Friday, June 08, 2007

Idiocy

It was the second day of the beginning teacher's induction today, and a few of the people in the graduating cohorts (I loathe to call them my colleagues) really showed how stupid even would-be teachers can be. In the day's lecture about career tracks and performance management system, there are some idiots who
  • demands to know the exact date on which his bonus will come - apparently he has called up relevant departments several times to demand the same thing too and wasn't happy with their uncertain answer. (Hello? The forum is to explain the system and clarify doubts, not for redress!)
  • rattled on and on about how he aspires to leadership positions but at the same time also interested to learn about early education, special needs education, and gifted students education altogether. (The forum panelists one by one gave different answers to him which essentially meant: when you grow up someday you'll eventually find out where your ambitions will take you.)
  • rambled on about how MM LKY who had served the country so long got a pay rise even when salaries are increased to attract new ministers, so therefore all teachers who previously joined the force should get a similar pay increase in response to the better pay MOE will give to the new cohort of new teachers. (When you signed on the dotted line donkey years ago you already signalled that you accepted the package, duh!)
These stupid questions really irritates the hell out of me because I am ashamed that these few stupid fellows are of the same status and in the same profession as me.
  1. First of all, they should get some things right - every meeting have a specific objective, and if they hurl stupid questions all around for the sake of complaining, they ought to be shot (at least that's what I'll do to them if I happen to chair the meeting).
  2. Secondly, they should consider who their requests are addressed to, ask themselves how great is the person's sphere of influence, whether that person has the power to give the entire MOE a pay rise just because they are pleading for one.
  3. Stupid people asks questions without thinking if they can answer the question themselves, or consider what sort of answers they might get. How does that second guy expect people to give him career advices when he is talking pure nonsense about wanting to do all those things (each a separate academic discipline in their own right)? What sort of answers can be satisfactory for such a silly question.
The worst thing was that half the auditorium cheered and applauded for the pay-rise guy's mumblings as if his stuttering eloquence managed to convey their exact sentiments. If they really think the same way as that guy, they should all be discharged from MOE immediately. Utter morons, childish and immature idiots.

Idiocy really shows up in people of all ages and professions. I am just thoroughly ashamed that I happen to be passionate in the same job as these idiots.

2 comments:

Alex Wong said...

Well, about that pay raise thing... its true that you have accepted the package when you signed on the dotted line. But isn't it strange for a fresh grad to be receiving a higher salary? That should throw their HR and rewards system out of wack and make employees less motivated to work. Technically, if I were to quit and rejoin, I'd get a better pay....

Wolfie said...

It's just a matter of timing la, the recent batch just happen to be 'sueh' to miss it. Pay will always increase due to inflation etc, just a matter of when. It's like buying a computer mah, you know the same thing will cost much less in the near future.

But anyway, the disgusting thing is that those people are all acting like disgruntled kids who were told they can't have their toys...