By Sajad Hussein Kamarally
Sometimes I find myself reflecting on life in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. It was by no means a perfect era, but to me it was a time that felt calmer, simpler and, in many ways, less cluttered by the constant distractions that surround us today.
There were no personal computers, smartphones, tablets, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram or the endless stream of social media competing for our attention. Life moved at a gentler pace. People had time to talk, to listen and to be fully present with their families and communities.
Teachers and parents were not under constant pressure to supervise children every minute of the day. Children grew up with greater freedom. They played, they argued, they got into mischief—but it was the kind of healthy childhood adventure that helped them grow, rather than one shaped by an ever-present digital world.
In villages and small towns especially, the sense of community was strong. Neighbours knew one another. Doors were open, conversations flowed naturally, and people looked out for each other. Today, many of us live side by side for years without really knowing who our neighbours are. A quick "Hi" is often the beginning and the end of the relationship before we return to our busy lives.
I also remember the teachers of those days. They taught with extraordinary dedication and often treated their pupils like their own children. They were not merely educators; they were mentors, counsellors and role models. Because class sizes were generally smaller and administrative demands fewer, they had the time to understand each child as an individual and guide them with patience and fairness.
Today, teachers face a very different reality. Larger classes, increasing administrative responsibilities and endless paperwork leave many with less time to do what they entered the profession to do—teach. Most teachers want to spend more time inspiring their students, but too often they are overwhelmed by tasks outside the classroom.
Technology has also transformed the way children learn. Information is available instantly, and students can sometimes know as much—or even more—about a topic than their teachers before a lesson begins. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It simply means that the teacher's role has evolved from being the sole source of knowledge to becoming a guide who helps students think critically and use information wisely.
As a journalist who has spent more than fifty years observing Malaysia's education system, I have watched these changes unfold over time. One lesson stands out clearly: parents today have an even greater responsibility than previous generations. Raising a child can no longer be left largely to the school. It must be a genuine partnership between parents and teachers.
There is no doubt that technology has brought tremendous benefits. It has expanded opportunities for learning, communication and innovation. Yet, in gaining so much, I sometimes wonder whether we have also lost something deeply precious—our time, our presence, our relationships and our sense of community.
I am not suggesting that we should return to the past. That is neither possible nor desirable.
But I do believe we should remember what was good about those earlier years. We should preserve the values that nurtured kindness, patience, mutual respect and genuine human connection.
Because true progress is measured not only by how advanced our technology becomes, but also by how well we continue to care for one another.
Dr Sajad H Kamarally (sajadhk05@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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