The fruit of patience

As I enter the class it was clearly in total chaos state. A group of boys were pushing each other. Desks and chairs were knocked down as some of the boys fell down. Then they will in turn pushed back their friends and another set of chairs and desks were knocked down in the process. One boy was holding a broom and chasing his friend. Once he got to smack his friend, the friend would turned around and chased him back. The girls were talking loudly as though they didn't notice my presence. Nothing I said or did seemed to be able to stop all of them. I took a deep breath and declared that if they can't respect me, I'm going to ask the principal to take me off from teaching this class. Then I left the class and headed for the staff room.

About six students chased after me including a boy who was still holding a broom in his hand. They kept on asking me to forgive them and go back to class. I kept my pace and entered the staff room. They can't follow me inside.

I drank a glass of plain water in order to stabilize my emotion. I can't easily forgive them or they will repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Something that is easily gain in never valued. But I also know that I have to get back to class. It is unethical to leave your class just like that. I prayed to Allah that if this is a situation that Allah has sent to me to change the students, then give me the strength and the wisdom to advise them. I went out of the staff room. Three girls were still waiting outside the door. I instructed them to walk first. They quietly lead the way. At times they looked back just to make I was still behind them.

Inside the class, I instructed everyone to sit on the floor in front of the class. To make me look superior, they have to look up at me. Some of the boys have to be gathered from other class - they have wandered around. I instructed a girl to close the door. I don't want students from other classes to watch. I told them that in my fifteen years career of a teacher, I have never met total chaos like today.

I said that deep inside my heart, I love them very much. Have they ever heard me scold them for asking a question or for asking me to repeat my explanation? Have I ever cancelled the extra class after school because only one of them turn up? Slowly they said no. I told them how I wanted them to think about their future. What will happen to them in twenty, thirty years time if they are not serious with their study? I even cried in class. Some of the girls cried too. I gave them my ultimatum. If they can't behave themselves in my class, I would ask the principal to change their maths teacher. Then I instructed them to go back to their place. They slowly rose up. Some boys were asking forgiveness from me on behave of the whole class. I just nodded slowly.

That was some weeks ago. Now everyone is in class. I received a lot of questions now. Some boys would not hesitate to go to the white board to ask parts that they can't understand. Even Ikhwan happily announced he has bought his first maths exercise book after seven months of school. I asked the whole class to give him a big clap. Allah has answered my prayer before I went back to class on that historical day. Alhamdulillah, all praises for Allah the almighty.

I chose to rise above the situation and to change the students for good on that day, if Allah permitted. And Allah has granted my wish.

May Allah give us the strength. May Allah bless us all.