Nur Syafienaz Makes History As First Orang Asli To Study TESL At IPG Kota Bharu

KOTA BHARU, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The dream of a high-achieving Orang Asli student from the Temiar tribe to become a teacher is now a step closer to reality, as 18-year-old Nur Syafienaz Nazri has enrolled at the Kota Bharu Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG).

The student, from Kampung Lambok, Kuala Betis in Gua Musang, said she would make the most of this opportunity to show the next generation that education is a powerful tool to change her family’s future.

“Since I was little, I have always aspired to become a teacher, and have been especially interested in English, as not many people in my village are able to master the language,” she said.

“I studied hard and achieved 8As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year. Without thinking twice, I applied for IPG. Alhamdulillah, my application was accepted,” she said when met by reporters at the IPG Kota Bharu Campus in Pengkalan Chepa, today.

The eldest of four siblings said that she began seriously working to master English in Form Four, by learning through social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, alongside continuous support from her school teachers.

“I am grateful to be able to further my studies at IPG, in the Bachelor of Teaching (Hons) Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) for Primary Education.

“I hope more Orang Asli children will open their minds, step out of their comfort zones, and strive for excellence in education. Don’t be shy about learning and making changes,” she said, accompanied by her mother Siti Norsyakila Kamarzaman, 36.

Siti Norsyakila expressed hope that her daughter will adapt well to her new environment, study diligently, and achieve excellent results.

Meanwhile, the director of IPG Kota Bharu Campus, Dr Narita Mohd Noor, said that Nur Syafienaz is the first Orang Asli student to be offered a place in the Bachelor of Teaching at the campus.

“I am proud to welcome high-achieving Orang Asli students who applied for the TESL programme. This is an extraordinary achievement, as not many are able to master English, or show interest in it. Previously, those who pursued higher education often chose Bahasa Melayu or other fields,” she said.

She added that a total of 529 new students enrolled at IPG Kota Bharu Campus this year, compared with just over 200 last year.

-- BERNAMA