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EVERY year on May 16, the nation honours the hard work and unending dedication of our teachers in shaping the country’s future.

A great deal of effort goes not just into guiding students academically, but also in moulding them into good, well-rounded individuals.

Many of our educators go the extra mile, working even after school ends, to make sure that their charges are able to cope.

Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said there is not a single person on earth that has not had their lives touched by a teacher.

Best of the best: The top teachers in Malaysia posing for a photo with Radzi after the award presentation ceremony.

Everyone of us has been touched, reprimanded, and taught manners by our teachers, he said.

“They helped shape the way we think.

“It is a profession that is held in high esteem by the whole of society,” he said, adding that this is a reflection of the huge role teachers play in the development of a country, its citizens and civilisations across the globe.

Radzi said the ministry has always paid attention to matters involving teachers, their work and welfare.

Since the day he set foot in the ministry, he said his focus has been on solving the problems facing teachers.

Outstanding educators: (from left) Roslan and Adi Badiozaman being honoured with the Anugerah Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan 2022 and the Anugerah Tokoh Kepimpinan Pendidikan Kebangsaan 2022, respectively.

Citing an example, he said the country was short of 18,000 teachers when he joined the ministry.

“To solve the teacher shortage problem that has plagued the country’s education system for years, the ministry introduced the Subject Cluster (KMP) method for a one-off intake of teachers to ensure there is no oversupply of graduates with a degree in education.

“Thanks to the KMP, we managed to fill 87% of the 18,702 vacancies,” he said, adding that the ministry is also restructuring the teacher transfer process as part of its effort to enhance the profession.

They see us rolling: A teacher taking a selfie with Radzi (in blue) during the Fun Cycling Ride around Bachok in conjunction with Teachers Day.

Transfer applications, he said, can now be made throughout the year.

“Four transfers a year will be allowed based on the suitability of the place applied for and the subject options in the state concerned.

“School heads will also no longer be allowed to stop their ‘good teachers’ from applying for a transfer,” he said.

Radzi was speaking during the 51st National Teachers Day celebration where a five-day festive carnival was held for the first time in Kelantan.

This was the first time since 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit that the annual event was celebrated on such a wide scale.

Throughout the pandemic, Radzi said, the nation’s nearly 500,000 teachers stepped up to ensure schoolchildren nationwide continued to receive the best education, despite the unprecedented challenges.

Paying tribute to educators, he said the dedication our teachers have shown extends far beyond the call of duty.

“When schools finally reopened, first with a rotation system, then at full capacity, teachers were there to monitor and ensure that standard operating procedures (SOP) were complied with so that students remained safe.

“Teachers worked hard to implement the extensive Guidelines for School Management and Operation as soon as the ministry released it,” he said.

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Elaborating on this year’s Teachers Day “Guru Tunjang Sekolah SEJAHTERA” theme, Radzi said the success of the ministry’s Sekolahku SEJAHTERA concept depends largely on teachers.

The prosperous school concept, Radzi said, is meant to expose our children to values and lessons that are important in life.

He said he hoped that through the Sekolah SEJAHTERA concept, students will live their lives being guided by these values as these would allow them to thrive no matter where they end up after they complete their schooling years.

Radzi added that for this to be a success, the ministry needs the dedication and goodwill of teachers to instil the 14 elements of the concept directly and indirectly in the minds and hearts of their students.

The Sekolahku SEJAHTERA concept was introduced in schools at the start of the 2022/2023 academic year, which commenced on March 21 (see infographic).

During the carnival, Education director-general Datuk Nor Zamani Abdol Hamid said the theme for this year’s Teachers Day was chosen with the realisation that a teacher is the most important pillar in our country’s education system.

“A teacher’s role is not only to impart knowledge, but also to ensure that students develop a good personality and are competitive,” she said.

For this to happen, Nor Zamani said teachers need to be good role models who embody the good values and positive spirit they want to instil in their charges.

She said teachers will always have a special place in our hearts because of their invaluable devotion to the profession.

“Dear teachers, the ministry hopes that you will continue to focus on carrying out your duties and be wise in tackling the challenges of educating the nation’s children,” she added.

During the carnival, Radzi presented awards to the nation’s top teachers.

This year, there were five additional award categories besides Anugerah Tokoh Kepimpinan Pendidikan Kebangsaan 2022 and Anugerah Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan 2022.

In the spotlight: Teachers showing off their performing talents such as the dikir barat during the celebrations.

The categories were Special Education Award, Teacher Icon Award, Excellent Teacher Award, Innovative Teacher Award and Digital Champion Teacher Award (see table).

Terengganu State Education Department director Abdul Muie Ngah said the awards were made possible thanks to the sponsors – Yayasan Guru Malaysia Bhd (YGMB), Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, Nestle Products Sdn. Bhd (Milo) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

Datu Dr Adi Badiozaman @ Badio Zaman Tuah was named the Tokoh Kepimpinan Pendidikan Kebangsaan 2022, while Roslan Yatim was announced the recipient of the Anugerah Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan 2022.