‘TEACHERS CRUCIAL IN NATION-BUILDING’
They are agents of change who shape society, says Sultan Nazrin
NURADZIMMAH DAIM
AND BALQIS JAZIMAH ZAHARI KUALA KANGSAR news@nst.com.my
THE role of teachers goes beyond classroom lessons and is instrumental in nation-building, said Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
He said the government had, since 1957, placed utmost priority on education and the role of teachers as agents of change to shape the minds of society.
He said while the country was facing threats from the communists and racial confrontations, which led to the May 13, 1969 incident, the government with Tun Abdul Razak Hussein at the helm persevered and chose to educate the people instead of expanding military strength.
“During the emergency, the country was under the administration of the National Operations Council with Razak as the director. He chose a formula that provided education opportunities for the people by building more universities, colleges and institutes that came with scholarships for poor families.
“Teachers continued to play a vital role in leadership that, until the 1980s, 40 per cent of the delegates at the Umno general assemblies consisted of teachers.
“The position of education minister was seen as a stepping stone for politicians and teachers were kingmakers,” he said at a luncheon to mark the state-level Teachers Day celebration at Istana Iskandariah here.
He reminded parents not to rely solely on teachers in educating their children and stressed the importance of upholding the family institution.
Education and religious institutions played an important role in the development of a nation.
Rahimah Mohd Sura, 63, former principal of SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah was named Tokoh Guru, while 10 other teachers were honoured for their contributions.