Author: Penny Chai
Company: Penny Chai Math Lab Virtual Learning Group
Professional: Math ＆ AddMath teaching
Occupation: Senior Instructor
My Educational Journey and Philosophy
Education is boundless — it embraces all things and gently lifts every heart that yearns to grow.
It is the vessel that guides humanity toward broader horizons and a more purposeful life.
I have always believed that knowledge is the light that allows us to see hope, and the compass that gives our lives direction.
In this vast ocean, every act of learning is a voyage; every spark of inspiration, a ripple within the soul.
I aspire to be a lighthouse upon this sea — illuminating the path and warming the hearts of those who have lost their way, guiding each child back to their own shore.
Early Influences
As a child, because my parents were occupied with making a living and could not always attend to us — being part of a large family — I often lived with my grandparents, whose influence profoundly shaped my outlook on life. They demonstrated through their daily actions that learning could transform one’s circumstances. My grandfather personally taught me to calculate with an abacus, laying a solid foundation for my later strength in mathematics.
Having witnessed my parents’ struggles, I learned the values of self-reliance and diligence from an early age. During my primary school years, I frequently helped them with work-related tasks. Despite their financial hardship, whenever my grades fell short, they still spent their hard-earned wages to ensure I received tutoring. This deep, unspoken love instilled in me a lasting sense of gratitude and a strong determination to study diligently.
Guided by this conviction, I fully dedicated myself to a teacher known for strictness and high expectations. I took every instruction seriously — perhaps even rigidly — because I did not wish to waste my parents’ sacrifices. Within months, my performance improved remarkably. By my final year of primary school, I represented the school in the South Johor Mathematics Competition and won first place in my category. That was the moment I first understood that education has the power to change one’s destiny.
Formative Years
Before sitting for the entrance examination to an independent Chinese secondary school, my father spoke to me with quiet resignation: “I may not be able to afford your schooling there. Don’t overexert yourself; focus on helping at home instead.”
His words filled me with envy for my peers whose families could fully support their academic pursuits. Yet, despite limited means and differing beliefs, I held firmly to the conviction that every examination deserved my utmost effort.
In Form Two, due to our family’s financial constraints, I began giving private tutoring lessons to earn pocket money. What began as a way to ease my parents’ burden unexpectedly revealed a passion for teaching. I discovered great joy in explaining knowledge to others and witnessing the moment of understanding reflected in their smiles.
During secondary school, a temporary decline in my results once led me into a brief period of uncertainty. Thankfully, with the guidance of a dedicated teacher, I regained my confidence and direction. My grades improved significantly, and I eventually graduated with a first-class SPM certificate. Later, I pursued further studies and successfully obtained a Diploma in Computer Studies.
Commitment to Education
Through self-exploration, I realized that education had always been an inseparable part of my life.
Perhaps that early tutoring experience had quietly planted the seed of education in my heart. After many turns, I found myself returning to where it all began.
In 2004, I officially joined a national Chinese primary school as a teacher, marking the beginning of my lifelong journey in education.
Five years later, I transformed my educational ideals into action by establishing Pusat Tuisyen Effisien Gemilang in 2009, where I have served as both principal and senior instructor. Since then, I have devoted myself to promoting quality education and holistic student development.
However, the path of education has never been without challenges. Even before the pandemic, my tuition centre faced numerous difficulties — unstable teaching staff and fluctuating student enrolment. After nearly a decade of such trials, I once felt exhausted and disheartened, even contemplating giving up.
Yet every time I saw the perseverance of students eager to learn and improve, I was reminded of the true meaning of education: it lies not in numbers, but in the ability to ignite a single light within a student’s heart.
Resilience and Transformation
For years, I aspired to extend the reach of my educational efforts across Malaysia so that more students could benefit. However, in 2020, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted this vision.
With the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), my tuition centre was forced to cease all operations. Watching the once-vibrant classrooms fall silent filled me with uncertainty and doubt about my future in education.
One day, while browsing online, I came across a course on digital business development. That discovery became a turning point — I realized that education need not be confined to the walls of a classroom. I began equipping myself with digital teaching skills, progressing from trial and error to proficiency in online platforms. Step by step, I rebuilt my teaching framework.
Today, my tuition centre has successfully transformed into an online learning platform, reaching students from various states across Malaysia. Seeing their focused faces through the screen rekindled my passion and reaffirmed my commitment to education.
Educational Mission and Outlook
Having weathered many storms, I firmly believe that education is a sacred vocation. Teaching is not merely a profession; it is a responsibility and a lifelong mission. Each time a student calls me “teacher” and shares their achievements and dreams, I am reminded of the profound meaning of this calling.
In recent years, I have expanded into the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum, offering students broader, globally oriented learning opportunities. Many of them have achieved outstanding results, further strengthening my resolve to continue advancing the quality and scope of my teaching.
Reflections and Insights
Through this lifelong journey, I have come to two enduring realizations:
Knowledge transcends textbooks — it is a transformative force that can be applied to life and shape one’s destiny.
The moment my grandfather taught me to use the abacus was not merely a lesson in arithmetic, but a lasting enlightenment that continues to guide my path in education today.
The pursuit of education and entrepreneurship is never smooth. Only those who persevere through adversity will one day see the light after the storm. Had I chosen to give up during difficult times, I would not have become who I am today.
Therefore, I dedicate this story to all who are still journeying toward their destination — may you always believe that perseverance will lead you to your direction.
And to those who have already found their path, may this story remind you to keep learning, keep progressing, and never give up.