Some teachers are truly dedicated educators and we can safely say that Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Ansuan principal, George Odol is one of them.
In a TikTok video uploaded by the principal that has since been deleted, he talks about how he was posted to this primary school in June 2020 and has stayed in the school’s storeroom ever since.
It is said by BERNAMA that the school in the interior was built without housing for the principal, so he had to make do with the 2.74 metres (m) by 4.87 m storeroom as his lodging.
“I also have to share the kitchen and bathroom with the preschool class. It’s quite sad for a principal to stay like this for over three years. But what can we teachers do but sacrifice our comfort to venture into the interior for our pupils.”
Even though it was hard for him, George endured it well and never regretted it as he wanted to give the young children the best education possible.
The soon-retiring principal added that teachers who were posted to this school back then would have to live with the villagers and later in modified classrooms.
The Parents-Teachers Association of the school did build two small-scale homes for the teachers and nearing the end of his service, George managed to obtain approval to build a seven-door longhouse for the teachers.
However, he chose to prioritise the teachers and let them live there while he stayed in the storeroom.
“Who else should we hope for to come here and teach these kids in schools in the interior if not us Kadazandusun teachers ourselves? This is what we sacrifice as we serve in the interior of Sabah,” he added.
We’re sure that George will be missed by his colleagues and the children when he retires. We hope that he will be able to rest well and somehow continue educating the kids if he chooses to.
Also read: Retired M’sian Lecturer Conducts FREE English Workshops for Students in Rural Primary Schools
