The Hunt Is on for Malaysia’s Teacher Extraordinaire
April 28 2021
Pemimpin GSL programme director Samuel Isaiah(far right) along with Pemimpin GSL chief executive officer Cheryl Ann Fernando (far left) along with YTL Foundation programme director Datuk Kathleen Chew (second from left), Yayasan Hasanah trustee and managing director Datuk Shahira Ahmed Bazari (middle) and ECM Libra Foundation board of trustees chairman Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan at the of the launch of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2023 earlier this month. - Pix courtesy of Pemimpin GSL
KUANTAN: Are you an outstanding educator or do you know teachers with such qualities?
The defining moment has arrived to celebrate exceptional classroom heroes and heroines as nominations for the second edition of the Malaysia Teacher Prize (MTP), the country’s leading teaching award, with a grand prize of RM50,000, is now open till July 2.
The inaugural award program organised by Pemimpin GSL (Global School Leaders) last year attracted 800 entries and the organisers have set their eyes on luring at least 2,000 applicants this year.
Pemimpin GSL program director Samuel Isaah said MTP, which aimed to further empower and celebrate outstanding achievements of educators in the country, is now much anticipated by teachers across the country.
“Last year, we held virtual roadshows to guide participants on how to write their essays. This year, our team at Pemimpin GSL will collaborate with the state education department and district education offices to hold both online and physical sessions to reach out to more teachers and schools around the country.
“The workshops will help ensure teachers understand the process to submit their applications and highlight their achievements accordingly. Tips will be provided on writing the essays during the engagement sessions.
“Besides organising the award program, Pemimpin GSL will also guide and provide continued encouragement to the teachers,” he said when contacted.
Samuel, who emerged as the country’s first top 10 finalists in the 2020 Global Teacher Prize award, said the 10 finalists of last year’s edition will be coming together to campaign and get more educators to submit their entries for the award this year.
“They are helping us to create awareness about the award program and we anticipate submissions from diverse backgrounds. This year, teachers have a lot of time to make the necessary preparations as entries will be opened for three months compared to some 50 days last year,” he said
Meanwhile, Samuel, who is the MTP co-founder, said another of the highlight of the award program which received the backing of the Education Ministry is a tw0-day summit to showcase the works of teachers along with forums for stakeholders within and beyond the education sphere,
“The summit held during the award ceremony will bring together various parties including non- governmental organizations and government agencies where everyone can learn from each with the aim to empower education,” he said.
On sponsors, Samuel said, Yayasan Hasanah and ECM Libra Foundation has come onboard this year to team up with YTL Foundation.
The MTP Prize top winner will be awarded a cash prize of RM50,000 while the top five finalists will take home RM5,000 each.
