This year’s Teachers Day theme, Guru Insani Pemangkin Generasi Madani, said NUTP president Aminuddin Awang, is very relevant to the current development of the education world and the direction of the unity government.
“The teaching profession is very challenging now. In addition to ensuring that students achieve certain set targets, teachers also have to deal with parents who constantly bombard them with daily complaints and demands.
“We need not only knowledgeable and pedagogically skilled teachers, but also those who possess good human qualities such as patience, empathy and concern for their students,” he said.
Describing the theme as a call for teachers to be passionate and to uphold noble values in striving to contribute towards the development of all learners, Universiti Malaya Education Faculty senior lecturer and teacher-trainer Assoc Prof Dr Zuwati Hasim said teachers are the agents of change through which their knowledge, personality and character play great influence in creating a safe and positive learning environment for the learners.
Under the Madani concept, which stresses the values of sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion, teachers play a crucial role in today’s society, said Zuwati.
Their role is not limited to imparting knowledge, but to include developing well-rounded individuals who are knowledgeable, creative, with good attitudes, interpersonal skills and values, she added.
“As knowledge providers, facilitators, mentors, advisors, role models and advocates for their students, they need to keep up with the current trend of teaching and learning that also demands them to collaborate with others.”
Now that you have read the article, test your understanding by carrying out the following English language activities.
1. Teachers Day is coming up. Using words and pictures from today’s copy of the Sunday Star newspaper, design a Teachers Day card for your teacher. Be as creative as possible! When you are done, present it to your teacher.
2. Study the wish list provided by the NUTP and TFM. Are there any other wishes for the education system you hope to add to the list? Discuss with your activity partner. Then, individually, rank
the top three wishes you hope to see fulfilled. Explain your choices.
The Star’s Newspaper-inEducation (Star-NiE) programme promotes the use of English language in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my
