FLOODS (Learn from the Experience)

The writer believes that a beautiful camaraderie
 makes life a wonderful journey.

After almost one and a half months of break, schoolchildren are excited to return to school for a new academic year. These children miss their classmates and teachers. And, certainly, they want to wear their new uniforms and learn new things.

However, for flood victims, those feelings may be accompanied by hopes to go home again, eat proper meals and sleep soundly. How they wish the floods were only nightmares and they would wake up feeling relieved. Unfortunately, it was not a dream.

It is a thoughtful decision by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to delay the start of the school term by a week. It is hoped that the situation will improve soon so that parents and teachers will have enough time to clean their houses and repair the damage. The decision also benefits schools inundated by floodwaters or used as evacuation centres as the clean-up works can be done within the period.

While we pray for the best for the victims, we should realise that the pain that they endured during the floods will be worth it only if we learn the lessons and share them with others.

When natural disasters like earthquakes, blizzards and cyclones strike other countries, we try to make our children learn from those calamities but most of the time, the advice and reminders fall on deaf ears. But this time, nothing can beat the feeling of having to experience the disaster themselves.

I believe it is the best time to educate students on the valuable lessons learnt from the floods. Teachers should carry out sharing sessions with students to reflect on the floods experiences. This may teach children the values of humanity, appreciation, sensitivity, patience, empathy, inner strength and gratitude.

For example, children who were evacuated learn that patience and inner strength are needed to survive the disaster. They also need to realise that the disaster has brought people closer.  

As for those not affected, humanity is the most important lesson they need to learn. To help people in need is a noble act, while to give them moral support is a thoughtful gesture. They should feel blessed and thankful for being protected from the disaster.

Instilling good values in schoolchildren at the early part of the school term will form a strong base that helps learners to study hard, think positively, and live appreciatively.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

3 January 2015