MEDIA STATEMENT
TEACHER’S DAY 2025
16 MAY 2025
Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA) extends its highest appreciation and gratitude to all educators for their invaluable service, dedication and sacrifices in shaping the future of our nation.
In conjunction with this year’s Teacher’s Day celebration, themed “Teachers as Drivers of Educational Reform”, MASA strongly believes that teachers are not merely conveyors of knowledge but also the key architects of educational policies, pedagogical innovation and progressive learning cultures, grounded in contemporary values and realities.
In the face of the digital era, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the rapid pace of globalisation, the role of teachers has become more critical than ever. They are entrusted not only with imparting knowledge but also with nurturing soft skills, critical thinking and a strong sense of national identity among students in preparing them to become resilient, ethical and competitive citizens.
While the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) outlines key initiatives such as the Malaysian Teacher Standards (SGM) and the Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD), issues and challenges surrounding teacher readiness and empowerment remain inadequately addressed.
Although student performance metrics such as academic achievement and well-being are rightly prioritised, sustainable investment in teachers’ professional development has yet to reach the level required for meaningful impact.
The lack of strategic focus on teacher empowerment in educational development plans reveals a significant gap that could hinder Malaysia’s aspirations for educational reform. To bridge this gap, teaching quality, the capacity to address diverse student needs and the readiness to integrate modern technology into pedagogy must be placed at the heart of education policy.
Malaysia now stands at a pivotal moment in transitioning toward a more inclusive and sustainable education system. As such, the professionalism of teachers must be elevated as a central agenda in policy discourse and reform implementation.
The focus must shift beyond teacher quantity and physical infrastructure, toward enhancing teaching quality that fosters holistic student performance and excellence.
In this regard, MASA calls on the Ministry of Education (MOE) to intensify efforts to strengthen teaching professionalism through pedagogical innovation, improved digital infrastructure and continuous professional development to address the unique needs of 21st-century education.
This is particularly vital in supporting teachers in rural and remote areas who continue to face technological barriers and digital poverty.
Happy Teacher’s Day to all educators who are pillars of transformation and beacons of hope for our nation. Your service is a profound trust and the foundation of our country’s success.
AZRIL MOHD AMIN
Chief Executive Officer
Institut Masa Depan Malaysia
