Teachers Find Fulfillment in Rural Malaysia

Why this is here: Some students in remote Sarawak travel to hostels and live apart from their parents from as young as seven years old to attend school.

Nur ‘Afrina, a teacher from Kedah, Malaysia, spent five years at Sekolah Kebangsaan Dunstan Seduku in Sri Aman, Sarawak. She initially hoped to teach closer to home, but found the experience transformative despite unreliable electricity and internet. Daily commutes involved navigating 45km roads prone to flooding, sometimes requiring an hour’s wait for waters to recede.

Valentine Doimis, formerly a technician in Kota Kinabalu, now teaches at Sekolah Kebangsaan Lusong Laku in Belaga, Sarawak. He faced a ten-hour journey through difficult terrain to reach his post and continues to live apart from his wife. Both teachers noted the resilience of their students, many of whom board at school from age seven to access education.

They emphasize that teaching in remote locations requires patience and adaptability, but yields unique rewards. The educators continue to seek ways to support students and refine their approaches to teaching in challenging environments.