As guardians and guiding lights for every young Malaysian, our teachers leave an indelible mark on each student that passes through the hallways of their schools. Theirs are lifelong lessons that not only shape each individual but form core values that are passed down from one generation to another. It is precisely this impact that was celebrated front and center at McDonald’s inaugural ‘Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s’.
Organised to coincide with the national Teacher’s Day festivities, ‘Anugerah Guru Inspirasi McDonald’s’ recognized six outstanding teachers, nominated by their students, with awards comprising gift certificates and cash rewards worth up to more than RM30,000 in total. Picked from a formidable pool of almost 1,000 entries, the nominees of these teachers won over McDonald’s with their impassioned accounts of how their teacher has been an inspiration to their lives.
Award winners Cikgu Azman Abdul Manaf from SK Pos Musuh LZ, Tapah, Perak; Cikgu Muhammad Ashraf Ahmad from SMK Alang Iskandar, Bagan Serai, Perak; Cikgu Fong Wai Kit from SJK(C) Kuen Cheng, Kuala Lumpur; Cikgu Mohd Azri Elias from SMK Jelutong, Pulau Pinang; Cikgu Melvin Yeoh Chian Yik from SMK Puteri Wangsa, Ulu Tiram, Johor and Cikgu Jayanthi Rani A/P Muniandy from SK Taman Muhibbah, Kulai, Johor were surprised with their awards while in a special school ceremony on Teacher’s Day.
McDonald’s also presented a Special Teacher’s Award to Cikgu Suraya Abdul Rahim from SMK Seri Kota Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Johor for her immense support towards helping a young teen who was seeking temporary shelter in a snooker center where her mother works in. Cikgu Suraya took the less fortunate student under her wing by guiding her tirelessly on and off school to ensure she completes her SPM. Her inspirational story went viral recently, when the student scored 6As in SPM.
“As a family restaurant that strongly believes in helping to supporting a future where our children can excel and prosper, McDonald’s Malaysia recognizes and appreciates the role that teachers play in guiding and nurturing our young generation. Teachers are an endless source of inspiration and we owe it to them for who we all are today,” said Azmir Jaafar, Managing Director / Operating Partner of McDonald’s Malaysia.
In addition to the award, McDonald’s also organized a series of motivational seminars entitled ‘Guru Pembina Generasi Terbilang’ with popular motivational speaker Dato’ Dr Hj Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah as part of this year’s Teachers’ Day celebration. Entering its second edition this year, the seminar was held in Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Klang and soon to be Penang, Melaka and Johor.
The series of programmes driven by McDonald’s corresponds with Shift 9 under the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 that aims to collaborate with parents, community and the private sector to continuously provide all Malaysian citizens with equal access to quality education that form highly-skilled, knowledgeable and united Malaysians.
In addition to that, McDonald’s will also be hosting local Teacher’s Day celebrations for teachers in schools neighboring its over 261 restaurants nationwide.