One of the challenging decisions to make in assisting students is extension of deadlines for assignments. Even though from the first day of class I normally will explain the assignments and deadlines yet towards the end of the semester, there will be students asking for extension for whatever reasons. In this case, it seems there are enormous tasks they have to complete at the end of semester i.e. week 12 onwards. Thus it will indirectly make them feel more stressful at the end of semester. For some people, stress will affect their immune system. So falling sick when there are lots of assignments to be submitted around the corner is normal.
But, should we aka the lecturers to be blame if students feel stress due to students own “failure” in managing their time to study? Is it fair to blame the lecturers who do not give extension? Looking back at this situation, it seems the fault lies with the way the lecturers conduct their class, in this case relating to assignment submission.
Of course there are only “some students who are struggling to be responsible and accountable of their own action”. Blaming others is an easy way out. Indeed. Suddenly I remember about “minah t test tak tau”. What happens to her now? Hopefully, things go well in her life. As a teacher, I always hope for the best for my students even though they hurt my feelings (and never apologise). In minah-t-test-tak-tau case, I have forgiven her but I will never forget what she and her father did for the rest of my life. It is lesson that I will treasure as long as I live.