Crossing rivers to get his degree
Published on: Thursday, September 03, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Getting ahead via education can be even more challenging if you are in the interior.Joinin Jabil has to cross rivers with his motorbike or walk eight hours just to reach the learning centre when it rains just to obtain a degree.Joinin is a Senior Assistant at SK Magandai, one of the primary schools inaccessible by road.
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He is pursuing the Bachelor of Education (Teaching Bahasa Melayu) at the School of Education & Cognitive Science at the Asia e University (AeU). The programme adopts a blended approach where students are provided with learning materials online and attend face-to-face tutorials once a month at a nearby learning centre on weekends.For Joinin, 42, the nearest learning centre is in Kota Marudu. When it's not raining, he uses a motorbike which involves crossing the river with a makeshift raft.
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"At certain points, I have to push the motorbike because the hill slopes are too steep. The journey takes about four hours," Joinin said. Occasionally, there are four-wheel drive vehicles plying the route but they cost as much as RM950 per trip, which is exorbitant.
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When it rains, the path becomes muddy and makes it inaccessible even by motorbikes. Undeterred, this gutsy teacher said he walks all the way to the learning centre."I walk all the way, which takes me about eight hours. I would take breaks at various huts along the way and enjoy the snacks prepared by my wife," Joinin said casually. As though walking eight hours through the forest was not gruelling enough, he said: "quite often I come across various types of wild animals". "It also gets very cold when I trek through the forest during the rainy season," he added. Several years ago, Joinin was hospitalised for several weeks after being bitten by a poisonous snake. Among his routine works at the learning centre while attending classes are downloading materials, watch video clips, upload assignments, surf the web and online discussions with course mates. "The learning style provided by AeU and the adoption of the blended learning approach is suitable for me. "I have to work, study, attend to family matters and travel long hours to discuss with my tutors and fellow students. "At times, I feel like giving up. But the comprehensive learning materials and facilities as well as support from tutors helped me to persevere despite the odds," he said. In the final stage of his programme, Joinin is excited about the prospect of graduating in 2016. Based on his CGPA, he is among the top 10pc in an enrolment of 900 students pursing the bachelors programme. He attributes his success to his tutors and support from his wife and four children. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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