Make online teaching the way forward, PM advises teachers

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KUALA LUMPUR: On Teachers’ Day today, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin advised teachers to make online teaching the way forward in education.

The prime minister called on teachers to sharpen their skills pertaining to online teaching and home-based learning, saying this will be the new norm in the teaching profession brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that during the period of ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO), imposed to check the spread of COVID-19, teaching and learning could not be conducted face-to-face and teachers began using a variety of other methods to keep in touch with their pupils and students.

“Many teachers are using online applications like Google Classroom, cikgooTUBE and Zoom for home-based learning. Others are also using WhatsApp and Telegram applications.

“I was informed there are also teachers providing sports training online,” he said in his special message on Teachers’ Day delivered over the television networks. The theme of Teachers’ Day 2020 is Berguru Demi Ilmu, Bina Generasi Baru (Teaching for Knowledge, Shaping a New Generation).

“Schools will be reopened first for the students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM), Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) examinations.

“I know this will take time. That is why the Malaysia Education Blueprint was formulated for implementation within a period of 12 years, from 2013 to 2025.

“We have five more years to go to boost the quality of education in the country so that we can be in the top third in quality in the international education system,” he said.

Wishing teachers ‘Happy Teachers’ Day’, he said May 16 is most meaningful for all teachers and it will usually see celebrations with a variety of activities in schools besides the numerous messages and well wishes sent by students to their teachers via WhatsApp, Twitter or Instagram.

This year, he said, the atmosphere of Teachers’ Day is far different from that of the previous occasions because the country is still fighting the war against Covid-19.

“However, this does not mean that we cannot celebrate this very special day for teachers. The deeds, contributions and sacrifices of teachers will never be forgotten. They will continue to be cherished and nourished in our hearts,” he said. – Bernama