MUKAH: Teachers and students of SK St. Patrick Mukah organised a farewell gathering for the school’s headmaster Dominic Aseng Edal following his mandatory retirement upon reaching the age of 58 yesterday.
Held at Dewan Suarah Mesra Mukah, the farewell gathering was attended by Dominic Aseng’s wife Catherine Mislim Ajim, an officer from Mukah District Education Department, Mastura Mohd. Mansur (representing Mukah District Education Officer as guest-of-honour), senior assistant Ja’afar Zaini, parent-teachers association (PTA) chairman Nolin Gendang, Sts. Peter and Paul Mukah parish council chairman Francis Yeo, parents and invited guests.
Born in Dalat on May 25, 1953, Dominic Aseng entered Maktab Perguruan Batu Lintang (MPBL) Kuching in 1975 and graduated in 1976. He started his teaching career at SMK Dalat from 1977 to 1985 followed by a brief stint at Dalat District Education Department.
This was followed by a promotion as headmaster at SK Sungai Ud, Dalat (1986-1996) after which he was transferred to SK St. John, Dalat also as headmaster in 1997.
He also served as headmaster at SK SLDB No. 3 Mukah (1998-1999), SK Sungai Badengan Mukah (2000-2007) prior to his posting to SK St Patrick Mukah in 2008 until his retirement after serving more than 34 years in the education field.
For his strong dedication and commitment while in service, Dominic Aseng was presented with Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (APC) award by the government in 2003.
Being an active personality, Dominic Aseng also held several important positions including chairman of Majlis Guru Besar Dalat for two terms, secretary of St. Bernard Parish Council, Dalat (1977-1999), chairman of Sarawak Teachers Union, Mukah branch (2004-2008) and as committee members of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Dalat and Mukah.
The highlight of the gathering was handing over of duty by Dominic Aseng to senior assistant Ja’afar Zaini. Other activities include cutting of birthday cakes by Dominic to mark his 58th birthday, singing and dance presentations by teachers and students and speeches by Ja’afar Zaini, Nolin Gendang, Mastura and a student representative followed by a farewell speech by Dominic Aseng before he was presented with soveniers and gifts by teachers, students and parents.