Saturday, 20th June 2009 is a day to remember for about 300 teachers in the Klang Valley as they joined in the Christian Teachers’ Day Celebration 2009. Held at St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya, this annual event to inspire the commitment of Christian teachers was organized by the Malayan Christian Schools Council in collaboration with the Catholic Teachers’ Association, the Teachers’ Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union.

The theme this year was ‘Staying the Course”. Those present were greatly blessed by the wit, insight as well as wealth of knowledge and experience shared by the speaker, Miss Seah Jiak Choo, the recently retired Director-General of Education in Singapore. In her inspiring talk, Miss Seah shared poignant anecdotes in the course of her distinguished career as teacher, Ministry of Education officer and finally as Director-General of Education.

Miss Seah captivated her audience by touching on the realities and challenges in present-day teaching and why teachers need to stay the course and be faithful to their calling as teachers. She started her message with John 17:4. Jesus brought glory to the Father by completing the work He (the Father) had sent Him to do. Likewise we bring glory to God on earth by completing the work He gave us to do. Paul, the apostle was able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race…” ( 2 Tim 4:7), in other words, ‘I have stayed the course and finished the work.’ Jesus came to serve. Service involves sacrifice. For Jesus it was the ultimate sacrifice. If we pursueservice to others as service to God, our lives would have meaning and focus. As teachers, we can glorify God by serving our schools and each child we teach has a chance to be touched by us. She urged teachers to rethink what is driving them as teachers, how to stay the course and follow the example of Jesus. Her talk stressed on three important things Christian teachers should do to stay the course. Firstly, as teachers we should be driven by a purpose; a compelling God given purpose to complete the work He has given each one of us to do. Secondly, to stay the course, discipline is needed; the discipline of controlling oneself and the discipline of consistency of values. Thirdly, teachers need to be energized by renewal; teachers need a supply of resources and need to draw upon the grace of God to continually stay on course.

The celebration which started with a time of praise and worship led by Mr Michael Lee of Methodist College ended with a closing prayer by the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, Rt Rev Ng Moon Hing. This was followed by high-tea and a time of fellowship at the Dewan St Paul.

Ms Tay Choon Neo
Deputy Executive Director
Council of Education