Good role model: Sultan Nazrin (right) presenting the 2023 Perak Excellent Teacher Award to Zulkifli during the ceremony at a hotel in Ipoh. — Bernama
IPOH: Despite heading for retirement in just a few months, Zulkifli Ahmad, 59, will continue to teach those in need.
The recipient of the 2023 Perak Excellent Teacher Award (Anugerah Tokoh Guru) said he will be teaching Orang Asli who are Islamic missionaries in Sungai Siput.
“I am the current principal at SM Agama Rakyat (SMAR) Orang Asli Nurul Hidayah Kampung Kenang, Sungai Siput. This would be my fifth year at the school, and I will retire in June next year.
“Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) director Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim suggested a religious centre be set up near the school where I can help guide the missionaries using my teaching experience,” he told reporters after receiving the award at the Perak Islamic Education Excellence Awards Ceremony here yesterday.
“This achievement was not done alone. I have to thank my family and my colleagues for making it possible.
“I feel that there are more deserving teachers who should receive this award. However, I am certainly thankful,” he said after receiving the award from Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Also present at the event were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, state infrastructure committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, and education committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah.
Zulkifli said seeing his students’ success is one of the many reasons he continues to be a teacher.
“I started teaching in 1991 and it never crossed my mind to change my profession. I was perhaps influenced by my father who was also a teacher, but it is also my passion. I feel that this is my calling and also how I can contribute to society.
“Sometimes when I go for health check-ups, I will meet my students who work at the hospital or clinic. I have students who work as teachers, lawyers, and even doctorate holders too. It makes me feel proud,” he said, adding that his wife and their four children are also teachers.
He said teaching at an Orang Asli school comes with its own challenges.
“Before this, I worked at Al-Hidayah Education Centre in Ipoh for 25 years. I was the headmaster, principal, and chief executive officer. But later, I felt that I needed to tackle new challenges and that was how I became the principal at the Orang Asli school.
“Adapting to their culture and language was among the things I had to do first and I was lucky that we have Orang Asli teachers in the school to help me out.
“We had to find ways to motivate students as some of them were the first in the family to go to school. We held several seminars where successful Orang Asli gave talks to motivate the students.
“We also continue to check our students even after they graduate from school. We have students who are currently studying in various local universities, and for those who are not interested in pursuing their academic studies, we will get them to apply for technical and vocational education and training,” he added.
There were 24 awards given during the ceremony, including the Perak Excellent SMKA School for 2023 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, won by SM Tahfiz Darul Ridzuan Batang Padang, Perak Islamic Kindergarten (TIP) Excellent Teacher award won by Noorfaiza Mat Zubir from TIP Zafirah in Kampung Jong Gerik, and Perak TIP Excellent Supervisor award won by Siti Nadiah Abu Kasim from Kampung Relang, Batu Kurau.
