WHILE striving for academic excellence, Malaysians must be hard-working, trustworthy and disciplined to be successful in their fields, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

He said teachers must instill these three values in their students from young to make it a culture.

“This is why I am still stressing on the Look East Policy because advanced nations like Japan and Korea have earned the respect of the world with their achievements and culture of discipline, diligence and trustworthiness, as well as patriotism,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said this in his speech to officiate the 48th national Teachers’ Day celebration in Penang this morning. Teachers’ Day is celebrated on May 16 every year.

While recognising the importance of Bahasa Malaysia, the prime minister also reiterated the need for students to master English in order to communicate better.

With Malaysia moving towards Industrial Revolution 4.0, he said teachers must also get their students interested in subjects like English, Science, Mathematics and Technology.

“Educators must be sensitive to the changes in the world, which is moving very fast.” 

He also reaffirmed the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in training high skilled Malaysians, calling it a game-changer that will boost Malaysia’s competitiveness and contribute to development.

Dr Mahathir also said making the education agenda a success does not lie on the shoulders of teachers alone, encouraging parents to also play their role in their children’s education.

“Schools belong to the community. Parents should involve themselves voluntarily in school activities that can help to progress their children’s achievements.”

Later, when he was congratulating teachers across Malaysia for their hard work, and urging them to continue the noble job entrusted to them, Dr Mahathir seemed briefly overcome by emotions.

“I hope all teachers will be given the strength to continue the struggle,” he said.

Earlier he had said he always felt touched when invited to Teachers’ Day celebrations because just like everyone else, his life today is the outcome of the hard work of every teacher who had taught him.

“If I am considered to be successful, it is the result of the good education I received from my teachers, apart from my parents.

“If I have shortcomings, it is not because of the lack of teaching by my teachers; but because of my own weakness and inability to fully receive their teachings.”  – May 16, 2019.