NON-profit organisation Teach For Malaysia (TFM) is tackling education inequities in rural and underserved areas of Sarawak by placing dedicated Fellows in schools across the state.
According to TFM chief executive officer Chan Soon Seng, 22 Fellows from the 2023 cohort are currently serving in Sarawak, following a previous placement of 38 Fellows in Miri in 2015.
“Sarawak faces teacher shortages, limited resources and challenges in marginalised communities,” said Chan.
“By deploying Fellows to Sarawak, TFM aims to support the state government’s aspiration to transform education by providing access to quality learning, empowering students and driving long-term, sustainable improvements in Malaysia’s education system.”
The TFM Fellowship is a two-year leadership development programme that equips aspiring leaders with the skills, hands-on experience and networks needed to make a lasting impact in classrooms, communities and the broader education system.
Under the Teaching Partner Pathway, Fellows are employed by TFM for two years and placed in high-need schools nationwide.
The programme also has a Guru Muda Pathway, which nurtures new teachers with less than five years of experience through tailored training workshops and coaching sessions, complementing the Education Ministry’s existing teacher development initiatives.
Chan highlighted TFM’s plans for future expansion, guided by its 2030 strategy to build a critical mass of leaders dedicated to transforming education.
“Our goal is to expand efforts in underserved areas by empowering local leadership from indigenous communities and driving systemic educational reforms,” he said.
By fostering community-led solutions and advocating for sustainable changes, TFM aims to reach more students and reduce education inequity across Malaysia, he added.