Education is the cornerstone of national development, and its impact on a country’s future cannot be overstated. As outlined in the Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2013-2025, “education plays a central role in any country’s pursuit of economic growth and national development. There is no better predictor of a nation’s future than what is currently happening in its classrooms” (Ministry of Education, 2013). This statement underscores a powerful truth: the future of our nation is being shaped by the quality of education we provide today — and this quality, in turn, depends on the quality of our teachers.
Findings from recent reports such as the PISA 2022 assessment have highlighted some concerning indicators about the state of our education. More than 50% of Malaysian students lack basic proficiency in reading and mathematics, while only a small percentage can be categorised as high-performing (OECD, 2023).
Furthermore, socio-economically advantaged students continue to outperform their peers from disadvantaged backgrounds, revealing persistent inequalities. Given these challenges, where should we concentrate our efforts to reap the most significant student outcomes?
Why Investing in Teachers Is Key to Achieving Quality Education
Research has consistently shown that the quality of teachers plays a pivotal role in determining student outcomes. Although a child’s family background is the strongest predictor of learning outcomes, the quality of their teachers becomes the most crucial factor once they are in school (World Bank, 2024). In Malaysia, concerns about teacher shortages and quality are evident, with 24% of principals reporting a lack of teaching staff in their schools and 22% highlighting issues related to teaching quality (OECD, 2023). World Bank analyses also highlighted gaps in teacher preparedness, effectiveness and training. 
Thus, the quality of an education system hinges on the quality of its teachers. This makes it imperative to attract the most promising and diverse talent to serve as teachers, school leaders, and officers in the public education system. In addition, teacher training needs to be strengthened and more attention must be paid towards the continuous professional development of our teachers to produce the best outcomes. These efforts will help ensure that our education system is driven by skilled talent with the capacity to achieve the goals and desired outcomes outlined in our National Education Philosophy.
The Need for Greater Investment in Teacher Training and Development
It is widely recognised that investing in education is an investment in the nation’s future. This is reflected in our policies and budget allocations, with the Ministry of Education receiving the highest funding year by year, signalling its priority. In 2024, RM58.7 billion was allocated to the Ministry. Despite this significant investment, we have yet to see substantial improvements in educational outcomes. This trend is not unique to Malaysia; many countries face similar challenges. Therefore, the focus should not only be on how much is spent but where it is spent.
While substantial portions of the education budget are typically allocated towards operational costs (the lion’s share going to salaries), infrastructure improvements and financial aid, which are important to broaden access, equal emphasis must be placed on enhancing the quality of education through the training and upskilling of educators. The Ministry of Education’s budget in 2024 for in-service teacher training is RM14 million, which equates to approximately RM34 per teacher. This represents only a small fraction of the overall education budget. Hence, there is an urgent need for a substantial boost in investment towards high-quality continuous professional development (CPD) to better address teachers’ development needs. Additionally, teachers need to be equipped with the skills to deliver differentiated instruction that meets the needs of diverse students and closes the learning gaps.
As Budget 2025 will be tabled soon, it is hoped that this critical aspect of improving education quality will be given due consideration. Contribute your voice by submitting proposals to Budget 2025 sini to ensure this vital area receives the attention it deserves.
How Teach For Malaysia Contributes to Nation-Building
For more than 10 years, Teach For Malaysia (TFM) has been developing and supporting local talents to make an impact in the Malaysian education ecosystem. Through our Fellowship programme, we recruit and develop passionate leaders to teach in high-need schools, enabling them to become changemakers in the education sector.
As our movement grows, we envision TFM as a platform where individuals from diverse backgrounds can collaborate and contribute to nation-building through education, united by our shared desire for a better Malaysia for all. To achieve that, we have expanded our programmes to reach existing teachers and leaders in the public education sector, supporting them through capacity-building programmes to drive system transformation.
By equipping teachers with the tools and resources they need, we are empowering them to deliver high-quality education where every child has the opportunity to realise their potential, regardless of their background. Thus, improving the quality of teachers remains our best bet in breaking the cycle of education inequity. As such, we are committed to scaling our programmes to reach more teachers and students across Malaysia with the support of our partners.
Teachers Are Shapers of Our Future
As we celebrate Malaysia during this patriotic season, it is important to recognise the crucial role that education and the teachers at the helm of it play in shaping the nation’s future. When we invest in our teachers, we invest in the future of our country, laying the groundwork for a stronger, prosperous and more equitable Malaysia.
Looking for opportunities to contribute towards nation-building efforts through education initiatives? Here are some ideas:
– Derma to break the cycle of education inequity
– Volunteer as a tutor in PPR communities
– Mohon to become a Fellow for a life-changing experience
– Work with us at Teach for Malaysia to kickstart a high-impact career
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