Dato Sri Michael Manyin
KUCHING: Teachers play a pivotal role in realising Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s aspiration for the young generation to have a good command of the English language.
Those serving in the rural areas are particularly very crucial for the aspiration, according to state Youth and Sports and Solidarity Minister Datuk Sri Micheal Manyin Jawong.
“This is because there is no English tuition class and students have very little opportunity to mingle with those who speak the language,” he said when officiating at the state level Teachers Day celebration here last night.
He said the state government was making English as the second official language to facilitate proficiency among the local people as it is a world language.
“We have achieved the objective of Bahasa Malaysia as the official language and the language to unite us all. Our society is still very cohesive despite the racial or religious differences,” he pointed out.
Manyin suggested that teachers initially help their students in speaking and writing simple English “and not to care too much about the grammar”.
“When they have reached a point when they can converse, then we should pay attention to the grammar,” he said.
On the celebration, he said it was to honour teachers for their noble contributions and sacrifices.
“While teachers are the producers of all professionals, they are not actually associated with or appreciated for such role.
“People tend to respect their end products more than the teachers who help to produce them in the first place,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ling Sim Hie of SMK Bintulu in Bintulu was awarded the ‘Anugerah Ikon Guru’ (Teacher Icon Award) while Jais Sahok of Kuching District Education Office, the ‘Anugerah Pencaipaian Khas Guru’ (Special Achievement Award).
Also honoured were Nor Azrolnisham Nordin from SK Gita 2, who received the with ‘Anugerah Guru Cemerlang Pendidikan Khas’ (Special Education Award) and Thomas lau Ing Ngan of SMK St Joseph, who was awarded the ‘Anugerah kepimpinan Teknoloji Maklumat dan Komunikasi’ (Information Technology and Communication Leadership Award).– Bernama