HEADLINES TELL US what is broken. Communities show us how to fix it. As Malaysian schools face renewed scrutiny, voices rise— demanding resignations, reforms or respect. When conversations about Malaysia’s schools turn into blame games—targeting teachers, parents, ministries or “today’s generation”— stories of quiet cooperation remain untold, such as those about teachers and parents who chose to build rather than blame.
While many children are “farmed” out to schools, tuition centres, iPads and smartphones, there are still those who believe in showing up. We examine four distinct narratives, beginning with a Penang teacher, who once found his classroom in the homes of strangers.
