The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced 12 initiatives to empower and strengthen the role of teachers during the 55th national Teachers’ Day celebration held on May 16 in Ipoh, officiated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim [1, 2]. The programs include free Google Certified Educator (GCE) Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses available to all teachers, with the ministry funding RM40 per teacher for Level 1 and RM100 for Level 2 [1, 3, 2]. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the government aims to reduce teachers' administrative load so they can focus more on students and classrooms.
A notable initiative is the special Federal Training Award for teachers serving in hardship schools, such as hospital classes, floating schools, and rural schools in priority areas P1 to P3 [1, 3, 2]. The government is also abolishing manual co-curricular record-keeping to reduce teachers' paperwork. Instead, schools will manage electronic records before submitting data into the PAJSK system [3, 4].
Funding measures include RM169 million allocated to supply digital devices to all schools nationwide and RM100 million additional funding for maintenance and upgrading teachers' rooms, raising the total to RM200 million [3, 4]. Another RM50 million was added for teachers’ quarters maintenance, increasing allocations to RM110 million to improve living conditions [3, 4]. The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) welcomed the improved facilities but stressed that the abolition of manual records must be supported by sufficient internet infrastructure to be effective [4]. NUTP secretary-general Fouzi Singon highlighted issues of cramped and poorly ventilated staff rooms and aging teachers' quarters, especially in rural areas [4].
Additional spending includes RM10.5 million for more reading materials in 10,515 preschool classes nationwide and RM1 million from YGTHO sponsorship to boost NODE educational programs in remote rural and island schools under the Hardship Schools Programme [3]. The first phase of strategic programmes for schools and students received RM122.4 million in funding [3]. YGTHO will also provide RM1,000 to any teacher whose child scores 10A in the 2025 SPM examinations as an incentive [3].
In support for parents and communities, a 50% moratorium on school canteen rental fees for six months was introduced [3, 4]. NUTP urged canteen operators not to raise food prices or reduce portion sizes despite the rental relief, saying, "We hope food prices will not increase and that food quantities will remain the same" [4]. The union also requested vehicle rental allocations for student outdoor activities after a proposal to restore a petrol subsidy rebate was rejected [4]. Fouzi Singon added, "We do not want teachers using fuel subsidies meant for their personal and family needs for official duties without proper travel claims" [4].
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said selected teachers will be supported to pursue Master’s and PhD programmes to contribute further to the profession and continue serving with advanced qualifications [1]. She added, "Our commitment is to ensure that reducing teachers' workload remains a priority. We want teachers to focus on educational initiatives, classrooms and students" [3].
Details of the initiatives and their funding emerged in coverage by New Straits Times on May 17 [3].
