Seeking change agents

ONE in two Malaysian students do not meet the minimum requirements in Mathematics and more than 50 per cent of Malaysian students do not meet the minimum proficiency levels in reading. If you are graduating or have recently graduated from university and would like to do something impactful in education, consider applying to become a fellow at Teach For Malaysia (TFM).

On its recruitment drive, the independent notfor-profit organisation is seeking outstanding graduates and professionals who possess the passion, commitment and qualities needed to drive its mission of empowering disadvantaged children in high-need schools across the country to be inspired to learn and realise that they can chart a better future.

“Thousands of students in Malaysia come from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds where they are forced to juggle between finding their own food, looking after their parents, keeping themselves safe, and going to school. These are the same children that are expected to compete with city kids who’ve had the opportunity to go to private schools, attend tuition classes, buy the best reference books and invest 100 per cent of their attention into their own future. The harsh reality is that many of us are jaded with the thought that nothing can be done. Teach For Malaysia believes in the contrary. Every day, we do our level best to ensure that more students have the opportunity to attain an excellent education,” said Teach For Malaysia’s Board of Trustees chairperson Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Muhriz.

He was speaking at the launch of this year’s fundraising campaign #EmpoweredTo Unlock MY Potential in Kuala Lumpur.

The campaign aims to strengthen individual donor support for TFM. A monthly donation of RM50 contributes to the resources needed to impact an equivalent of two students, with each TFM fellow impacting an average of 150 students a year. To date, the not-for-profit organisation has impacted over 44,000 students working with the Ministry of Education and other partners.

“Our fellows act as the change agent that morphs the children into catalyst of change — not only for themselves but also their respective communities,” said Tunku Ali.

To be eligible to apply to become a fellow, applicants must have Malaysian citizenship, aged 32 years or below, have a minimum grade of credit in SPM Bahasa Melayu, possess a Bachelor’s degree in any non-education discipline, possess a strong academic and extra-curricular track record, and have neither applied nor received offers to teach in government schools previously.

“We are seeking out our country’s top talent to empower some of our country’s most disadvantaged children. If you are a working professional or a graduate with strong leadership skills, great communication, and a passion to make a difference in the lives of our nation’s youth, we want you,” said TFM co-founder and managing director Dzameer Dzulkifli.

Teach For Malaysia’s Board of Trustees chairperson