Q:
First of all, would you please introduce yourself briefly?
A: I arrived in Hong Kong in 1961 and started teaching
in a secondary school in Kowloon. In 1966, I entered HKU
to study for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education.
Q: How did you join the SJC family?
A: I joined St. Joseph's in 1968 when Brother James was
the principal. There was a vacancy for an English Teacher
and I applied for the post. Fortunately, after a simple
interview, I was recruited.
Q: What is your overall impression of
Josephians?
A: Undoubtedly, they are bright and promising boys. Besides,
they are devoted and hardworking and I am sure they are
devoted and hardworking and I am sure they will all have
a bright future. They love the college and often come
back to visit teachers and Brothers after graduation.
Q: What is the difference between SJC
in the past and SJC nowadays?
A: Back in those days, there were more than ten Brothers
and only two lady teachers. Students paid more attention
to academic work than sports. Now, we have very few Brothers
and many more lady teachers. Josephians today are more
all-rounded. Besides being active in sports and extra-curricular
activities, they also achieve brilliant results in college
and public examinations. Another major change is the set-up
of the Students' Union which co-ordinates the activities
of various clubs and societies.
Q: How did you become in Careers Master
of our college?
A: I was appointed Careers Master in 1991. Prior to that,
I was the Economics Panel Head.
Q:Is there any difference between the
work of a teacher and a careers master?
A: Yes, there are a number of differences. Teachers in
general are mainly responsible for teaching their respective
subjects and managing their classes. A careers maser,
on the other hand, has to deal with the entire student
population. The spectrum of duties is rather wide and
interesting, including liaising with overseas colleges/universities,
preparing testimonials, arranging talks for senior students
and conducting entrance tests for students going overseas.
To better acquaint myself with the latest developments
in university curriculum and application procedures, I
also participate in meetings and seminars conducted by
local universities and post-secondary colleges.
Q: Do you advise students to study abroad?
A: Students can of course pursue their studies both locally
and in overseas universities. Considering that universities
in Hong Kong have up-to-date facilities and experienced
lecturers recruited from renowned institutions all over
the world, I personally do not think that it is essential
to go abroad for further studies, especially now that
we have more places available. Nevertheless, students
wishing to go overseas do receive proper guidance and
recommendation letters.
Q: What are the differences between a
local school and international one?
A: Comparatively speaking, students in local schools are
more reserve and disciplined while students in international
schools are generally more outgoing and independent.
Q: Being the Careers Master of our college,
what careers do you think are good in the near future?
A: Over the past years, Hong Kong has developed into a
more services oriented economy. Service-related careers
such as finance and banking, insurance, tourism, hospitality,
etc. are in great demand.
Q: Do you agree that the English standard
of local students has been declining in recent years?
A: I cannot deny that the standard of English is declining.
Students nowadays place less emphasis on the English Language
and avoid speaking English, except during English lessons.
I think one of the problems is that most of them are shy
and afraid to practise.
Q: Being an English teacher in SJC for
so many years, do you have any advice for students to
improve their English?
A: First of all, students should not be shy in speaking
English. During leisure time, they should read English
newspapers, magazines or novels. They can also watch English
movies and TV programmes on English channels. If possible,
they should try to make friends with English-speaking
students.
Q:
As the person in charge of discipline of higher form students,
do you think that there is a need to reinforce discipline
in our college?
A: Discipline in SJC is excellent and I have not noticed
any serious discipline problem despite the fact that out
students enjoy a higher degree of freedom. Being a boy's
school, minor problems do arise but on the whole we are
very satisfied with the behavious of our students. Problems
like fighting, smoking and gambling have not been noticed.
Q: You are a very strict image to most
students. Is this your true character?
A: Definitely not. I am very serious while teaching and
I hate making jokes in class. When I leave the classroom,
I am very friendly and approachable.
Q: Being a foreigner, would you mind
telling us what nationally do you hold?
A: I hold Indian nationality.
Q: Are you worried about the changes
in Hong Kong after the handover?
A: Of course not. My life here is very stable and I believe
life won't change much after the handover. I am sure that
our new leaders are capable of maintaining economic growth
and prosperity in Hong Kong in the years to come.
Q: We know that you have been in Hong
Kong for quite a long time. Are you accustomed to life
here?
A: Yes, I have been in Hong Kong for over 35 years and
all my children were born here and studied here. They
all like Hong Kong and we are accustomed to the life style,
system and culture of local people.
Q: What are the differences between the
life in your native country and that in Hong Kong?
A: When compared the India, my native country, Hong Kong
people are more hardworking and enjoy a higher standard
of living. There are a lot of studying and job opportunities
and red tapes, the pace of development has been adversely
affected and, in fact, a number of government projects
have been delayed. With the expansion in higher education
in the 1990's, more students can now enter colleges and
universities. I do hope India will prosper and make greater
progress in the future.
Q: Will you say stay in Hong Kong after
retirement?
A: Yes, I would really like to stay here and so would
my family. With the grace of God, all my children are
well educated and have respectable careers in different
fields. Hong Kong is full of opportunities and I believe
that they would like to purse their careers here. As a
family, we have taken Hong Kong as our home. And most
probably, I shall stay here in Hong Kong.
Q: Using mother tongue as the medium
of teaching seems to be a very hot topic recently, what
is your opinion on this statement?
A: I know that a significant number of schools in Hong
Kong will be allowed to use English as a medium of instruction.
I really hope St. Joseph's can be one of them. We have
been very successful with the English medium over the
past 122 years and I see no reason for changing the status
quo. Besides, as many of our students pursue further studies
abroad, using English medium will avoid language adjustment
problems in future. Problems will arise if we forced to
use the Chinese medium as both students and teachers are
not prepared for the change.
