Physically ‘power’ means strength. Technically ‘power’ means the rate of which work done or the energy transmitted. Mathematically ‘power’ means the product obtained when a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times. Administratively and politically, ‘power’ means person or persons having the ability to control or influence others to listen and act according to their whims and fancies.
Sociologist Max Weber described ’power’ as the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which this probability rests’.
As a conclusion, ‘power’ (achieved or ascribed) will have great influence over others in that society. They can make people work for them at their every beck and calls and nobody dared to resist their commands. To those under their command it is ‘your wish is my command, Sir!’
Early last month, my eleven-year old granddaughter, had been rehearsing for her Coral speaking-contest, due in the middle of next month. Before that, she was also rehearsing her Public speaking content and I was helping her, and I can sense her delightedness and looking forward to these two events. These two events will enable her to earn certificates when she leave school at the end of the year. She is in year six and will be sitting for her UPSR in September this year. This is her final year in primary school. With good results, she will be able to go to a school of her choice when she goes to secondary school.But last week she told me she had to forgo her public speaking contest. Another classmate is replacing her. No! there was nothing wrong with my granddaughter! Her notes were in order, and her teacher had been coaching her and she had been practicing a few times after school.
She told me, she had to make way for this girl, as she is the daughter of an influential figure in the education department here and his daughter had been crying and wanted the teacher to choose her, instead of my granddaughter. My granddaughter and this girl had a good command of English.
I understand that the school can only enter only one contestant. I was also told that initially the girl was first given the honour but she had refused, so my granddaughter was taken to replace her. But now she had changed her mind and wanted to take part again. In order to please this girl, the teacher had advised my granddaughter to give up her chance and allow this girl to take part instead. This had caused a lot of stress and dissatisfaction to my granddaughter who has been looking forward to it.
This week she was very moody and refused to go for her extra classes organized by the school. It took me a lot of persuasion before she agreed to go to her extra classes. Her reason was, she hated to see the girl who had caused her to give up her chance of taking part in the contest.
To make matters worse, the girl is one of her best friend. My concern here is, what was the criteria for choosing her in the first place? Is the teacher practicing meritocracy or favoritism? Children are very sensitive and cannot easily accept changes, especially when it involves taking away something already given to them earlier.
Teachers should be more professional in dealing with such situation. They should stick to their decision and not make hasty changes to please one person at the expense of hurting another. Teachers should not bow to pressure from people above and the people above should not use their position to justify their means.
