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This past week, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my Primary 6 grand daughter had been given the Tokoh Akademic Award by her school, one of the top schools in Ipoh.

I knew that she was an excellent student, was intelligent, and was hardworking. Her achievement was not unexpected but it came as a pleasant surprise.

We now pray that she will continue with her form in Secondary school.

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Which brings me to my own academic non achievements in school.

When I was in Primary 1, not only was school a daze but life in general was confusing. I was 7 and the year was 1957. I got left behind at Ipoh Padang on the night of the Merdeka celebrations. I did not know how to go home even though home was 2 streets away. My elder brother saved me. He came to fetch me home. “Stop hanging around, it’s late.” He did not know that I needed saving.

Years later, in 1966, he would save me from drowning but not even know that I was drowning. Fifty years later, I thanked him but he could not remember the incident.

Back to Primary 1 and my confused state. I don’t remember much of it. Time drifted by. In reality, I drifted along. Suddenly, it was the last day of school.

The Headmaster went from classroom to classroom. He entered our classroom with a large container of toffee. Real English toffee!

Our class teacher called out the names of the top 10 students. The first boy received 10 toffees and I received 1 toffee. I was number 10, you see.

Teacher said, “Study hard to get toffee next year.”

Great motivation for everyone, especially for me.

Life in Primary 2 drifted by. At last, the last day arrived, D-Day, when we would be rewarded. All school day, I waited. You see, I was 2nd in class and also 2nd in all of Primary 2. I would be promoted to Primary 4 next year!

All I cared about and longed for were the 9 toffees due to me! I waited for the arrival of the Headmaster with his container of toffee.

Nothing of the sort happened. He never came. To my question, “Where is the Headmaster with the toffee?” our class teacher replied that last year’s policy had been discontinued.

That was the GREATEST DEMOTIVATOR in my school life.

Never again would I strive to achieve anything academically. Demotivated, I got to the point where about the only subject I passed until I finished Secondary 5 was English.

Motivation would eventually come when I was 20 but that is another narrative. For another day.

Today, I am 73 going on 74, and I have 5 degrees.

Yet, Prize-giving Days have eluded me.

My sons did well. They had Prize-giving Days.

My grand daughter, her elder brother and her younger brother are the ones receiving awards nowadays. That makes 3 grand children who are high achievers, all credit to their parents.

There are 2 younger grandchildren who have all the signs of becoming high achievers. I pray that God grant me many more years to see that happen.

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