Inspirational Teachers In Kedah & Sabah Help Students RISE Above Challenges
The RISE Educator Award celebrates educators who are making a difference in the lives of students.
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The RISE Educator Award organised by Taylor’s College and its student engagement arm, The Risers, recently crowned the winners of its two categories: RISE Educator of the Year and RISE Educator Award, at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus.
This year, the RISE Educator of the Year title was awarded to Cikgu Kumaresan Muniandy, a special needs teacher from Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Merbok Kedah.
Cikgu Kumaresan started the ‘Hello School to Work’ program in 2018 to equip special needs children with vocational training to seamlessly transition into the workforce.
Collaborating with supportive parents and industry partners, the project has successfully trained and secured employment for 20 students so far.
That same year, he spearheaded ‘Projek School Enterprise Kedai Dobi OKU’ to foster entrepreneurial skills, as students were trained to operate their own laundry businesses.
Two students from this initiative are now working at the school’s cooperative, a testament to Cikgu Kumaresan’s unwavering commitment to empowering students with disabilities towards self-sufficiency.
His inspiring journey of providing vocational training for children with special needs to ensure their smooth transition to the workforce captivated the hearts of the award’s panel of judges.
This journey began simply as a response to a mother’s concerns, a desire to help my students to transition into the workforce. Working with these incredible young individuals, teaching them entrepreneurial skills, and instilling confidence to support themselves is a privilege. I am honoured to receive this award and am humbled that the judges were touched by the efforts that we have pioneered. I will continue to support children with special needs and ensure that they are appreciated and valued for the unique talents they possess.
Cikgu Kumaresan
The ceremony also saw Cikgu Velerie from SK Bingkor, Sabah, bringing home the title RISE Educator Award.
He is a special education teacher at SK Bingkor, Sabah, who is a State Cultural Icon and enjoys performance arts.
He is also active in the production of special education modules and is committed to educating students, especially special needs students in the interior areas of Sabah.
The RISE Educator Award is currently in its third year celebrating educators in the nation who are making a difference in the lives of students by empowering and supporting them in accessing and attaining education.  Â
Five finalists were selected from over 200 inspiring stories, and in recognition of their endeavours to ensure inclusivity and equity for all students, Taylor’s College awarded RM10,000 each to the finalists’ schools.Â
The RISE Educator of the Year title was chosen by the award’s judging panel, while the RISE Educator Award title was chosen through popular voting. For more information about RISE Educator Award, go HERE.
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