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On Teachers’ Day, Indonesians remember their favorite teachers
For some, especially minorities, teachers play an important role in building their confidence despite the challenges they face.
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Driven: Sylvie Tanaga, 34, a writer and editor, thanks her Bahasa Indonesia teacher Yulianeta who supported her to study literature and political sociology. (Courtesy of Sylvie Tanaga) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Sylvie Tanaga)
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em>Indonesia is celebrating its 76th Teachers’ Day, marking the establishment of the Indonesian Teachers’ Association (PGRI) on Nov. 25, 1945. For some, especially minorities, teachers play an important role in building their confidence despite the challenges they face.
When British superstar Adele’s English teacher made a surprise appearance during a concert last weekend, the singer’s fanbase was reminded of what teachers often mean to people. In tears, Adele told the audience how her teacher, who she called Ms. McDonald, inspired the songstress to study English literature and thus influenced her songwriting.
Some people do have that one teacher who changes their life for the better.
Indonesians commemorate Teachers’ Day every Nov. 25, as this was the day the country’s Teachers’ Association (PGRI) was established back in 1945 following a two-day conference in Surakarta, Central Java.
Thirty-four-year-old writer Sylvie Tanaga found a mentor in her Bahasa Indonesia teacher in Taruna Bakti high school in Bandung, West Java. Growing up in a Chinese-Indonesian household, Sylvie admitted that she did not receive words of praise from her parents as it was not their style of parenting. According to Sylvie, her interest in literature and political sociology was also rare among her family members.
“So when Ms. Yulianeta openly praised and appreciated my talents – I ‘melted’ away. It was the first time I felt truly understood by someone else,” said Sylvie in an interview with The Jakarta Post.
Yulianeta did not stop at applauding Sylvie’s knack of writing – she guided her pupil further, to not only hone the technical skills but also develop her passion and empathy.
