In the classrooms of the HKTA The Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School in Tseung Kwan O, the voice of teacher Mohammad Rohail always brings an extra sense of reassurance to ethnic minority students. Behind every word he speaks lies a journey of struggles and groping that they themselves are now experiencing.
Born in Hong Kong to Pakistani ancestry, the young Rohail once could not even buy things at a local shop in Cantonese. Yet instead of avoiding or sidestepping the language barrier, he chose to overcome it, word by word, bit by bit, gradually weaving himself into the fabric of the city over time.
Passing on the torch of belief
From 2012 to 2018, Rohail was a student at the school; today, he walks the same corridors as a teacher. After graduating with first-class honours in English from the University of Hong Kong, he made the choice to return to his alma mater, turning his own experiences as a non-Chinese speaking student into authentic teaching material in the classroom.
Still, his role extends beyond language instruction; he also continues his dedication on the football pitch. As the teacher in charge of the school's football team, he often runs alongside his students on the field, sharing moments of joy with them.
Education beyond grades
For Rohail, the meaning of education goes far beyond test scores and academic results; it is about walking alongside each student and helping them find their place in society. To those students struggling with language and cultural adaptation, he says, "There were others before you who faced similar situations. They were able to get out of it or make the most of it. Spend your time… the longer you spend, the more people you get to know, the more time you spend and actually involve yourself in the culture and the city, you will eventually become a part of it."
From being the one who received support to becoming the one who gives it, from student to teacher, Rohail has spent ten years transforming the warmth he once received into nourishment for the next generation. His story is one of belonging, legacy, and a deep connection to Hong Kong. He never needs to assert where he belongs, because his actions already speak louder than words: he was never an outsider.
(Reporter: Darius, Rachel Liu; Camerapeople: Julianne, Rachel Liu; Video Editor: Rachel Liu, Darius; Editor & English Editor: Darius)
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