17/05/2025

SATURDAY | MAY 17, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Teachers lauded for selfless sacrifice in nurturing minds

Ű BY SIVAA TANGAI RAJU newsdesk@thesundaily.com

MALACCA: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has expressed gratitude to all educators, praising their unwavering dedication to shaping future generations. Speaking in conjunction with Teachers’ Day yesterday, its secretary-general Fouzi Singon said teachers serve as role models to help students discover their potential in the face of life’s challenges. He stressed that there is a need to hire more teachers and invest in school infrastructure. There should also be caps on class size as having too many students per class diminishes individual attention and increases workload. “Excessive paperwork and bureaucratic tasks take time away from teaching,” he told theSun. “I believe it’s time to streamline administrative processes using digital tools and reduce non-teaching duties. “Student behaviour is a challenge too. Disruptive behaviour in the classroom can hinder learning for all students.” He advised students not to see tutors as “Hitlers” as their intention is not to harm anyone but to help pupils succeed. “If students think teachers are like Hitlers, it’s often a sign of deep frustration and misunderstanding because most teachers set rules with strict instructions to create a learning environment,” he added. Meanwhile, Pakiawathi Muniandy, 42, who has been teaching b iology and physics since 2006, said she pursued the profession

o NUTP and former pupils celebrate ‘saviours’ who strive to transform lives.

Teachers play a powerful role in moulding youngsters and contributing to nation building. – PIC COURTESY OF FIREFLY KOTA LAKSAMANA, MALACCA.

with a vision to guide students in achieving their ambitions. “I strive to make education fun and practical because students should engage with hands-on learning to explore subjects, rather than being confined to rigid curriculum,” she said “Teachers scold students not out of anger, but only with the care to develop their character and commitment in class. At the end of the day we hate none of them.” Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) educator Dr Tan Ling Ling said that she practises a democratic teaching method to ensure no one feels excluded or uncomfortable. “I foster a sense of community in my classroom where every student feels comfortable sharing their opinions. “I strongly believe that every student has their own unique skills and we teachers want to see them reach a reputable position in life,” she said.

Tan takes part in educational workshops and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest teaching strategies. Dr Nava Suriya, 28, said she is a veterinarian today only because of the tutors who believed in her and gave her confidence to pursue veterinary medicine. “I would like to thank my teachers for the patience, dedication and inspiration they’ve given for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance. “They were the first to notice my passion and gave me opportunities to learn more, whether through reading, discussions or even encouraging me to volunteer at animal shelters,” she said. Karen Sandra Peter, 27, a content creator, credited her teachers for influencing her foray into the digital communication industry. “Happy Teachers’ Day to those saviours who don’t just teach, but transform lives. I’m deeply thankful for all you’ve done for me. Their exposure kept me moving forward

towards my ambition. “One thing that I learned from my teacher is to never be afraid to make mistakes as it’s the only thing that makes one achieve,” she said. Pre-university student Hannah Nazilah, 19, has opted for a career in teaching after witnessing her teachers’ zeal and dedication.

“My favourite subject has always been art since elementary school and my teachers motivated me to join art competitions without fail, even when I did not win at times. “Those defeats and repeated attempts taught me courage to take important decisions in life,” she said.

Foundation’s donation brings cheer to needy schoolchildren

Indra Sunjoto (left) and Prof Alain Rival display the signed LoI during the ceremony, with officials from both organisations.

Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching during the Santuni Kasih event at SMJK Poi Lam here on April 25. It was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is Tambun MP, and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. Also present were Tan’s wife Puan Sri Esther Tan, Perak State Assembly Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen, Berjaya Group Berhad Executive Director Shashitharan Nair, state executive councillors, government officials and parents. Tan said: ”Education knows no boundaries. We believe that quality, accessible and inclusive education is a powerful force for positive change, one that can transform children’s lives and help shape a prosperous future for Malaysia. “BCorp, through Berjaya Cares Foundation, is committed to uplifting underprivileged communities by investing in education and nurturing talent. “Through Berjaya Cares Foundation, we aim to ease the financial burden of families especially those in the lower income group bracket, while helping to reduce dropout rates and improve access to education,“ added the founder and advisor of BCorp. Anwar in his speech called on students to master future technologies like digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) . “I hope schools will move swiftly. We cannot wait for five years. The courage to bring about changes must be there,” he said.

IPOH: Some 2,000 underprivileged students from 15 schools in Tambun, Perak, are able to purchase new items such as uniforms, shoes, bags and stationery, thanks to a grand RM1 million donation by Berjaya Cares Foundation (BCF). Ten student representatives went up on stage to receive the cash for their schools during a ceremony held here recently. The remaining money was passed to the other schools for distribution. Each student would receive RM500 in cash to ease the burden of purchasing essential school items. The overall donation, the largest single financial aid of its kind to schoolchildren, is part of BCF’s commitment to support education and community well-being. The initiative is also part of Berjaya Corporation Berhad’s (Bcorp) ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts. The schools are SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, SMK Kebangsaan Dato’ Haji Mohd Taib, SMK Kg Dato’ Ahmad Said, SMK Tasek Damai, SMK Tanjung Rambutan, SMK Jelapang Jaya, SMK Jati, SMK Tambun, SMK Bandar Baru Putra, SMK Ulu Kinta, SMK Poi Lam, SMK Aminuddin Baki, SABK Maahad Tahfiz Al-Q & Akademik Bakip, SABK Maahad Al-Imam Asy Syafiee and SABK Maahad Al-Ummah. A mock cheque was presented by BCF Chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun to Perak State Housing and Local Government Committee

Research partnership with French centre for biodiverse plantations

Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

climate change through science driven solutions. The LoI, signed at the SFD headquarters in Sandakan last Thursday, solidifies a partnership to advance sustainable land management in tropical ecosystems. It emphasises long-term monitoring of agroforestry configurations such as native tree rows and forest islands within plantations. “This collaboration reinforces Sabah’s leadership in sustainable forestry. TRAILS 2 will prove that oil palm production and biodiversity conservation can coexist through innovative land-use strategies,” said SFD chief conservator Datuk Frederick Kugan. His speech was read by deputy chief conservator Indra Sunjoto as representative. “We aim to move beyond theoretical debates by implementing actionable R&D,” said Prof Alain Rival, Cirad senior project

manager, representing its regional director Dr. Jean Marc Roda. “Field experiments and rigorous monitoring will build scientific evidence for regenerative agroforestry in complex landscapes like Sabah.” SFD will coordinate with the Sabah Biodiversity Centre, State Agriculture Department and the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok to align the project with local policies and provide ecological expertise. Cirad will collaborate with NGO HUTAN, led by wildlife expert Dr. Marc Ancrenaz, to monitor wildlife impacts. The initiative supports Malaysia’s environmental goals and aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Findings from TRAILS 2 are expected to guide policymakers, growers and conservationists in adopting regenerative practices for oil palm landscapes.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and France’s Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (Cirad) have signed a letter of i ntent (LoI) to launch a collaborative agroforestry research project dubbed TRAILS 2. The initiative aims to transform oil palm landscapes into bio diverse productive ecosystems, with a pilot site at the Melangking Oil Palm Plantation in Sukau. The project on “agroforestry plantations for biodiversity and ecosystem services” will study how oil palm-based agroforestry systems can integrate with native trees to enhance ecological connectivity, soil health and wildlife habitats. Covering 100 hectares, it seeks to balance agricultural productivity with conservation, addressing deforestation, biodiversity loss and