BETONG: Two retired teachers were each honoured with an award for their contribution to education at the 47th State-level Teachers Day celebration held at Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Hall here on Wednesday. Dr Chong Pek Lin was named ‘Tokoh Guru Sarawak 2018’ and Datu Abdillah Adam was named ‘Tokoh Kepimpinan Pendidikan Negeri Sarawak 2018’.
The awards were presented by the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg who officiated at the function. Chong has proven that she was not just a committed, consistent and professional educator, but always strived to elevate the traditional ethnic art of Bumi Kenyalang (Sarawak) through education up to the international level. She was born on 5 August, 1955, received her early education at Sekolah Rendah (SR) St Teresa, Sekolah Menengah (SM) St Teresa and SM St Joseph, Kuching before pursing her study and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science (1976), Diploma in Education (1977) and Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) in 1978 at University of Malaya (UM).
In 1983, Chong went on to study in Trinity College of Music, London and took her Master of Arts (MA), Musicology and Ethnomusicology at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) before doing her Doctorate at University of Pretoria/ Universiteit van Pretoria in Music, Musicology and Ethnomusicology in South Africa in 2014. Chong started as a backup teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Slim River Perak after graduating from UM.
Subsequently, she moved to SM Tun Sharifah Rodziah Alor Setar, Kedah as a chemistry and mathematics teacher and finally at SMK St Thomas, Kuching. Her service in the education field was upgraded when she was appointed as a music lecturer at the Batu Lintang Teachers College and then at the Miri Teachers College.
Chong retired on August 5, 2015. She was the senior music lecturer since 2011, head of Department of Social Studies (2005-2008), choir director, did research in ethnic music and dance, and conducted research project for Sarawak Development Institute funded by United States Ambassadors fund for cultural preservation from upriver longhouses to the modern classroom (2004-2006). In the field of music and art, Chong’s talent is characterized by various engagements and achievements at state, national and international levels. Among her contributions, she actively shares her music expertise, becoming a multi-course speaker and in the field of publishing by producing music-related writings including articles for journals.
In recognition of her contributions and services as a teacher and lecturer, Chong received various awards including the Pingat Perkhidmatan Bakti (PPB), Special Director of Batu Lintang Teachers Institute Award and the Excellent Service Award. Meanwhile, Abdillah who received the ‘Tokoh Kepimpinan Pendidikan Negeri’ Award was born on 17 August, 1954 in Simunjan District.
He received his early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Iboi / Pelandok, SMK Green Road, SMB St Joseph before graduating from UM with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) Degree in 1976, Diploma in Education (1977), and obtained his Master’s degree from Bristol University, United Kingdom in 1988. Abdillah had taught at several schools namely SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg, SMK Green Road and SMK Simanggang.
He was appointed as ‘Nazir’ and served in the Sarawak Federal School Nazir Department and Senior Assistant at Tun Abdul Razak College, Kuching. Abdillah is also a former director of IPG Batu Lintang Kuching. After serving for nearly 36 years Abdillah retired on August 17, 2014. With the awards, Chong and Abdillah each received prizes worth more than RM14,000.
Among those present were the Chief Minister’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Director of State Education Department, Rakayah Madon.
