Hunt is on for top M’sian teacher

The search begins: Chew (left) ringing the gong to launch the Malaysia Teacher Prize. Looking on is Pemimpin GSL board member Tengku Nurul Azian Tengku Shahriman. – ONG SOON HIN/The Star

FOR the first time, Malaysia will have its own edition of the Varkey Foundation’s renowned Global Teacher Prize.

Aimed to elevate the status of teachers and attract greater talent into the country’s teaching profession, the Malaysia Teacher Prize celebrates teachers whose exceptional efforts in educating young minds often go unseen and unrecognised.

Organised by Pemimpin GSL in partnership with YTL Foundation, with the support of the Education Ministry, it will give the opportunity for the Top 10 finalists to undergo professional development to help them better understand their impact as educators and potentially scale up their work beyond their schools.

Some of the best teachers I have met are very humble and prefer to stay out of the spotlight, said Pemimpin GSL programme director Samuel Isaiah.

“Their best practices were concealed and innovation unscaled,” he added.

But if we shine that spotlight on them through this award, he said, their knowledge and skills can be used to benefit other students across the nation and at the same time, give these teachers the recognition they deserve.

“Teachers need to know that they are highly valued and cherished by society,” said Samuel, who was a Top 10 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in 2020.

During the launch of the award on May 10, Pemimpin GSL chief executive officer Cheryl Ann Fernando said when teachers are given due recognition, their students will be inspired, as well.

“This award will be a starting platform for teachers to share their stories, particularly how hard they have worked during the Covid-19 pandemic to adapt to changing circumstances and do their best to provide excellent learning experiences for their students,” she added.

She also said anyone can nominate a teacher for the award so long as the criteria are met.

Those who are interested in nominating can do so by submitting their nominations and providing basic information on their nominees. The nominees will then receive an email inviting them to apply.

Teachers can also apply for the award themselves.

YTL Foundation programme director Datuk Kathleen Chew said the foundation is “delighted to sponsor the prize” as part of its 25th anniversary.