KUALA LUMPUR - Everyone, including national leaders, have showered praises on and showed their appreciation for the services and sacrifices of teachers in producing successful people.
Social media platforms have been inundated with Happy Teachers’ Day greetings, with the theme ‘Guru Insani Pemangkin Generasi Madani’ (Teachers as a catalyst for Madani generation), including from the Deputy Prime Minister and ministers.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed his gratitude to all the teachers and hoped that all the knowledge imparted by them would be an endless reward.
"Guru Insani Pemangkin Generasi Madani. Happy Teachers’ Day to all educators nationwide,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, also the Plantation and Commodities Minister, quoted the poem 'Guru oh Guru' by Usman Awang to describe the sacrifices and contributions of teachers.
‘Guru oh Guru’ describes how teachers are responsible for educating future kings, prime ministers, presidents, noble scholars, lawyers, prominent writers and every adult and how their journey started with an ordinary teacher, who patiently taught them reading and writing.
Fadillah said he is where he is now, thanks to the upbringing of those who hold the title of teacher and he also thanked the teachers who had taught him and his children as well as all teachers in Malaysia.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the teacher's role is not only to educate but also to help develop students' personalities so that they can face life with determination and courage.
She said that she learned and realised many things from her meetings with teachers through various programmes nationwide.
"Dear teachers, I humbly wish to say 'Happy Teachers' Day' to you special people for nurturing independent souls," she said.
Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil also thanked teachers for imparting knowledge and their services in educating the community.
"Without you, who are we? Happy Teachers' Day!” he said.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa acknowledged the heavy burden shouldered by teachers who are entrusted with educating the nation's children because they (the teachers) are responsible for turning them into 'somebody'.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to my teachers at Sekolah Perempuan Sultan Ibrahim, MRSM Kota Bharu, MRSM Seremban and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Not forgetting my parents, senior doctors and friends who taught me a lot about the meaning of life and service," he said.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub also thanked all the teachers in Malaysia who sacrificed all their energy to produce a progressive, intelligent and viable generation for a better country.
"Teachers are instrumental in producing an excellent generation. They not only impart worldly knowledge but also teach the values of love, character and compassion in life," he said.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu also expressed his gratitude to all teachers in Malaysia with two verses from a poem that honours teachers:
"Penat bertanam berhenti dahulu,
Selesaikan kerja baru berangkat,
Amanat ditanam itulah guru,
Petua dipegang ilmu diangkat.”
- BERNAMA