DPM Zahid: Allow teachers to return to primary role as educators by overhauling workload

Borneo Post

16-05-2025

Ahmad Zahid delivers his speech at the event. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (May 16): The workload of teachers must undergo a comprehensive overhaul to enable them to return to their primary role as educators, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister cited this as among five key directions to rebuild Malaysia's education ecosystem.
'Teachers must be return to their original roles. Use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation wisely to minimise routine tasks and optimise teachers' precious time with their students,' Ahmad Zahid said in his keynote address at the National Teachers' Day 2025 celebration here today.
He emphasised that meaningful education reform must be grounded in a long-term vision and guided by teachers.
'The national education direction must be constantly refreshed. We cannot be content with current achievements. The education system must continue to evolve to ensure that every Malaysian child receives an education that is relevant, balanced, and meaningful.
'The government is committed to driving change that is not merely reactive, but anchored in a long-term vision. We are taking strategic steps, building the ecosystem, and implementing plans to ensure our education future remains resilient in the face of changing times,' he said.
He stressed that priority must be given to ensure inclusive and equitable change.
With a record RM64.1 billion allocated under Budget 2025 — the highest in Malaysia's history — he pointed out the funding must not remain as figures on paper but must reach the schools, teachers, and students who need it most.
He highlighted the importance of safeguarding the welfare of all educators, including those often overlooked such as Kafa (Al-Quran and Fardhu Ain Class) teachers, tahfiz instructors, educators with disabilities, and special education teachers.
These groups frequently go beyond their basic duties yet are too often left out of recognition and support systems, he said.
He also called for digital transformation to be accelerated in a fair and balanced manner.
The Deputy Prime Minister said digital literacy among both teachers and students must be strengthened, and all teachers should be equipped to integrate technology in their teaching, while students must be guided to become ethical and proficient digital users.
He stressed it is also vital to establish a meaningful and sustained recognition system for teachers, which should not be limited to ceremonial events such as Teachers' Day, but built into the public service system.
Teachers in rural areas, special needs educators, and those who develop their own innovative teaching materials deserve acknowledgement and reward for their contributions, he said.
'I want to see more teachers like Cikgu Sydney Engelbert from Keningau, who brought pride to Malaysia by winning the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award.
'I want more teachers like Cikgu Nazmi, a finalist of the Global Teacher Prize. More like Nurhayatul, recipient of the Asia Education Award, and Cikgu Siti Zaitun Khazali, who teaches special needs children to read the Quran — let their struggles not be in vain, let them not remain unheard on the margins of the system,' he added. ahmad zahid hamidi lead teacher workload