Jarod Yong

A Form 2 class gets the pleasure of unboxing the books given by Second Time Around Books . In my last blog post, I wrote about a news article about me that I was displeased about . Before it was taken down, it caught the attention of a local entrepreneur. He contacted me about giving me some free English language children's books from the US. Being very aware that my students lack quality reading material catering to their low levels of proficiency, I jumped at the opportunity. My school library is well-managed by the teachers-in-charge but they lack the funds to splurge on quality books. They also have to cater to all the subjects taught at school. In my 6 years of service here, I have arranged for & received book donations from only 2 parties: a female warden at  UiTM Sarawak  who mobilised her hostel blocks to organise a charity fund-raiser & members of  the Aram Katibas! team  who donated their old children's books. However, this one from ...

Interviewed by The Sarawak Energy Newsroom - 15 August 2014 A few months ago, I was approached via email for an interview about my opinions of the importance of education to rural folk in Sarawak. The question pushed enough of my hot-buttons that I answered immediately & elaborately. I wanted to raise awareness about the education challenges & social issues in the part of rural Sarawak I serve in as well as call people to action. I guess my answer was so comprehensive that the news agency used it to publish an article on their site under my name. They also used a lot of pictures of me in it. Especially one big picture of me at the top of the article even before anyone read the text. I didn't like what I saw. I decided not to share the article & I emailed the journalist about my desires & intentions for answering her queries & how the article is might become a disservice to everything that I am trying to achieve in the jungle. I am no politician. ...

I applied for a transfer for the academic year beginning 2015. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, everyone. I'm not going to spend my entire life in the jungle. Some of you may have only recently come to know of my work but I've actually been serving here for 6 years already. This year, I have found something that I can leave behind which will yield long-term benefits to the rural community. Knowing that, I believe that it is time for me to move on. I am hungry for a new challenge & desiring to make a bigger impact. Let me make something clear. When I arrived 6 years ago in 2009, I made a conscious decision to root myself here for at least 4 years & work my butt off to see if I am worthy of being a teacher . I converted my bland government apartment into a swanky jungle bachelor pad (will take photos & show it off soon) as well as implemented various programmes & activities which promote the English language & develop the character of the students a...