JAE

Just came back from my JAE duty today. Had afternoon shift - prime time slot.

Really tired after 5 hours of counselling.

What saddens me most was to have to subtlely say "no" to some students who did so well for all other subjects but failed their English for their 'O' Levels; only to encourage them to resit for their English paper and then apply during the next JAE.

Today is the 3rd day of the JAE. As at 5:30 pm, there were still not many applicants when according to the newspaper there is a total of 25,000 vacancies for the 5 Polytechnics in Singapore altogether. Hopefully, the figures will jump tremendously overnight and on Sunday as Monday is the last day of application.

The last student I counselled today was a 21-pointer private candidate. He scored so well in many other subjects with an A1 in English but failed his humanities. The enthusiasm in his face to study was most encouraging. We could only tell him to try for the application ....... so sad.

Sometimes, academic grades are not everything but it is the attitude, keeness and enthusiasm that can make a real difference. Having said that, certain things in lives are just beyond our control. We just have to accept things that is not within our capability to change.

While driving to school today, I had to tell and remind myself of a verse that I read and that I should apply to my life - "Jesus loved his disciples very much but he did not depend on anyone of them. He gave of himself unconditionally."

Similarly for this, while I love all my students very much, it would be a great disappointment and even hurting if I were to continue to expect returns from them. Of course, it is only human that we would like our love to be reciprocated but however, I must constantly remind myself to love and give unconditionally and never to expect any returns; only then will I be able to continue to be a good shepherd to them. Otherwise, the disappointments is only gonna be an hindrance to me to give the best of my very self and to live out my Christian value.

My duty is to love unconditionally, to guide and to nurture my kids to be better persons and helping them to find their worth in this society.