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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL WEEK 1

(15TH

JULY 2013 UNTIL 19TH

JULY 2013)

STUDENTS NAME : SYAHIRA BINTI ISMAIL@SHAARI

GROUP : T3 TESL 2

SCHOOLS NAME : SEKOLAH KEBANGSAAN SUNGAI PINANGDATE : 19

THJULY 2013

ISSUE: ABSENTEEISM

This week marks my first week in Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Pinang. It

reminds me my first primary school in Bandar Baharu Kedah. The view is breathtaking

and its breathtaking view melts my heart every single day. I love to be surrounded by

such view though it is quite far from city and modernization. It is a small located in a sub

urban area in Penang. Most pupils come from fisherman family. Some of their parents

work as factory workers. That answers my question about the academic performance

and the percentage of absentees to school. This school has a quite high percentage of

absentees. According to a teacher in this school, among the reasons given by the pupils

are taking care of their sisters and brothers and no one wakes them up. From my

personal opinion, that should be the reasons because their job is to come to school

every morning. It is the parents job to take care of their small children and to wake their

children up and sent them to school.

Apart from that, most parents are very sensitive if their children get to be

punished by their teachers. It is a normal reflect from parents because I know, they love

their children more than anything else in this world. But, sometimes, when there is no

more choice, punishment can be the best way to help teachers to educate and to give

lesson to their children. I still remember when I was still in primary school, my former

English teacher, Mr Chin would bring his cane into the classroom and punish those who

could not spell five new English words correctly in front of him. That was the way he

teaches and educates me to be human. I dare not to report to my parents because it will

only affect my reputation in front of my siblings and I know they will never scold my

teachers. From my personal view, every child needs to face and experience such

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experience too. School corporal punishment is still relevant to educate human to

become human. According to an experienced teacher in this school, parents in this area

are very sensitive if we ask them to give reasons why their children absentees problem.

Childrens brains are like sponges. They can absorb things easily but nothing can be

done if they keep on absent. They will be lost and it will deter their spirit to learn.

Therefore, in order to promote 100 percent attendance, the school has started to

announce the class with the highest percentage of attendance during assembly. A

special present will be given to any classes which successfully maintain the highest

percentage. Letters have been sent to the parents selected in order to inform about their

childrens problems. The school has spent a day to call upon every parent to discuss

about their children performance and problems. Some parents do not turn up during the

day. Instead, they sent their other children to replace their job as parents. That shows

their inner side and how much they pay attention to their children.

FEELINGS AND OPINIONS

I am so sad to accept that my race does not do well academically.

Parents who do not send their child to school currently face amaximum fine

of $375 for a first offence and $750 for further offences. These penalties

generally have not changed since the legislation started in 1989 and shouldbetter reflect the growing importance of education to future employment

opportunities. Increasing the penalties will also help to bring these fines into

line with other Australian jurisdictions.

Those are the penalties for parents who do not sent their children to school and

take their responsible to educate their children lightly in Australia. Looking into the

seriousness of absenteeism problem among pupils in my current school, I would very

glad and happy if our government could enforce the same law to the parents so they will

know their responsibilities and do not always turn their head and point their fingers to

teachers when it comes to educating children.

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ANALYSIS

This problem happens due to the lack of attention from parents. It is our

responsibility as teachers to educate children but it will never turn out to be effective if

there is no cooperation and attention from parents. From my personal point of view, this

problem arises due to lack of attention from parents. The parents do not see the

importance for their children to come to school regularly.

WAYS TO IMPROVE

Being a practicum teacher, my circle work is only to educate and to prepare the best

lesson for my pupils. In order to help them to improve the attendance percentage, I

have enforced a rule in my classroom. I will make the pupils give reasons why they do

not turn up to schoolboy writing a simple sentence in a 555 notebook.

ALLOCATED TIME

I have enforced my classroom rule during my first lesson with my pupils and

make them write the rule in their exercise book. It is to make sure that they can

remember and comprehend my rules. I hope I could help to improve the attendance

percentage in this school and make the small children undertand why they should come

to school every day.

Supervisor,

( )

Student,

( )

Mentor teacher,

( )