SUBANG JAYA: Muhammad Hafizu Aiman Jusoh, a teacher empowering Orang Asli students through innovative learning in Gua Musang, Kelantan, has been named this year’s Rise Educator Award winner.
Hafizu Aiman, a teacher from SK Pulat, was awarded RM5,000 for his achievement, while his school received RM50,000.
“I am grateful for this victory. I feel like I am doing the same things as schools in the city - I just happen to be more fortunate because my school is in a rural area,” he said after receiving the award on Saturday (Sept 12).
Hafizu Aiman said he intends to use the prize money to rebuild his demolished project, “Rumah Belajar Tanpa Loceng”, which was set up to support the Orang Asli Temiar community in Pos Pulat before it was relocated due to the Nenggiri Dam project.
His project, Rumah Belanja Tanpa Loceng, was a space for learning for communities in remote areas. Even without Internet or access to other resources, students can go into the house and learn 24 hours a day, without limits.
The award ceremony was also attended by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul and Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.
During his keynote address, Johari said Malaysia needs to invest in its young people because they are the future leadership pipeline.
“This is why I expose students, especially those from rural areas, to Parliament, let them sit in the chamber and observe debates and make Parliament feel accessible to ordinary young Malaysians,” he said.
Leadership, he said, has to be deliberately cultivated in young people to build their confidence and sense of responsibility.
The other four finalists were Dr Zul Faizuddin Osman, from SK Sungai Rual, Kelantan; Mohamad Safuan Rozak, from SK Desa Jaya, Pahang; Veronica Francis, from SMK St Bernadette’s Convent, Perak and Teh Zhen Kiat, from SJKC Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Each finalist of the Rise Educator Award 2026 also received RM1,000, with an additional RM10,000 allocated to their schools.
The winner and finalists were selected through a process that combined public votes (25%) with assessments from a distinguished panel of judges (75%).
Presented by Taylor’s College, the award recognises teachers who have gone beyond the classroom to create opportunities and make a lasting difference in their students’ lives.
