Professionalism, Quality Of Teachers Must Be Raised To Face Global Competition - DPM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that raising the professionalism and quality of teachers should be given priority in facing global competition which called for dynamic changes in the education system.

He said this was in line with the considerable role and responsibilities placed on the teachers and the deep commitment demanded in churning out successful human beings including national leaders.

"Becoming teachers now is certainly not as easy as it may seem. The teachers must always add value to their intellectualism because the teachers represent the agents of change in producing human capital needed by the country.

"Great teachers groom their students to become leaders. Ordinary teachers direct us along the path but great teachers inspire us to seek our own path. They encourage us to discover our talents," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, said this when launching the 43rd National Level Teachers' Day with the theme 'Teachers: The Creator of Crativity, Generator of Innovations' at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Friday.

Also present were Deputy Education Ministers I and II, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching and P Kamalanathan as well as thousands of teachers.

In order to raise the professionalism and quality of local teachers, Muhyiddin said the ministry would strengthen teacher training at the Teachers Educational Institutes (IPG) involving courses in the training programmes which also emphasised on the aspects of creativity and innovations.

"The elements on innovation will also be given emphasis through the Teaching Diploma Programme (PDP) that includes presentations, projects, construction of sources, innovation competitions for sustainable education and online learning.

"The encultration of innovations at the IPG is also strengthened at the IPG campus level," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said 566 primary schools had received the Headmasters New Offer Awards for their success in raising the achievements of their respective schools beyond the targeted performance last year.

They comprised 209 urban schools, 302 rural schools and 55 interior schools.

"This shows an improvement compared with the achievement in 2012 where 180 urban schools and 280 rural schools received the awards," he said.

At the function, former director-general of education, Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom was chosen as the National Leadership Figure while former Outstanding Principal, Tengku Azuan Tengku Mohamed was named as the National Teacher Figure (Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan).

Former Mathematics teacher who taught Muhyiddin at the Muar High School, Yusuf Karto, 80, was specially brought for the occasion and feted at a luncheon in conjunction with the celebration.

-- BERNAMA 

Bernama Online

Friday 16 May 2014.