Living Skills

The Less Academically Inclined

Every year at this time the school has the responsibility of meeting the requests of stakeholders in the future plans of the form 4 students. Stakeholders and students ask for packages which are sometimes beyond consideration because of academic results. Many plead, cry and at times demand for places which are difficult to fulfill. So the school takes the brunt and 'answer' to the requests.
In some cases, we advise them for vocational studies and acquire skills that may earn them a decent living and enough to survive comfortably. But alas, whenever we try to persuade them, we face an uphill task convincing them... no,no,no... 'how can you even suggest my child does a vocational alternative?'; the expression seems to say.

But I have a story to tell about Ah Hwa.

Ah Hwa is neighbour to my parents' shop in town. I have known Ah Hwa and wife since they first got married. I used to visit my parents in the then days and became friends to Ah Hwa and wife. I see them struggle between business and building a new home. Soon, Ah Hwa and wife became parents to 2 girls and 2 boys. Not a day passed when they did not open their shop for business unless on a Sunday.
Ah Hwa and wife speak and understand some English; though their main mode of communication are in the Malay and Chinese languages. So they did go to school until their secondary school days but did not make the academic mark. So what?
They have values that see them through good and meaningful living. They did not go to the university but they manage a business that grows every year. I know they are now the proud owners not only of the premise they are in but also a couple of other shops along the main road of the town.
Sad but true, I find even hard to possess a shop lot; Ah Hwa aims and gets it. So what if I had been an academically inclined person and I had been to the university? At the end of the day, it is the life we lead that counts.

Everyday, Ah Hwa and wife will display these baskets of flowers on the 5 foot way to attract customers.

They will diligently carry the rolls of linoleum and I see them cut meters after meters at the requests of customers.

They sell tapestry materials too and try to meet all sorts of needs to draw profit and business.

Come festive times, they close their business way beyond midnight to cater to the requests of many and take the opportunity to earn as much as they can to cover duller months of the year. They work hard; but who doesn't have too? Teachers included.
Today I also know Ah Hwa's children have done well in school. They cannot afford overseas education but I know the first sibling went to a local public university and has graduated in Chemistry whereas sibling number 2 has been offered a place too.

The moral of the story is encourage learning that best suits the child and instill values that will see them through in life; even if it means being a seamstress, a hairdresser or even a mechanic.

By the way the hairdresser I went to last weekend earn more money in an hour than me; Rm200.00 in an hour. Thanks to vocational skills.

To the less academically inclined; the future is just as rosy if not more.