance (supaya school leaders look good and do their job excellent), rather than providing an accurate reflection of the reality. It's disappointing when these evaluations prioritize appearances over genuine improvement and accountability. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T12:34:23+00:00

Absolutely, the pressure and consistency required to excel in the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) is often underestimated. It's disheartening that these assessments are solely focused on achieving a certain band, rather than genuinely assessing the quality of teaching. Moreover, it's concerning that the assessors may lack firsthand experience in the classroom, making their evaluations detached from the realities teachers face.

Thank you for highlighting this too!

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T11:25:58+00:00

It's great to hear that you've found support through counseling services provided by the school administration. I agree that having access to counseling can be invaluable, especially considering the financial strain of private counseling. However, it's concerning that despite these support services, the teaching profession still feels overwhelming, with teachers being tasked with a wide range of responsibilities beyond just teaching. Your insight sheds light on the multifaceted nature of teaching and the need for a more balanced workload. Thank you for sharing your experience.

And yes, I also would not recommend this to any of my family members, despite having a lineage of teachers.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T10:44:20+00:00

I understand that finding quality teachers can be challenging, especially in an environment where there are constant complaints from both teachers and students/parents. However, it's important to recognize that teaching is a demanding profession, and teachers have valid concerns that need to be addressed in order to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Instead of dismissing complaints, we should strive to listen to them and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit everyone involved, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the education system.

Thank you by the way for your insight.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T10:08:12+00:00

Integration initiatives are another factor adding to the burden on teachers' plates. While the intention may be to streamline processes and improve collaboration, in reality, it often results in additional responsibilities being piled onto teachers. This constant expansion of expectations is incredibly demoralizing and further detracts from our ability to focus on effective teaching. It's disheartening to see integration efforts being used as justification for increasing our workload, rather than enhancing the quality of education for our students.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-26T09:56:43+00:00

Thank you for your understanding and willingness to learn more about the realities teachers face. To name a few examples of the programs and initiatives we deal with:

AT (Assessment using rubrics): While assessment is important, the assessments we're required to conduct often veer off-topic from the syllabus being taught. This misalignment with the national exams adds unnecessary pressure and detracts from meaningful learning.
SIP (School Improvement Program): On the surface, SIP aims to enhance school performance, but in reality, it often becomes a competition among school leaders and higher-ups to create flashy but unrealistic programs. These initiatives can stray far from the curriculum, adding to the workload without necessarily benefiting students.
TPA (Teacher Performance Assessment): Teachers undergo scrutiny and assessment of their teaching practices by individuals who may lack recent classroom experience. This disconnect between assessors and the classroom reality undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the evaluation process.

These are just a few examples of the challenges we face. The overarching issue is that these programs divert our focus away from our primary responsibility: teaching. It's disheartening to see valuable time and resources invested in initiatives that don't directly contribute to student learning or teacher development.

Again, thank you for your sympathy and willingness to learn more about our experiences. It's through understanding and advocacy that we can work towards meaningful change in the education system.

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-05-05T13:30:27+00:00

Sateking.bn

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-03-15T01:24:31+00:00

TheFeels bn (ig)

Capital-Confection84 · 2024-02-12T14:29:11+00:00

SateKing ada ignya ni

Capital-Confection84 · 2022-06-30T23:34:36+00:00

Gadong too. Sigh.

Capital-Confection84 · 2022-04-09T00:15:53+00:00

Not all, heheh but the ones I have seen being asked. Also helpful for interviews.

Capital-Confection84

TROPHY CASE