KUCHING: The Ministry of Education (KPM) announced five new initiatives in conjunction with the 2025 Teachers' Day Celebration which was held in a lively atmosphere, with the main focus on efforts to empower the teaching profession and improve the well-being of educators.

Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, said the first initiative provides relief to thousands of teachers nationwide – namely permission to apply for teacher transfers after two years or 24 months of service without any additional conditions.

"We will also appoint 1,470 MyPg Personnel, namely teaching assistants for the year 2025 where each school selected based on certain criteria will receive two teaching assistants to assist in daily tasks, allowing teachers to focus fully on the teaching and learning process," she said.

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

Meanwhile, Fadhlina added that 32 outstanding teachers including recipients of the IKON Award, Innovative Teacher Award, Special Education Award and Trustworthy Teacher Award will be given the opportunity to gain international education experience at schools in the United Kingdom for free through the Global Immersion For Future-Ready Teachers (GIFT) programme.

In addition, KPM also provides opportunities for selected teachers and officers to participate in short-term course programmes abroad in strategic and high-impact fields in strengthening professional skills among the country's teaching workforce.

As an additional appreciation, the fifth initiative announced offers a 20 per cent discount on the purchase of plane tickets for teachers to all destinations in the country through the MH GoM portal to facilitate travel arrangements for teachers, especially those working far from their hometowns.

These five initiatives have been welcomed by educators and are seen as progressive steps by KPM in building a more sustainable, responsive and future-oriented education ecosystem.

The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who also officiated the presentation of the 2025 National Education Leadership Figure Award to Datuk Dr. Mistirine Radin and the 2025 National Level Teacher Figure Award which was received by Sukimin Juki.

Also present were 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