KUCHING: The government has outlined five main directions in its efforts to rebuild the national education ecosystem to be more sustainable, inclusive and future-oriented.

Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed that the largest allocation in the country's history for the education sector through Budget 2025, amounting to RM64.1 billion, must be channeled effectively and fairly to all deserving recipients.

"Change must be inclusive and equitable. This large allocation cannot just be pretty on paper, but must truly reach the grassroots and achieve the real goal," he said.

He said this when speaking at the National Teachers' Day Celebration Ceremony 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday.

Meanwhile, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid also proposed the smart use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to reduce routine workload and enable teachers to focus fully on students.

On the third aspect, he emphasised the importance of safeguarding the welfare of all levels of teachers, including KAFA teachers, tahfiz teachers, teachers with disabilities (OKU) status and special education teachers, as this group is often marginalised in the radar of appreciation despite their great contributions.

He added that digital transformation is the fourth direction that is described as an urgent need in the current field of education.

He also emphasised that every teacher needs to master technology and be able to integrate it into teaching, while students must be trained to be fluent and ethical digital users.

In his speech, he also urged that the teacher recognition system be strengthened as the fifth direction, especially teachers who serve in remote areas, special education teachers and those who create their own modules should be celebrated more meaningfully in the service system.

"We must see that teachers who work in the remote areas of Sarawak, Sabah and their Orang Asli schools should be given new incentives," he stressed.

In addition, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid also touched on the need for continuous training for TVET teachers under the Ministry of Education to ensure that vocational education remains relevant and in line with industry needs.

Also present were Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek; Minister of Works, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Ministers, and other dignitaries. -UKASnews