Malaysia Teacher Prize Summit & Award Ceremony 2023
Why Prize Initiatives?
At the heart of every thriving education system is a teacher whose impact extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. Prize initiatives begin with a bold belief that teachers are not just facilitators of learning, but visionary leaders capable of transforming schools, communities, and systems.
The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers and principals.
Teachers who feel that their work is valued by society are more satisfied with their job and more likely to report high levels of self-efficacy.
Improving teacher motivation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve student learning outcomes.
By shining a spotlight on teachers’ work, we elevate the teaching profession, foster deep motivation, and unlock the untapped potential of educators to lead meaningful, scalable change.
What is the Malaysia Teacher Prize (MTP)?
The Malaysia Teacher Prize (MTP) is more than just an award. It is a national platform that celebrates, uplifts, and invests in teachers as system leaders. Designed to elevate the status of the teaching profession, MTP recognises educators who are transforming their classrooms and communities through innovative, impactful leadership. Our theme, “The Power of a Teacher, The Potential of a Nation,” captures this belief: when teachers thrive, so does the nation. By shining a spotlight on their stories, we aim to spark a movement, one that empowers teachers to drive change, influence policy, and reimagine what’s possible in Malaysian education.
Eligibility Criteria
The Prize is open to teachers who meet a clear set of professional and teaching requirements, ensuring that applicants are actively contributing to Malaysia’s education system. 
Malaysian citizenship
Teach students that are in compulsory schooling who are between the ages of five and eighteen using the Malaysian National Syllabus
At least 3 years of teaching experience and plan to remain in the teaching profession for the next 5 years
Must teach at least 10 hours a week*
(*Teachers who hold leadership and special positions in schools are also encouraged to apply.)
Prize and Professional Development
Finalists of the Malaysia Teacher Prize receive financial support and targeted capacity-building opportunities to strengthen and scale their work. In addition to the prize fund, professional development workshops are designed to help teachers refine their ideas, grow their impact, and build their presence as system leaders within the education ecosystem.
RM75,000 prize fund to support the expansion of their initiatives
Professional Development workshops covering key areas:
- Building Sustainable Education Ideas
- Scaling Innovation and Initiatives
- Personal Branding
Thought Leadership Sessions
These sessions provide a platform for Finalists to share their stories, practices, and insights with fellow teachers, education stakeholders, and the broader community. They also serve as a bridge between classroom practice and policy, creating opportunities for teacher voices to inform discussions on education reform and system improvement.
Teacher Motivation
Teachers as Community Builders
Teachers in the Age of Social Media
Summit
biennial gathering that brings together teachers, policymakers, funders, and education stakeholders in a shared space for learning, dialogue, and collaboration. The Summit celebrates the contributions of teachers while amplifying their voices in shaping the future of education. It serves as both a recognition of excellence and a catalyst for collective action.
Keynote Speeches
Panel Sessions
Finalists’ Classroom Workshops
Prize Initiatives Impact Highlights
Impact Metrics
Impact Metrics
Leadership Position
Influence on an International Platform
High Level Policy Discussion
Impact Expansion
Global Recognition
Alumni Highlights
He started an entrepreneurial film-based programme that not only nurtured leadership and creativity among students but also successfully raised funds to purchase a boat, ensuring that students could reach school even during floods."
Cikgu Muhammad Nazmi
Winner of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2023
LEAD Fellowship Cohort 2 Participant
Cikgu Muhammad Nazmi, Winner of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2023, from SK Long Sebangang, Sarawak, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being named as one of the Top 10 Finalists for the prestigious 2025 Global Teacher Prize (GTP). Cikgu Nazmi is known for his innovation and dedication to educating the nation’s youth. One of his most inspiring initiatives is the Filpen Club, which not only empowers his students but also addresses local community challenges. While teaching at SK Luagan, Sarawak, he started an entrepreneurial film-based programme that taught students filmmaking, marketing, and financial literacy skills. This programme not only nurtured leadership and creativity among students but also successfully raised funds to purchase a boat, ensuring that students could reach school even during floods. Cikgu Nazmi is now working to expand this impact by organising the Filpen Festival in Sarawak to provide students across the state the opportunity to hone their creative skills through filmmaking.
Cikgu Nazmi’s educational journey has also been supported by PEMIMPIN’s initiatives. From 2021 to 2022, he participated in the Leadership, Enrichment, and Development (LEAD) Fellowship, a 10-month programme aimed at developing middle leaders in schools through evidence-based skills and best practices. During the GTP application period, Cikgu Nazmi also attended a support session organised by PEMIMPIN to help MTP Alumni effectively showcase their work.
Cikgu Anuthra’s faith in her students gave them the freedom and the opportunity to choose their path, and she believes every student has the potential and chance at innovation."
Cikgu Anuthra Sirisena
Winner of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2022
Cikgu Anuthra Sirisena is the winner of the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2022. She is a Chemistry teacher from Tenom who has developed a few innovations to assist her teaching, including the gamification method. The impact could be observed when SPM Chemistry became one of the top ten subjects with excellent results in Sabah. Cikgu Anuthra’s faith in her students gave them the freedom and the opportunity to choose their path, and she believes every student has the potential and chance at innovation.
She is also the founder of Tenom Innovation Centre (TIC) which started when she ventured into the world of robotics alongside her friend by training 24 students for the Young Innovators Challenge. This initiative later grew into TIC which currently involves 12 teachers and 40 mentors from various secondary schools. To date, they have conducted more than 40 workshops and training sessions and have upskilled more than 2000 teachers and students in coding and robotics. Cikgu Anuthra has expanded TIC into 12 out of 24 districts in the state of Sabah through coaching and using the prize money as seed funds to support the teachers in each district.
Within his classroom, he integrates sustainability concepts via activities ranging from calculating electricity bills to automated plant watering with Microbit. "
Cikgu Khou Jerome
Top 10 Finalist of Malaysia Teacher Prize 2023
Cikgu Khou Jerome, a Top 10 Finalist of MTP 2023 is a steadfast teacher who ardently works in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Within his classroom, he integrates sustainability concepts via activities ranging from calculating electricity bills to automated plant watering with Microbit. Along with a few teachers from various schools who are passionate in ESD, they co-founded an NGO called the Green Educator’s Workgroup (GREW) in 2021 that focuses on ESD and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for schools in Penang.
Under his tenure as GREW’s President, more than 50 activities / programs related to ESD have been carried out and they have benefited more than 10,000 students.