THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

Teaching at Serdang 101
Major Crops was much easier for the students to learn as there was
an excellent textbook. Written by an Englishman, it contained meticulous
details on all types of major crops, seedling selection, soil selection,
growing techniques, pruning, weeding, fertilising, pest control, uses and
other information. I believe no recent publication is comparable to it.
The School’s Biology Lab was relatively well-equipped for the times.
It had water taps, Bunsen burners, microscopes, magnifying glasses,
projectors and slide machines. New equipment was regularly obtained by
ordering them from the Crown Agents in London. For both courses, I encouraged
practical work as I did not want them to suffer the same fate I did.
Still, there were other teaching tasks: teaching students to tap, collect,
process and smoke rubber sheets and to bud-graft plants and make copra.
On certain weekends, I accompanied students to visit coconut plantations,
rubber estates, pineapple plantations, oil mills and match factories. I taught
only ten and a half hours a week, but there were countless other duties:
compiling notes and articles; translating letters from Malay into English
for the Principal and his Deputy; translating agricultural articles and
brochures from English to Malay; responding to job and scholarship
application letters; and handling correspondence from the Sultan Idris
Training College, the Translation Department, Agricultural Department
and other offices in Kuala Lumpur.
Over and above all this, I was Food Officer, Hostel Warden and
Resident Teacher rolled into one. Some of these responsibilities were
heaped on me because the School could not afford to recruit new staff in
those Depression years. Perhaps that explained the reluctance displayed
by other Agricultural Assistants to hold the post. But never for one
moment was I discouraged; I was excited and happy to teach, to lead my
race towards progress and a less bleak future. Looking at the many tasks
expected of me, it was no surprise why diligent and hardworking Enchik
Tak had requested a transfer. But I held on to my belief that if I worked
hard to prove myself, the school administrators would learn to respect
me. I was right.
Enthusiastic volunteer officers, Mr Mann and his Canadian Assistant
Principal, Mr Dawson (who had also taught me at the former School)
coaxed me to join the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force (FMSVF).
It was to be my third and last stint. The two promised all kinds of perks,
including an opportunity to join the Malay Voluntary Infantry (MVI)
Course in Port Dickson, after which I would earn my Second Lieutenant
rank. They even promised to set up a small shooting range in Serdang
for me to practise. In other words, they were willing to do anything and
everything to keep me in the force.