PENANG INTERNATIONAL ACTION RESEARCH SEMINAR 2009 ( PIARS 2009 )

23.08.2009 ( Sunday )

On the 10th of August I recieved a letter from my PK Kokurikulum, asking me to attend a seminar in SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang from the 11th until 13th of August 2009.

It was the PENANG INTERNATIONAL ACTION RESEARCH SEMINAR 2009.

Action Research in Classrooms: Towards Achieving High Quality Teaching and Learning.

The seminar was organized by the Penang State Education Department.

It was from 8am - 4.30pm.

I have heard and read about it, but to attend a seminar on the matter is a privilage for me.

From 11th of August Tuesday I went to SEAMEO RECSAM in Gelugur, Penang to attend the seminar. From 8am the registration according the districts. There I met some of my friends who are teaching in various schools in Penang, some are very senior teachers there. This is one of the reason I wanted to attend the seminar; to get to know teachers from Penang.

On day 1, we were asked to go in separate rooms according the primary & secondary schools.

For the Secondary school teachers, there were 15 presenters. They spoke for various subjects, such as BM, English, History, Geography, Physics, Mathemathics, Discipline, Teaching & Learning methods. This went for the 2nd & 3rd day. Some of the presentations were interesting. Apart from gaining some new input, I also managed to get to know some of the teachers from others school, especially those who are teaching English.

Overall, it was a very good learning experience. Hope to attend other seminars related to teaching & learning.

HARI KEMERDEKAAN KE 52

23.08.2009 ( Sunday )

Tema hari kemerdekaan ke 52 ialah

1 MALAYSIA, RAKYAT DIDAHULUKAN, PENCAPAIAN DIUTAMAKAN.

H1N1

03.082009 ( Monday ).

The day started as usual. SMK Mengkuang is the venue for the
Program Rakan Muda Sekolah " Selamat Di Jalan Raya" Bersama Wazi Boyz Club.

The event was divided into 2 M7 ( 14 schools ) & M8 ( 15 schools ) cluster.

The morning session at 8am M7 schools about 14 of them will bring 28 students with 2 teachers for the activity. As one of the person incharge in coordinating the program I went to have a look at the program. At the school hostel's canteen, they had powerpoint presentations on road safety & practical session for the students around the school compound.

At about 11am when I was about to enter my class, another teacher informed me 1 form 5 boy lying on the floor & having breathing difficulties. The friends helped him on the strecther & brought him down to the school van and took him to BM hospital. With the school students & staffs wearing masks because of the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

Before this, last Thursday on 30th some of the school students were sent to clinics for check up because most of them were having high fever, flu & coughing. Prior to that, The Bainun Teachers' Training college which is situated just opposite SMK Mengkuang was closed.

IKBN was also closed for a few days.

BUT SMK Mengkuang was NOT.

After the form 5 boy was sent to hospital, the school admin called the health department to inform the situation. About 11.30am, 2 officers from Seberang Perai health department came to school to inform the notice of closure of the SMK Mengkuang Bukit Mertajam will take effect from 3rd till 9th of August.

The teachers had a meeting, lead by the PK Ko Kurikulum, En. Aidi to inform the situation & the students were given advice & the inform them the school closure notice & we were informed we were given leave BUT must be replaced later.

I believe, before all the school students, teachers & staffs were asked to go on leave, it would be better if the health department check those who may have the early signs of the virus, atleast check their body temperature. BUT, it was not carried out. May be they have their own reasons, but wouldn't it be better to screen the students, teachers & the staffs.

Since the notice of closure of the school was anounced, my friend & I who were incharge of the Rakan Muda program went to inform the organizers about the situation & to inform them none of SMK Mengkuang students will take any part in the program due to the closure of the school & all the students including those who stay in the school hostel were asked to go home & were fetched by their parents. The second session due to start at 2pm with another 15 schools from M8 Cluster will be in SMK Mengkuang. They insisted on carrying out the program. Their stand was the program must go on. I also informed other school teachers about the situation because it is in the interest of all the students & the teachers who will be in SMK Mengkuang for the second session of the Rakan Muda program.

Most of the teachers & students left the school by 2pm. We were advised to take care of our health & limit our movements or even self quarantine at home.

Pray & Hope the situation would be back to normal soon.

The school will reopen on 10th August.

04.08.2009

1pm.