As websites increasingly become a measure of credibility, more and more teachers considering launching one for the first time. This is specially true for  computer teachers in secondary schools.

Today a Websites is easy to setup. Since 1998 many secondary school teachers had their own websites and their position (and salary)  has likely risen since then. Internet tools help a teacher increase their visibility and provide useful information that pulls in students........

Yes ! Every teacher to have his own WEBSITE.

Within three years of taking over the reins at SM Teknik Tawau, super principal Mary Yap has brought the school’s SPM passing rate from 28 per cent to 100 per cent, and maintained it for eight years running.

Source : © Copyright 2006 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

Mary Yap talks about the part schools can play in fostering racial relations.

Q: Do you see racial integration as a problem in your school?

A: The issue has never cropped up, even though Sabah has over 100 ethnic groups. Racial integration has always been present.

We work together very well. In my school, it’s beautiful. It has always been like this, even before I came in. I think this is the keistimewaan Sabah.

 Q: How do you think this racial integration happened?

A: We have a lot of awareness-raising in school. During assembly, for example, we always talk about tolerance and unity. It’s not only me who does the talking but other teachers, and even the students.

During activities like appreciation dinners and sports, we make sure teachers and students mix.

We recently had a dinner celebrating Hari Raya, and we did it "kampung" style. You should have seen the Chinese teachers cooking dodol (cooked durian paste)! After 15 minutes we had aching arms, but the dodol was so good!

Q: Do other principals feel the same way on how to build racial integration?

A: I am not able to speak for other principals. But I run two courses, one for "beginning" principals — these are the new principals in Tawau, and the other to groom principals who have the potential to be super principals.

I concentrate on developing the personal dimension of being a principal. The management side is dealt with in other forms of training provided by the ministry and other courses.

They may have received training from all over, but never really the personal grooming that I give.

I think that personal development is an area that needs to be addressed (as teachers can help foster racial integration).

There can be all kinds of programmes for racial integration, but for a positive change it is in the hands of the teacher.

Q: What would you do if you saw your student making fun of another student because of his race?

A: I would speak to the student, and if he persisted, I would send him to a counsellor. It’s important to let him know the rationale behind it. I’ll also involve the parents.

But, many times, I find students don’t behave themselves because they don’t have awareness about values like tolerance.

Q: Do you think we have reason to be worried, looking at trends?

A: We definitely need to be concerned. The concern should be there all the time. But I don’t think it’s something too critical.

But the important thing is that we are addressing it. I would be worried if nothing were done or if things were being swept under the carpet.

The thing is, we have to work together to address it, not push it aside, saying "our teachers are to blame". Teachers can touch the future. But at the same time we can’t do it alone.

My stand is clear — the ministry has done a lot. But it’s our collective responsibility to address the issue, together.

Q: How would you advise a fellow principal who has problems getting students to integrate racially?

A: Principals have to be role models and lead by example.

WHAT better 'birthday gift' for SM Teknik Tawau (SMTT) than recognition by the Education Minister. It was declared as the first school in the Excellent School Clusters programme to be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) 2006

Hishammuddin made the announcement after the official opening of the Technical Building in  May 2006

This prestigious status is only accorded to schools with a track record of academic and co-curricular excellence.

He was reportedly impressed with the school management under the leadership of Super Principal Mary.

The Minister is aware that SMTT has reemerged from a reputation as a failing school to one whose standard has been made a national benchmark.

Paying tribute to Hishammuddin, Mary thanked him for his tireless effort in upgrading the image of the teaching profession ever since he became Minister of Education.

"Teachers and students should be bersyukur (thankful) that we are blessed with such a caring leader. Teachers in the rural areas are not sidelined. On the contrary, (Datuk) Hishammuddin is looking into their welfare by providing them with better incentives and improving the infrastructure and facilities in the schools."

At the same time, she attributed the school's success to the teachers, supporting staff and students, "not forgetting the strong networking and collaboration with the Education Ministry, Technical Education Department, the State Education Department, Tawau Division Education Office, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the professional community of Tawau."

Earlier, Hishammuddin cut the anniversary cake together with Yap, Director of the Staff Training Division (Technical Education Department), Hj Mustafar Mohamad and Merotai Assemblyman Kol. Datuk Dr Liew Yun Fah, who is the school's Bapa Angkat.

The Minister left not only footprints behind but also with the assurance of "Tawau Boleh9' and "Suhah Boleh" accompanied by shouts and choruses of "Yes! We can do it" (led by him) ringing in the air (which incidentally, is the battle cry of SM Teknik Tawau).

Also present were the Assistant Minister of Rural Development, Datuk Tawfiq Datuk Hj Abu Bakar Titingan, Member of Parliament for Kalabakan, Datuk Hj Abdul Ghapur Hj Salleh, Deputy Director-General of Education (Schools Division), Dato' Hj Kusiani Hj Hasbullah, Sabah Education Director Normah Gagoh and President of Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) Hj Salsidu Hj Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, SM Teknik Tawau is entering the era of "beyond re-engineering" in its new Blueprint (2006-2010).

An added role of this record-setting school is to help develop other schools towards academic excellence.

"We have embarked on a programme to upgrade the school management and leadership of target schools. Among them are SMK Bum Bum, Semporna and SMK Kuhara, Tawau," said Yap.