IPOH, May 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said educators need to be big-hearted in accepting challenges and criticism positively, especially regarding shortcomings and problems involving students.

He said education cannot be separated from being linked to personal, character, human or humanity and any problems that arise are often linked to schools until they sometimes burden educators.

“Social problems certainly affect children in schools and certainly cause commotion. It seems like this only happens in schools, when what happens sometimes is shortcomings, moral corruption, that’s because we are part of society.

“But I hope teachers see this positively. So that’s why if you are burdened with unfair criticism, I hope teachers would accept it well to raise up and ensure the next generation is much better than us,” he said.

He was launching the 55th National Teachers’ Day Celebration at Casuarina Hotel here, today, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Anwar, who sometimes refers to himself as ‘Cikgu Anwar’, said the Ministry of Education (KPM) is currently preparing an education framework that not only focuses on economic and technological progress such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital, but also maintains its identity and noble values.

“If we look at almost all countries, they have their education policies and are evaluated from time to time. But in Malaysia, in this Madani country, there is something different. We don’t want to be left behind in terms of new technology, AI. Children must be prepared for current needs, otherwise we will be left behind.

“But in moving towards all these goals, we must never ignore or underestimate the importance of defending our human values as Malaysians and the values referred to as the morals of society,” he said.

In addition, he emphasised the concept of “Excellence Without a Soul” by emphasising that academic intelligence alone is not enough if it is separated from human values, morals and social concerns.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also shared a personal story about his close relationship with his former teacher who is also the former Education director-general, the late Tan Sri Rahman Arshad, as a symbol of the high respect a student has for teachers.

At the ceremony, Anwar also presented three awards, namely the Best School in the World, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 11 (1), Putrajaya, the National Education Leadership Award to Dr. Ahmad Rafee Che Kassim and the National Teacher Award to Abdul Rasid Bakar. — Bernama

IPOH, May 16 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) today announced 12 initiatives to empower and strengthen the role of teachers in conjunction with the 55th national-level Teachers’ Day celebration this year.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Google Certified Educator (GCE) Level 1 and Level 2 certification courses would continue to be offered free of charge to all teachers to support their professional development in digital literacy.

She said the initiative would benefit teachers nationwide, with the ministry bearing the cost of RM40 per teacher for GCE Level 1 and RM100 per teacher for GCE Level 2.

Fadhlina also said the ministry would offer a special Federal Training Award to teachers serving in schools in hardship areas including hospital classes, floating schools and rural schools in P1, P2 and P3 areas.

“They will be selected to pursue Master’s and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) programmes to ensure that our aspirations are achieved, particularly in enabling them to continue serving, while their studies will help them to continue contributing to the profession,” she said at the celebration themed ‘Guru Bitara Nadi Negara’, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the role of teachers is becoming ever more crucial in an increasingly complex world, particularly in shaping a generation with strong moral character and inner strength grounded in human values.

He said teachers’ responsibilities are no longer confined to imparting knowledge, but also include building confidence, upholding human dignity, and instilling hope and aspiration in life.

“Today we recognise the service, sacrifice and dedication of teachers, who are the backbone of nation-building and who shape the character, values and civilisation of our country.

“As global challenges grow more complex, the role of teachers becomes even more vital in shaping a generation with moral strength, capable of blending knowledge with human values and wisdom, in line with the Madani vision,” he said in a Facebook post in conjunction with Teachers’ Day today.

Anwar said that without values and ethics, development would only result in progress without direction.

The Prime Minister also recalled his teaching experience when he founded Yayasan Anda Akademik in the early 1970s, saying it deepened his understanding of the struggles faced by youths from low-income families and school dropouts, many of whom faced uncertainty about their future.

“That experience taught me that a teacher’s role is not merely to impart knowledge, but to build confidence, uphold human dignity, and instil hope and ambition in life,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to all educators for their service, sacrifice and dedication as the backbone of nation-building.

“May all educators continue to be blessed with strength, resilience and determination in educating the nation towards a more advanced, prosperous and sustainable Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Their Majesties Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah, King and Queen of Malaysia, today extended Teachers’ Day greetings to all educators in the country in appreciation of their contributions and sacrifices in educating the nation’s children.

In a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, Their Majesties also expressed appreciation to teachers, who serve as a vital pillar in shaping knowledgeable, well-mannered and competitive generations for the nation’s future.

“Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah express their appreciation for the sacrifices, patience and dedication of teachers in imparting knowledge and instilling noble values in the younger generation,” the post said.

Their Majesties also expressed hope that the welfare of educators will continue to be strengthened to ensure the teaching profession remains respected and capable of producing outstanding Malaysians.

This year’s Teachers’ Day celebration carries the theme ‘Guru Bitara, Nadi Negara’. — Bernama

IPOH, May 15 — The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has consented to 625 educators and teachers in the state delivering Friday sermons today in conjunction with Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated annually on May 16.

Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini said the royal decree was intended to appreciate and recognise the important role and contributions of educators and teachers to the people and the nation.

“His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, has decreed that the Friday sermon in Perak on May 15, 2026, should carry the theme of teachers, in conjunction with Teachers’ Day on May 16, 2026.

“His Royal Highness has consented to educators and teachers being given the honour of serving as invited khatibs to deliver the sermon titled ‘Guru Berhikmah Membina Insan Sejahtera’,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Annuar said following the royal consent, Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad would lead educators and teachers in delivering the Friday sermon at the State Mosque (Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque).

“In addition, Ministry of Education Islamic Education Division director Omar Salleh will deliver the sermon at the Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque in Ipoh, while Samad Hassan, a religious teacher from SMK Bukit Merchu, will deliver the sermon at the Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar,” he said.

Mohd Annuar added that in conjunction with the celebration, the Education Department would organise mosque enlivenment programmes at the State Mosque involving 2,000 students and education personnel.

“The students’ spiritual motivation programme will begin at 10.20 am and will be followed by the recitation of Surah Yasin, tahlil and prayers for well-being.

“His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak will also graciously attend Friday prayers together with students and education personnel at the Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque,” he said. — Bernama