Gaya College, the heart of teacher education, turns 55
THE heart of teacher education lies in the only campus that was built for the sole purpose of educating teachers for the English and Chinese medium schools in the state of Sabah.
Fifty-five years of excellence show the importance and significance of Gaya College or Maktab Gaya to the development of education in Sabah. More than 40,000 teachers have walked through its gates since it was officially opened on July 4, 1963.
Prominent and influential public figures have served and have been trained in Gaya Campus to serve Sabah and Malaysia in education, journalism, corporate sectors and charitable organisations.
Datuk Kamal D.E. Quadra, Datuk Jame Alip, Datuk Hajah Rita Jaafar, Mohd Sirhajwan Idek and many more have brought Gaya’s name to national and international recognition. The college hopes to get all achievements documented in the near future.
Maktab Gaya, a name that carries so many sentimental and fond memories, has undergone changes through the years. Once a certificate and diploma awarding body, Maktab Gaya is now known as the Institute of Teacher Education or Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Gaya (IPGK Gaya), a diploma and degree awarding body under the Ministry of Education since 2007.
IPGK Gaya reports to the Rector of the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM), which operates from its Cyberjaya site in Kuala Lumpur.
Through Gaya’s 10-year strategic plan 2016-2025, Gaya Beyond 2025, PLC, leadership, research, community outreach, new directions in teaching and learning, lifelong learning, local and international smart partnerships and experiences are goals to be attained by Gaya’s students, staff and lecturers. All these are in line with the 2025 School Transformation and the IPGM Transformation plans. Currently, Gaya conducts teacher education training for these preservice programmes: Kursus Persediaan Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PPISMP), Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda (PISMP), Program Diploma Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah (PDPLI), Teach for Malaysia (TFM), courses conducted during the holidays and other in-service courses for teachers in schools under Sabah State Education Department, polytechnics and other institution of higher learning.
The 2018 June intake will see new students being placed by IPGM in selected campuses according to niche areas.
This year marks the Emerald Jubilee of IPGK Gaya. The whole year is dedicated to the advancement of Gaya’s success and glory. The jubilee celebration will encompass a whole year’s programme focusing on leadership, research, programme evaluation, educational innovation competitions, sports and health, excellence awards, religious observances, teachers’ day celebration, patriotism and community outreach.
The Programme Evaluation held in collaboration with JKKN Sabah in March kick started the jubilee celebration. It was a huge success bringing in research enthusiasts from Kudat, Sandakan, Keningau and Kota Kinabalu with principals, teachers, School Improvement Specialist Coaches from schools, district education offices and lecturers from Kent, Keningau and Gaya Campuses taking part.
The main expert called to share his expertise was Professor Dr Vincent Pang, director of the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Academic Quality UMS, who also served in Maktab Gaya in the 90s.
Gaya CLEO also showed brilliant teamwork from the Gaya heads of departments, lecturers, support staff and students alongside the headmistress, teachers, students and community in Kampung Tudan.
The Language Department under the leadership of Juliana Johari led the team towards collecting more that 420 books, mainly in English for the benefit of the students of SK Tudan.
It was a delight to see the children rushing to feast their eyes on words that brought them to adventures in different lands.
The whole programme was placed under the good hands of Ravi, A/L Margapandu, head of the Physical and Health Education and Haidatullaila binti Khalid, head of the Cocurriculum Unit to ensure planning, implementation, evaluation and review of Gaya CLEO were conducted professionally.
In another programme, the Intervention and Innovation of teaching and learning (i-IPC), the involvement of so many innovators among teachers, students, lecturers and undergraduates paved the way forward for new discovery and learning for better facilitation of learning.
Opening minds and hearts towards creativity, the spirit of esprit de corp, volunteerism, leadership and community service are central towards the development of strong mental health, true grit and moral values for the young generation.
The most anticipated programmes that all Gaya’s alumni, community and family must look forward to fall in the period of June 30 to July 4. Gaya’s director invites everyone to come and support these wonderful displays of talent, oneness and network of exceptional communities.
It will be a night to remember on Saturday, June 30 with The Flight of the Phoenix at the JKKN Auditorium from 7.30pm. Entertain your senses at exhibition booths, FAMA stalls and exciting activities for everyone during the Gaya Extravaganza from July 2 to 4 at Gaya Campus, from 8am to 4pm.
An evening with Gaya’s faithful alumni, Sodop Pisompuruan will be held on July 4 at the Promenade Hotel from 7.30 to 11 pm. Come one, come all Gaya awaits!
Visit our website: http:// ipgkg.moe.edu.my or contact Norwainie binti Yakub at 088-210 646 for further information.