M'sian rural school teacher receives 2021 Princess Maha Chakri Award

ALOR SETAR, Nov 13 -- A science teacher from SMK Jerlun near Kubang Pasu has won the 2021 Princess Maha Chakri Award.

Norhailmi Abdul Mutalib, 40, who received the award on Oct 29, said he won the award based on his achievements in cultivating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies digitally among students, teachers and the community.

“I was selected to receive the award after submitting nominations last year, where each state had to send two teacher candidates, and eventually my name was shortlisted among the top five candidates.

"After that, I had to go through a documentation session, presentation as well as an interview process and a visit by KPM (Ministry of Education) officers to the school before being selected by the ministry to be the national representative for this award," he told reporters today.

The award is given by the Princess Maha Chakri Foundation of Thailand to dedicated teachers in ASEAN and Timor Leste.

Norhailmi, who has 15 years of experience in teaching, received the award at the Thai Consulate in Penang, bringing home a medal, trophy, certificate and US $ 10,000 (RM41,535) in cash. 

The award ceremony which usually takes place at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The teacher who hails from Simpang Empat, Perlis, and has received numerous other awards and accolades, also thanked the staff of SMK Jerlun, the State Education Department and KPM as well as fellow teachers in the country for helping and inspiring him to receive the award.

-- BERNAMA