TEACH FOR MALAYSIA : SUPPORT YOUNG LEADERS TO TEACH

Teach For Malaysia, identified as key human capital development initiative in 10th Malaysia Plan, was launched in December 2010. It aims to attract and develop Malaysia’s most promising future leaders in its mission of eliminating education inequity in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, 28 July 2011 – Leading corporations in Malaysia such as General Electric, Maxis, McKinsey & Company and PwC have stepped forward to join Khazanah Nasional in support of Teach For Malaysia’s effort to recruit 50 of Malaysia’s most promising future leaders for the challenging and highly selective two year Fellowship. YB Datuk Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Deputy Minister of Education today announced the 17 highneed schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan where Fellows (participants) will teach full-time for two years beginning in January 2012. These include SMK Tinggi Setapak (KL), SMK Gemas (Negeri Sembilan) and SMK Pulau Ketam (Selangor). “High need schools are identified as schools with an under-performing academic track record with a high proportion of students coming from low-income families. However, the selected schools are blessed with principals who are determined to transform their schools with Teach For Malaysia Fellows” he added. He was proud that Malaysians from both local and foreign universities such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Cambridge University and Melbourne University have accepted offers to join the Fellowship. YAM Tunku Ali Redhauddin, Teach For Malaysia Foundation’s Trustee, highlighted that the programme serves as a viable public-private partnership platform to attract an untapped talent pool into the teaching profession. “The Foundation is part of a global movement to tackle the challenge of education inequity – the problem that a child’s background often determines his or her outcome in life – a challenge that must be solved collaboratively by the government, the private sector and the youth of Malaysia” Commenting on the partnership with Teach For Malaysia, Senior Vice-President and Chief Talent Officer of Maxis, Ms. Kala says, “Teaching is fundamental to building leadership. Maxis is delighted to partner with Teach For Malaysia on this fantastic noble purpose that provides leadership building whilst at the same time advocates for education equity.” “Today, more than ever, educating and developing our young are crucial elements in Malaysia's growth and transformation journey - It’s only natural that PwC supports Teach For Malaysia's mission of transforming ourstanding graduates into inspirational and effective leaders across all fields” says Dato' Seri Johan Raslan, Executive Chairman, PwC Malaysia. Stuart Dean, President, ASEAN Region of General Electric further explained “At GE, we believe quality education helps build a strong and diverse citizenry to work and live in an increasingly competitive world. We are proud to be a part of this exciting program and the opportunity to help Malaysia’s brightest minds contribute to developing the country’s next generation of leaders and thus, shape the future of Malaysia.” Dato’ Wee Ka Siong also highlighted that Teach For Malaysia’s inaugural training, held at Institut Aminuddin Baki, would commence in November with alumni from Teach For America and Teach First (UK) delivering an innovative blend of initial teacher training and leadership development as Fellows work towards their teaching certification. Top graduates and young professionals are invited to submit their applications online at www.teachformalaysia.org by 15 August. About Teach For Malaysia Teach For Malaysia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that is enlisting Malaysia’s most promising future leaders in our mission to end education inequity. The Teach For Malaysia Fellowship is a two-year, full-time and fully-paid leadership development programme modelled after the extremely successful Teach For America initiative. We are one of 19 partners of the prestigious global education network Teach For All. Teach For Malaysia is selecting 50 of Malaysia’s most outstanding future leaders for our inaugural intake in January 2012.