Our best: The public is invited to vote for the most inspiring educator among the Top 10 finalists of the RISE Educator Award 2025.
Over the years, as I have walked the hallways of countless schools, I have come to a deep realisation: opportunities in education aren’t always equal, and challenges exist everywhere.
Whether in rural heartlands or major cities, schools face complex issues – be it ageing infrastructure, resource limitations, digital access gaps, or the need for more inclusive teaching practices.
Students with disabilities often navigate systems not built with them in mind.
Marginalised communities continue to face cultural and social barriers. And teachers everywhere work tirelessly, often with limited support, to give their students the best chance at success.
The Malaysia Education Blueprint Annual Report 2018 highlights a persistent performance gap among different student groups in national exams like the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Meanwhile, in October last year, the Education Ministry reported that out of 1,091 identified dilapidated schools across Malaysia, only 717 had been fully upgraded or reconstructed.
These issues aren’t confined to any one region – they are national concerns that demand collective solutions.
In the midst of these challenges, I have encountered stories that moved me deeply – stories that shifted how I view education entirely, reminded me why education matters, and showed me why the role of the teacher is so vital.
Through my work with the RISE Educator Award (see sidebar), I have had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable resilience and creativity of teachers who quietly redefine what it means to educate. These teachers aren’t waiting for ideal conditions – they are creating opportunities where they are, with what they have.
One such educator is Shawn Stanly Anthony Dass, a 2024 award recipient. His work with Orang Asli students in Perak went far beyond textbooks. He introduced flight simulators and environmental conservation projects that not only sparked curiosity but also transformed how his students viewed learning itself.
Or take Mohammad Hazeem Azemi, the 2022 awardee from Pahang, whose dream of building a multimedia studio accessible to people with disabilities became a reality. For his students with special needs, this was more than a room – it was a space where they could be seen, heard and trained in real-world digital skills that open doors to future careers.
Then there’s Kumaresan Muniandy, who saw potential in vocational education and decided to act. His efforts in Kedah led to the development of hands-on training programmes and an upgraded mock training centre, giving special needs students tangible skills that directly improved their job prospects.
And in a remote Sarawak village, I met Muhammad Nazmi Rosli, a 2021 recipient who, despite limited resources, reimagined what a classroom could be. Through interactive experiences and sheer determination, he brought energy, engagement and joy back into learning.
What unites these educators is not just innovation, but also purpose. They believe in their students – and act on that belief. Often, they fund their own projects and seek little recognition in return.
This is why the RISE Educator Award is more than a celebration – it is a commitment to support, amplify and invest in teachers who are changing lives.
Over the past five years, I have seen how this initiative has not only transformed classrooms but also elevated communities. It reminded me that when we invest in teachers, we’re not just supporting one person – we’re uplifting generations.
This journey has also taught me that transformation doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, all it takes is for someone to believe in a teacher’s potential, to offer a little support, to tell their story. It takes small actions – advocating for better teacher training, sharing success stories, contributing time or expertise – to create ripples that reach far and wide.
As someone who has had the honour of walking alongside these educators, I have come to believe this deeply: when teachers thrive, students flourish. If we want a future where every child, regardless of background, has access to meaningful, inclusive and inspiring education, we must start by supporting those who make it possible.
Let’s not leave our educators to bear the weight of change alone. Let’s lift those who lift others. Because in doing so, we don’t just change schools – we change lives.
To all the educators out there – thank you for your passion, perseverance and purpose. Wishing you a heartfelt Happy Teachers Day.
Josephine Tan is Taylor’s University International Relations pro-vice-chancellor and Taylor’s College campus director with over 30 years of experience in both corporate and education sectors. Her extensive years of experience in the field of media and communication encompass the areas of organisational culture, corporate communication, human communication, as well as crisis and conflict management. She has also established the South East Asia Research for Communication and Humanities (SEARCH) Journal, which has been indexed by Scopus since 2009. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
