By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 15: Bringing swimming pools, beaches, and even airplanes into his classroom may sound extraordinary, but for Cikgu Muhammad Nazmi Rosli, it’s all part of making education real and relatable for rural students.
The 32-year-old English teacher and senior administrative assistant at SK Long Sebangang in Lawas was honoured with the prestigious ‘Anugerah Khas Menteri Pendidikan’ at the 54th National Teacher’s Day Awards Ceremony held at the Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre (HEEC) here today.
He received a RM15,000 cash award in recognition of his innovative and empathetic approach to teaching in a remote school setting.
Nazmi, the sole recipient from Sarawak this year, is known for implementing contextual learning, an approach that recreates real-world scenarios within the classroom to enhance student engagement and understanding.
“For students who have never been to a swimming pool, we create one in class. For those who’ve never been to a beach, we simulate a beach and turn the entire classroom into a seaside environment.
“For others unfamiliar with train stations, we borrow bunk beds to recreate one,” he told reporters when met after the awards ceremony.
Nazmi said the method helps bridge experience gaps often faced by students in interior areas, making lessons more meaningful and inclusive.
The goal, he said, is not just academic achievement, but fostering empathy, human values, and practical life skills.
“Students don’t just bring home knowledge. They carry back human values that can be practised at home,” he added.
With eight years of teaching experience in a rural environment, Nazmi emphasised that the biggest challenge is not limited resources but changing mindsets, especially among educators themselves.
“Everything can be solved as long as you have the right mindset, the passion, and the empathy. Those qualities are more important than any material resource,” he said.
Nazmi’s dedication has also earned him international recognition. He was recently named among the ‘Top 10 Finalists of the Global Teacher Prize 2024’, held in Dubai. It was a life-changing experience that allowed him to meet inspiring educators from around the world.
Originally from Lawas, Sarawak, Nazmi drew inspiration from his mother, Rahimah, who was also a teacher, as well as from two of his former English teachers who helped him overcome his initial dislike for the subject.
“I used to think English was difficult. But my teachers created a learning environment where we could speak comfortably, and that slowly changed my perspective,” he shared.
Despite the obstacles of teaching in a rural setting, Nazmi believes that with empathy, effort, and creativity, teachers can transform the lives of their students one lesson at a time.
“We wouldn’t be here today without our fellow teachers, the dedicated educators who are agents of change and champions of educational reform.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all teachers, not only in Malaysia but around the world,” he said. — DayakDaily
