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THE nation’s top leadership has delivered a united message of appreciation and support for educators nationwide, describing teachers as the foundation of national progress and the driving force behind the country’s future development.
In conjunction with Teacher’s Day celebrations, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reflected on his own early experience as an educator, saying it shaped his understanding of the deeper role teachers play in transforming lives and restoring dignity to disadvantaged communities.
“Today, we recognise the contributions, sacrifices and dedication of teachers who serve as the backbone in shaping the nation’s future generations and moulding the morals, values and civilisation of our country.
“I myself once went through the experience of being an educator when establishing Yayasan Anda Akademik in the early 1970s. At that time, I saw many young people from poor families who had fallen behind in education, arriving with anxiety about their future.
“That experience taught me that the role of a teacher is not merely to impart knowledge, but to build confidence, uplift human dignity and instil hope and aspirations in life,” he said.
Anwar stressed that the increasingly complex global environment had elevated the importance of teachers in shaping morally grounded and intellectually capable generations aligned with the principles of the MADANI framework.
“As the challenges of the world become increasingly complex, the role of teachers becomes ever more critical in shaping generations who possess moral strength and depth of character, enabling them to enrich knowledge with the values of humanity and wisdom, in line with the MADANI vision. Without values and proper conduct, development will only produce progress that has lost its direction.
“May all educators continue to be blessed with strength, perseverance and determination in educating the nation’s children for a more advanced, prosperous and sustainable Malaysia.
“Happy Teacher’s Day — Exemplary Teachers, Pulse of the Nation,” Anwar added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof reaffirmed the government’s commitment to elevating the status of the teaching profession and ensuring educators receive adequate support in carrying out their responsibilities.
In a Facebook message marking Teacher’s Day, Fadillah said educators today carried responsibilities far beyond classroom instruction and were central to nation-building efforts.
“The Teacher’s Day celebration themed ‘Guru Bitara, Nadi Negara’ or “Exemplary Teachers, Pulse of the Nation” carries profound meaning because teachers are not merely conveyors of knowledge in the classroom, but outstanding educators who shape the future of the nation and serve as the main driving force behind the country’s progress.
“It is through the hands of teachers that generations who are knowledgeable, morally upright, critical-minded and capable of competing globally are produced,” he said.
Fadillah also quoted former South African president Nelson Mandela, who famously described education as “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
He said the government would continue strengthening the national education agenda to ensure Malaysia produces future generations with academic excellence, strong moral values, patriotism and global competitiveness.
“We want to produce Malaysian children who are not only excellent academically, but who also possess admirable character, patriotic spirit and strong competitiveness for a glorious Malaysia,” he said.
The dual messages from the nation’s leadership coincided with nationwide celebrations themed “Guru Bitara, Nadi Negara” or “Exemplary Teachers, Pulse of the Nation”, recognising educators as central pillars of Malaysia’s social, moral and economic advancement. - May 16, 2026
